Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
As Migrant Children Set To Arrive In Long Beach, City Launches Volunteer Website
Detained immigrant children line up in the cafeteria at a temporary home for immigrant women and children detained at the border, in Karnes City, Texas.
(
Eric Gay
/
AP
)
The first migrant children who have been held at the U.S.-Mexico border are expected to arrive at the Long Beach Convention Center this week.
The city of Long Beach launched an online portal for people who wish to volunteer time, resources, or money to help out.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is running the shelter. The federal government covers the center’s operating costs, but Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia said there's been overwhelming interest from people who want to help.
"Any sort of donation or support goes to help the kids above and beyond what they're already getting from HHS,” he said. “An example might be, a child might receive maybe a gift card. On their way out of the shelter, that can provide them some support as they reunite with their family. [Another example is] additional educational supplies beyond what they might receive at HHS."
The convention center could temporarily house up to 1,000 children. Garcia said there will likely be several hundred children arriving every few days over the coming weeks.
The Fairplex in Pomona will also serve as a temporary shelter, housing up to 2,500 migrant children.
To donate, visit Long Beach’s Migrant Children Support Fund online. Officials are also accepting volunteers to help in the effort to reunite children with family or sponsors in the U.S.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
