Care Closet LBC Honored as 2024 California Nonprofit of the Year
- June 4, 2024
- By Ricky Hurtado
Long Beach, CA – Care Closet LBC is proud to announce its selection as a 2024 California Nonprofit of the Year by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal of the 69th District. This prestigious recognition is awarded to over one hundred nonprofits by state senators and assemblymembers for their outstanding contributions to their communities.
Registered in 2020 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Care Closet LBC has a clear and ambitious mission: assisting and serving the unhoused community in Long Beach. By staying responsive to the evolving needs of the homeless population, Care Closet LBC remains committed to the dignity and well-being of individuals living on the streets, in encampments, and in shelters.
“Care Closet LBC acknowledges homelessness as a multifaceted health crisis, deeply intertwined with various social and economic factors. We approach unhoused individuals as complete beings with dreams and aspirations, rather than mere statistics. Our vision is to facilitate their journey toward increased self-reliance, self-sufficiency, and self-worth. The significant impact we achieve is driven by our committed volunteers, whose dedication makes our mission possible.” – Duke Givens, Founder & President, Care Closet LBC.
Homelessness in California is a critical issue, with an estimated 161,548 individuals experiencing homelessness on any given night, according to the 2020 Annual Homeless Assessment Report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This represents nearly one-third of the nation’s homeless population. The crisis is compounded by high housing costs, economic instability, and a lack of adequate support services. It underscores the urgent need to continue fighting homelessness with love, compassion, and innovative solutions.
“Nonprofit organizations touch the lives of millions of Californians in ways that often go unrecognized. From childcare programs to soccer teams, from art classes to health clinics, and from community organizers to animal shelters – nonprofits improve the lives of all Californians and make our communities stronger,” said Geoff Green, CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits), a partner in this initiative. “Nonprofits are also a key economic driver in our state, accounting for 1 in 14 jobs. It’s important to recognize all they do.”
According to “Causes Count,” a 2019 report commissioned by CalNonprofits, the nonprofit sector is the fourth largest industry in California, employing over 1.2 million people. Each year, California nonprofits generate more than $273 billion in revenue and attract $40 billion from outside the state. The unpaid labor contributed by volunteers at nonprofits is equivalent to 330,000 full-time jobs annually.
Now in its ninth year, the California Nonprofit of the Year initiative provides each state legislator with the opportunity to recognize a nonprofit organization doing outstanding work in their district. The program culminates with a celebratory luncheon at the Capitol on California Nonprofits Day, which this year is on June 5.
The program is sponsored by CalNonprofits in partnership with the state Senate and Assembly Select Committees on the Nonprofit Sector. As the leading policy voice for California’s nonprofit sector, CalNonprofits focuses on advocacy, education, and research to build a more powerful and politically engaged nonprofit network across the state.
Together, we can address the complexities of homelessness with compassion and action, ensuring a brighter future for all Californians
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