Long Beach BLAST (Better Learning for All Students Today)

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made our 16th Annual Breakfast BLAST Fundraiser a success! 🌟 Special shout out to our courageous students who shared their stories! 🎤 We appreciate everyone who attended, generously donated, and supported us. Your contributions and presence made this event a tremendous success and help us continue our mission to make a difference in the lives of Long Beach youth. Thank you for being part of our journey! #Gratitude #CommunitySupport #EducationMatters #Breakfastblast2024 #cityoflongbeach

COLLEGE STUDENTS WANTED: Become a Mentor! 🤝 If you're passionate about giving back and helping young minds thrive, join our mentorship program. Your time and mentorship can help guide the next generation toward success! APPLY TODAY! There are hundreds of youth in Long Beach in need of an Academic Mentor It’s Easy to Get Started! Step 1: Apply Online! Step 2: Submit negative TB Test Results Step 3: Sign up for and attend an Orientation/Training Session Step 4: Pass a background check - covered by BLAST (More information will be provided at Orientation/Training Session) All it takes is… A genuine compassion and care for youth The ability to role model good behavior and encourage academic and personal growth A minimum commitment of 20 hours and 8 weeks Benefits of Mentoring: - Gain experience in the education field (Build your resume and skill set) - Network with likeminded individuals and potential employers - Make a difference in a student's life! *BLAST is an approved service-learning site for students seeking course credit Interested individuals can apply online: https://lnkd.in/guSWm5bP Spring 2024 Deadlines: CSU Applicants: 2/23/2024 Community College Applicants: 3/08/24 For more information, contact us at: Volunteer@lbblast.org

BLAST Mentor/Mentee Spotlight 🔦 "It has been an absolute joy to work with my incredibly talented 2nd grade student. One thing that really stands out about her is her exceptional skills in reading and writing as well as math. She has a natural talent for storytelling and her creativity knows no bounds. However, like many kids her age, she has faced some challenges along the way. One of the biggest hurdles she has encountered is a lack of confidence in herself. It's not uncommon for children to doubt their abilities, but it's our responsibility as mentors to help them believe in their potential. To address this, we've been working on building her self-esteem by highlighting her strengths and celebrating her accomplishments, no matter how small. I constantly remind her that every step forward is a victory, and that progress should be cherished. Through positive reinforcement and encouragement, we have seen her confidence grow and her self-belief flourish. I know these can be achieved but confidence takes time to develop, so it's important to be patient and supportive throughout her journey. In addition to her love for reading and writing, she has a deep passion for art. She is a true artist at heart, finding solace and joy in the world of colors and shapes. Looking towards the future, she has mentioned her sights on becoming an artist. I am confident that she will achieve great things in the art industry. Her journey will undoubtedly be filled with growth, challenges, and endless opportunities to explore new avenues of creative expression. As her mentor, I am incredibly proud of her progress and the strides she has made in both her artistic and personal development." - Jasmin G., CSULB Academic Mentor #academicmentor #mentorship #growth #communityimpact

Kudos to our team members Kassandra Beltran, MS & Angela Alvarez who are actively contributing to the community by generously sharing their expertise in mentorship! Their commitment to making a positive impact is truly commendable 👏 "The best way to thank a mentor is to pay it forward, by becoming a mentor yourself." – Anonymous

Our gratitude is overflowing! We can’t help but smile as we look back on our Hallow-Wine-BLAST event. It was an incredible evening, and it wouldn’t have been possible without you all— our amazing community. 🙌 Our community is a force to be reckoned with, and we’re truly fortunate to have your unwavering support. Together, we are creating a brighter future and making a positive impact in our community. Once again, thank you for making this event unforgettable. Your kindness and generosity inspire us every day. We can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together in the future 🚀💫 #longbeachblast #longbeachcommunity #educateinspireempower #educationispower #gratitude #togetherwemakeadifference #wineblastrecap