Welcome To CIL
Long Beach Community Improvement League
“Leaves No Child Behind”,
as we approach our 45th Anniversary Celebration!
The Long Beach Community Improvement League (CIL),
“the oldest anti-poverty agency in Long Beach,” is a nonprofit
501(c)(3) community-based social service organization established in 1964.
For forty years, CIL has excelled at its mission: “to
create quality public service programs that empower the community economically,
socially, and culturally.” Our innovative programs have
transformed the lives of thousands of children and families living in
economically disadvantaged areas. By working with community residents
hand in hand, we have empowered individuals to help themselves.
We are very proud to offer high quality Child Development Services,
Before and After school Care, Teacher Training for welfare recipients,
and Job Training & Placement Services to low-income, unemployed, hard–to-employ,
and under-employed individuals.
Our Long Beach Child Development Facility, the
jewel of our community, attains the highest standards in
early education, parent education, and child nutrition program. We
are so excited to begin offering this same degree of excellence in child
development, parent education, and community services in our sister City
of Signal Hill at our brand new state-of
–the-art facility.
The outstanding array of programs CIL provides has earned praise and
acclaim from our city, state, and nationally elected officials. We invite
you to browse our web site and explore CIL's history, present programs,
and future endeavors.
Happy Anniversary, CIL!
1964-2004
We are so happy to announce our Fortieth Anniversary of “working with
you hand in hand.”
At our December celebration, Mayor Beverly O'Neill presented
a Certificate of Recognition to Long Beach Community Improvement League
for providing quality services to low-income individuals in the City of
Long Beach since 1964.
 On
behalf of the Long
Beach Community Improvement League, Farah
Naz Khaleghi received a Certificate of Recognition for CIL's outstanding
efforts in the community from Assemblymember Alan Lowenthal's representative,
District Director Helene Ansel.
City of Long Beach Councilmember Laura Richardson
awarded the Long Beach Community Improvement League with a Certificate
of Appreciation for forty years of dedication to the community,and
providing services that empower and assist low-income individuals to develop
successful professional careers.
 We
were praised for our services and congratulated by our elected city and
state officials, as well as by our Governor and President. Colleen Bentley-Adler,
Treasurer of our Board of Directors, read aloud a letter of congratulations
from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who recognized Long Beach
Community Improvement League's success in positively impacting thousands
of lives over the past forty years of community service.
It's Hot Off the Presses:
Long Beach Oldest Community
Organization Opens A New State-Of -The Art Child Care Facility In Signal
Hill
Signal Hill Facility Outdoors
Unexpected Visit From
Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald
Long Beach Community Improvement League (CIL) has just
opened its most unique and state-of-the-art child care facility at Las
Brisas Community Housing Project in Signal Hill. On Monday, October 4,
the Center had an unexpected visit from Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald
and her District Director Terry Stinson. CIL Executive Director Farah
Naz Khaleghi, Program Director Lisa Watanabe, and Controller Richard Cook
greeted the guests at the new facility. After a complete tour of the facility,
the congresswoman expressed that she is delighted and happy to see such
a beautiful facility in this area of Signal Hill for our young children
to learn, develop, and enjoy.
Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald
District Director Terry Stinson, and
CIL Executive Director Farah Naz Khaleghi
In Signal Hill Facility Classroom
CIL's Board Chair Ahmed Saafir
Shortly after arriving in Long Beach in 1966, one day
Ahmed Saafir was walking down Olive Avenue and discovered the History
Classes being held at 2222 Olive Avenue . Having a curious
mind, he found out
that a lot more was going on there than the history classes.
There was movement afoot and history being made at the Long Beach Community
Improvement League, The League, 2222 Olive Avenue . It was then
and there that he met Dr. Harvey Williams and learned about the
Civil Rights movement. While attending California State
University Long Beach, he began tutoring at The League's very
unique Project Tutor, a project to aid school-age children academically,
socially, and personally. Ahmed worked with the project, touring young
students who came from all around the city desperately seeking help with
their schoolwork and studies. Showing promise and dedication, he then
was promoted to the Educational Service Director, overseeing all educational
programs at The League, 2222 Olive Avenue . Years later, after
becoming a successful businessman, Mr. Saafir returned to The League,
2222 Olive Avenue to give back by becoming a board member. He is
currently the Long Beach Community Improvement League's Chairperson of
the board, with facilities at 2222 Olive Avenue, 2399 California
Avenue, and 320 Pine Avenue.
