In the last month, the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach received a huge wave of funding—$35,000, in fact—as it also hired two key staffers with funding provided earlier this year, the Center announced this week.
Chiefly, Ellen Hartwick was hired as the organization’s new clinical director, and Long Beach’s own domestic violence advocate Giovanna Martinez was recruited to serve as the Domestic Violence Services Manager.
“Our partnerships with foundations are instrumental to ensuring we are able to carry out our mission to provide support, affirmation, and community to everyone walking through our doors,” said The Center’s executive director Porter Gilberg in a statement. “We are incredibly thankful to everyone who invests in our mission to engage, empower, and advocate for a more equitable society for LGBTQ people and communities.”
The large funding wave came from four different foundations, according to The Center, including the Halo Award, which has granted the organization $25,000 through a competitive application process.
The organization also received $5,000 from the Pacific Life Foundation, $5,000 from the Wells Fargo Foundation and more than $2,000 from Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride to support ongoing efforts to serve those most in need in Long Beach, according to The Center.
The new staff members bring both experience and additional support brought on by an influx of funds from the Johnson Family Foundation this year—$20,000, to be exact.
Hartwick comes to The Center after nearly 20 years of working in the field of mental health, advocacy and support to children, youth and adult survivors of trauma, The Center stated. She’s worked with The Center previously, providing expertise in creating its educator’s guidebook on transgender students, currently used in the Long Beach Unified School District. She also provides training and consultation on intimate partner violence at The Children’s Clinic of Long Beach.
Martinez has worked for over 10 years in the field of intimate partner violence support, education and prevention, and has been hired at The Center to manage the agency’s new domestic violence program, which has been funded by a three-year grant from the California Office of Emergency Services. Organizations have recognized her for her work in violence prevention, including End Abuse Long Beach and Soroptimist of Long Beach.
“I am incredibly honored to have been selected to lead The Center’s domestic violence services department,” said Martinez in a statement. “LGBTQ people continue to face incredible disparities in accessing support so I look forward to creating a program which speaks to the unique needs of our community.”
The Center serves more than 25,000 clients annually through a variety of direct services and cultural programs. For more information visit www.centerlb.org.