Collaborative Ideas, Real Impact.

Project Dignity began on February 14, 2022, as an effort to build meaningful community between housed and unhoused neighbors through shared food, resources, and conversation. Our first gathering, Mondays Matter, started simply—cookies, coffee, and hot chocolate shared with a small group of unhoused neighbors at MacArthur Park in Central Long Beach, California. From those early moments, relationships formed and connections to resources followed.

Mondays Matter turned into an additional Welcome Wednesdays. Some days, there were 20-40 people and other days, we saw 80-100+ people experiencing homelessness. 

From 2022-2024, Project Dignity grew into a reliable source of mutual aid, peer connection, and support. Advocating for implementation of links to city-led resources, system navigation assistance, and neighbor-to-neighbor care. Often grounded in something as essential as being present and listening.

Through this work, Project Dignity has helped foster collaboration among neighborhood associations, community-based organizations, faith groups, volunteers, and local government partners. While we recognize that grassroots mutual aid alone cannot replace the systemic solutions needed to end homelessness, we believe dignity, connection, and hope matter. These efforts serve as both immediate care and a bridge, as we continue to advocate for a coordinated, city-wide and regional Strategic Master Plan for Homelessness.

Collaboration over the years have included efforts from Peer Education Community Center, Climb Central LB (formerly known as AOC7), Beacon for Him, CJC-LDS, Rescue Mission, Care Closet, City of Long Beach, County Supervisor for District 4, Long Beach Green Room, Beinstar, The Breakfast Bar, Johnny Rebs, WeHope Showers & Laundry, and Shower of Hope.