******************************
Duane Ryan Johns, 1
st Prize Winner
Long Beach City College and Long Beach NAACP
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest, January 2007
Contest Theme: Essay about a “Local
Organization Striving To Achieve Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr.'s Dream of a Beloved Community with an Ultimate Goal of Integration”
Duane Ryan Johns Essay about our beloved “Long
Beach Community Improvement League (CIL) ” was
the 1 st Prize Winner. Essays were reviewed and selected by a panel of
Long Beach College and community members
Sponsored by: Long
Beach City College Foundation Grant
Long Beach Cultural Affairs
Council
Long Beach NAACP
Please click here to read
the essay: Duane
Johns Essay
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Congratulations to the
President-Elect of the United States, Barack Obama
&
Vice-President
Joe Biden
CIL's Honors and Awards
Congratulations to CIL's Executive
Director
Once again we are all excited at CIL as our Executive Director, Dr. Farah
Naz Khaleghi, has been selected to receive an award of special congressional
recognition for outstanding services to the community from the US Congresswoman
Juanita Millender-McDonald at the 2 nd Annual Congressional Community
Pride Awards. The event will take place on Saturday August 6, 2006 at
the Carson Community Center. Congratulations!!!
On April 13, 2006, once again, CIL was recognized for its outstanding
services to the community by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
at the Public Meeting of the 77 th Regional Conference at Hyatt Regency
Long Beach with about 900 people from 17 different states in attendance.
Dr. Khaleghi received the award on CIL's behalf.
On June 4, 2005 CIL was honored by Theta Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority for outstanding achievement and community service
in the area of education and received the 2005 Pearl Award. CIL's executive
director Dr. Farah Naz Khaleghi was also recognized for her outstanding
service to the community and leadership, and was presented with the Award
of Commendation in a ceremony held at the Long Beach Marriott Hotel.
Dr. Farah Naz Khaleghi
Receiving NAACP Award
October 15, 2004, Long Beach Hilton Hotel
October 15, 2004 - Our Executive Director,
Dr. Farah Naz Khaleghi, was thrilled to be the
recipient of the NAACP's Zelma A. Lipscomb Community Service Award.
She was honored at the NAACP 25th Freedom Fund Banquet on Friday,
October 15th, at the Long Beach Hilton Hotel. The event started
with a reception and memory walk held at 6 p.m., and was followed by dinner
and presentations at 7:30 p.m. As our representative at the Long Beach
Community Improvement League, Dr. Khaleghi was recognized for her services
to the community for the second time this year. In addition to a beautiful
plaque from the NAACP honoring her, She received Certificates of Recognition
and Awards from:
State of California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger,
California State Senate, Senator Debra Bowen & Senator Betty Karnette,
County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors, Supervisor Gloria Molina
& Chairman of the
Board, Don Knabe,
California State Assembly, Assemblymembers,
Alan Lowenthal & Jenny Oropeza,
U.S. House of Representatives, Congressmembers Juanita Millender-McDonald
& Linda Sanchez, and
City of Long Beach Mayor Beverly O'Neill,and Councilmembers: Bonnie
Lowenthal 1st District, Frank Colonna 3rd District, Tonia Reyes Uranga
7th District, Rae Gabelich-8th District, & Val Lerch 9th District.
We want to thank all our elected officials, community partners, friends,
and supporters
who joined a full house in celebrating this wonderful NAACP event.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to the Long Beach Branch NAACP
for this great honor.
Congratulations to CIL's Board
Chair
In July 2004, Ahmed Saafir, CIL's Board Chair,
was appointed to the Civil Service Commission.
A welcoming reception was held on July 7, at the Long Beach City Hall,
attended by the city department heads and community residents, to welcome
the newly appointed Commissioner Saafir. We wish Mr. Saafir great success
in his appointment.
"I can't be what I ought to be until you
are what you ought to be."
