Edwin And Dorothy Baker Foundation

YOUTH PROGRAMS: Founded in 1970, DAYS Long Beach (DAYSLB) provides educational and developmental programs for underserved youth in Central and Downtown Long Beach. Originally established as a free summer day camp by Dorothy and Edwin Baker, the organization has evolved into a year-round service provider dedicated to supporting the physical, emotional, and academic growth of socioeconomically disadvantaged youth. DAYS Long Beach has grown to offer a wide range of programs and activities in three target areas: Education and Development, Leadership and Academic Success, and Community Engagement. that promote youth education, development, leadership, community engagement, and social responsibility. In Summer 2024, DAYS Long Beach enrolled 216 youth in a comprehensive enrichment program rooted in a whole-child approach. The curriculum focused on four key areas: Healthy Relationships, Environmental Health, College and Career Exploration, and Digital Safety. Participants engaged in interactive lessons, project-based learning, and discussions that built social-emotional skills, raised awareness of sustainability, and promoted safe online behavior. To support creative expression and reinforce learning, youth participated in art and craft activities connected to weekly themes. The program also included field trips to the California Science Center, local beaches, and the public library, offering experiential learning tied to environmental health, digital literacy, and wellness in nature. Evaluations and surveys throughout the summer indicated increased understanding of relationship-building, environmental responsibility, and postsecondary planning. Through a blend of hands-on activities, academic enrichment, and cultural experiences, the program nurtured personal growth, curiosity, and resilience in a safe and supportive environment.

Leadership & Academic Success: The Leaders Long Beach (LLB) program is a youth-led leadership initiative developed and facilitated by alumni of the Summer DAYS program. Designed for young people ages 1524, LLB provides a structured space for participants to build leadership capacity through weekly sessions focused on self-advocacy, identity, communication, civic engagement, and personal development. Many LLB participants are current or former students of the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), Long Beach City College (LBCC), and California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). A core feature of the program is its peer-to-peer model, which encourages participants to both receive and deliver life skills training aimed at strengthening academic, professional, and interpersonal outcomes. Youth leaders play a central role in shaping and refining the Summer DAYS curriculum by designing educational content and projects that reflect the evolving needs of their peers and communities. Through this hands-on, collaborative learning environment, LLB cultivates critical thinking, problem-solving, and project-based learning in a supportive, youth-driven setting. By engaging alumni as mentors and facilitators, LLB fosters a sustainable leadership pipeline that equips young people with the tools to lead both within the organization and beyond. Since 2018, DAYSLB has partnered with California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) to host service-learning students and interns through the Center for Community Engagement and College Corps. These students support youth programming, lead educational activities, assist in curriculum development, and contribute to violence prevention and wellness initiatives. Interns gain hands-on experience while delivering vital services to children and families in Long Beach.