New Latino center in Long Beach helps youth and immigrant families

Martha Cota, an immigrant from Mexico, has been a community organizer in Long Beach for over 30 years and she is also a survivor.

She has survived domestic violence and trafficking. She has beaten cancer.

This weekend, she won another years-long fight. Cota, alongside city leaders and about 70 of her neighbors, cut the ribbon of  a new community space in the heart of Long Beach's immigrant Washington neighborhood, opening its doors to a slew of social programs.

The new space for the nonprofit organization Latinos in Action California offers youth programs, music and dance classes, gang prevention, meditation, business support, parenting education, immigration support and even make-up classes – all for free through in-house and partner organizations.

Officials in attendance included Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, council members Roberto Uranga and Suely Saro and staff from state offices.

With this new facility, Cota looks forward to being able to impact more women, families and youth.

“They can learn through the struggles that I went through,” Cota – the nonprofit’s executive director and founder – said in Spanish. “... They made me strong so I can then bring information, so that these women can have power and recognize that they are powerful.”

Previously, the nonprofit hustled to host workshops wherever they could for nine years: A park, a church or a school.

Now residents just need to turn the corner.

The Washington neighborhood is home to very low-income renters, panaderias, seafood restaurants and taco stands. The nonprofit addresses local gang issues through their Youth Empowerment Program.

The 90813 area code, where the space is, holds the city’s highest poverty rate. About 26% are in poverty and about 60% speak Spanish at home, according to 2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Many of them are immigrants – people very much like Cota.

“She's been very keen in reaching the moms that stay at home, where English is not a language that they dominate,” said Brenda Caloca, a lifelong Long Beach resident and former Latinos in Action California board member.

“These programs will help equip [moms who have] always dreamed of owning a business, of being an entrepreneur. It gives them the encouragement to do so,” she said.

Latinos in Action California hosts education and political advocacy programs, training immigrant mamás to engage leaders and speak up at city council or school board meetings to “influence our political arena and fight the right way. And not just by kicking and screaming,” Caloca said.

Community members now hope to attract new neighbors – and new leaders. Angelica Ramirez immigrated to Long Beach from Sonora and credits her life’s biggest wins to Cota. With a microphone in her hand, she smiled brightly and cried when speaking at the event.

“When people notice what this center is capable of, they’ll see that there’s open doors (opportunities) for everyone,” Ramirez said in Spanish, in an interview.

Years ago, Ramirez had lost her job. She took personal growth classes with Cota, working on a vision board for her future. She then took English and computer classes. She has now been running her flower decoration business for weddings and quinceañeras after putting together her vision board.

“Everything I put on that poster, thanks to God, I gained,” Ramirez said.

“I saw myself without a job, without money and with a dream. There’s dreams that begin with $39 and a person that wants to help you move forward,” she added.

In a statement sent to CALÓ News, Long Beach District 1 Councilwoman Mary Zendejas celebrated the opening.

“It will serve as a vibrant hub where community members can come together, access educational and empowerment programs, and foster leadership,” Zendejas said. “Latinos in Action works towards laying a foundation for a just society, starting here in the heart of Long Beach in District 1, in the Washington Neighborhood.”

The idea for a facility sparked in 2016 with conversations with city leaders at the time. Spotting a location to offer free programs proved difficult for Cota, community members said.

“I've seen her fight tooth and nail,” Caloca said. “Sometimes the capacity of the space wasn't big enough.”

Councilwoman Zendejas said she has taken initial steps alongside city staff to try to secure a youth community center nearby, while also working with Centro CHA, a Latino serving nonprofit, to establish a Latino cultural center in the district. There’s funding allocated, “but much more is needed,” Zendejas said.

“When I took personal growth classes,” Ramirez said, “that was one of things they made me realize, that I can have confidence in myself and I can achieve my dreams.”