Izzy Loves CityHeART

Originally a journalistic endeavor, CityHeART came to life along the bed of the Los Angeles River. A season of creative, non-fiction storytelling at the onset of 2016 served as the launch pad for a cohort of local artists whose original mission was to simply raise awareness of community issues. The series of art showcase events in the first quarter of 2016 left the artists feeling disconnected with the subjects of their work and dissatisfied with the contribution they were making in the community. Shortly thereafter, the organization began developing service and outreach programs that could better meet the needs of the individuals featured in the bodies of work. 

In 2019, CityHeART opened a Resource Hub on site at The Villages at Cabrillo. The Hub serves as an operation headquarters for the organization as well as a safe and relaxing resource available, not only to the more than 1500 residents living at The Villages, but also to members and clients of a handful of service providers off-site.

In 2020, the world faced the COVID-19 global pandemic. At first, it seemed as though CityHeART would have to close its doors inasmuch as indoor congregating was not allowed; however, CityHeART pivoted and began providing contactless delivery of essential resources. Supplies such as toilet paper, hand sanitizer, paper towels, and baby wipes were sold out everywhere. Many people were afraid or unable to leave their homes to buy groceries. In addition, after months of lockdown, people began to need something more to occupy their time. As a result, CityHeART volunteers delivered groceries, PPE, hygiene items, art supplies, clothing, and household goods to people in need.

The Resource Hub currently accepts referrals for support services from caseworkers working at Century Villages at Cabrillo, Mental Health America, the Long Beach Multi-Service Center, and Urban Community Outreach; upon receipt, the individual who has been referred is invited to an appointment at the Resource Hub, where he/she/they are welcomed as guests for a relaxing, socialization experience complete with a homemade meal and opportunities for therapeutic activities such as journaling, coloring, or pleasant conversation. Before leaving, each guest is provided with the resources immediately available (typically the immediate offerings include food, clothing, hygiene, household supports, computer access, laundry assistance, and/or provision of LB Transit TAP Cards); for additional supports needed, such as furniture items, the guests are contacted directly when those larger supports can be made available for them. Through the CityHeART Resource Hub, partnering caseworkers have a familiar and uplifting resource to refer their clients to when basic resources such as those described are needed in order to continue their clients’ ongoing success.