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 2005 - As a grassroots community agency, we truly understand
and embrace the above theme for the 17th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr. Birthday Unity Parade and Celebration. CIL is honored and delighted
to be participating in this event for the second year
in a row. At last year's event, our very own Executive Director,
Dr. Farah Naz Khaleghi, was honored as the Grand Marshall for the Sixth
District. Children, parents, and staff were all thrilled to march in the
parade, which ended at King Park with a beautiful awards presentation.
View the photo album for snapshots from the
parade and celebration!
CIL's board, staff, children , and
families Marching in Dr.King Parade January 17, 2004
* * * * * * *
The Passing Of
Mrs. Frances Rains
Memorial Service for Ms. Frances
Rains
was held on Friday, June 16, 2006
at 6 PM
Grant
AME Church
1129 Alamitos Avenue
Long Beach CA 90813
The Service Was Open
To The Public
Long Beach Community Improvment
League
Hosted A Reception Following The
Service
Rains
helped civil rights
On behalf of the Long Beach Community Improvement League (CIL) board
of directors, staff, families, and children, it is with deepest sorrow
to announce the passing of our dear Mrs. Frances Rains, Board Chair Emeritus.
She passed away on Sunday, May 21, 2006, at the age of 95. She was a pioneer
nurse, businessperson, volunteer, and an educator who diligently served
our community, families and children. She dedicated many years to the
cultivation of our CIL's mission, “to create quality public service programs
to empower the community economically, socially, and culturally.”
Mrs. Rains was born on January 29, 1911, as Frances Mary McHie. Her career
and accomplishments span over a period of 70 years. She was the first
black woman to attend and graduate from the University of Minnesota School
of Nursing in 1932. Mrs. Rains was also the first black employee to hold
a supervisor position at the outpatient clinic for Minnesota General Hospital.
She served as Associate Professor, and assistant to the Director at Nashville's
Meharry Medical College, and Director of Nursing Service for their Hubbard
Hospital.
Mrs. Rains married Dr. Horace Rains, and was the mother of two children.
They moved to Southern California, where in 1953, she became the first
Black woman to teach at the School of Nursing for the University of Southern
California General Hospital in Los Angeles. She became a real estate broker
in 1972, and owned a Century 21 franchise.
Mrs. Rains was a former board member of the Long Beach Children's Psychiatric
Clinic, American Nurses Association, Harbor Area Chapter of Links, and
the National Council of Negro Women. She was a member of Grant AME Church
for nearly 50 years. She also served as an officer for the Long Beach
NAACP. She was the chair of the Long Beach Community Improvement League
Board of Directors, and worked tirelessly until 2004 when health problems
did not allow her to continue any longer.
She was a phenomenal woman and will be greatly missed.
Please check our website for more details of the upcoming services.
CIL Executive Director & Board Chair
State Subsidized Child Care And
Development Services For Families Displaced
By Hurricane Katrina
From Groundbreaking
To Grand Opening
December 9, 2004 - Our Grand
Opening Ceremony and reception was held on Thursday, December 9th, from
3:30 to 7:30 pm. Following a welcome from CIL Executive Director Dr. Farah
Khaleghi and LACDC Executive Director Robin Hughes, remarks were made
by Signal Hill Mayor Ellen Ward.
Remarks were also made by Ray Resiler,
Executive Director of the S. Mark Taper Foundation. He was presented with
commemorative plaques from CIL and LACDC, in gratitude of the Foundation's
tremendous and invaluable contribution to the construction of the center.
Mr. Reisler was also presented with a collection of children's books to
be donated to the children of Las Brisas Childcare Center.
Presentations were made to CIL and
LACDC by representatives from the offices of Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald,
Senator Alan Lowenthal, and Assemblymember Jenny Oropeza. Support
for this project also came from the Long Beach business community, community
leaders, and local residents. All were able to tour classrooms and see
firsthand the dedication and diligence that went into every detail of
this beautiful child care center. The Press Telegram and Signal Hill Tribune
provided press coverage for this event. View pictures on our Child Care
Facilities page!
Applications for enrollment for children
aged 2-12 are being accepted now. For more information, contact our office
at (562)426-8897 or (562)951-3500.
Long Beach Community Improvement
League (CIL) and
Los Angeles Community Design Center (LACDC)
December 9th, 2004 Opening Ceremony
Las Brisas Child Care Center
A Gift of the S. Mark Taper Foundation
Press Release
December9OpeningCeremonyPressRelease
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