Long Beach City College opened their new Social Justice Intercultural Center on the lower level of the LAC Building E last month. Students can use the center to work on their studies, find helpful resources, and also grab snacks and drinks if needed.
The center provides students with board games, film screenings, webinars, computer access, printing resources, and cubicles for resource programs, such as Basic Needs or the Justice Scholars.
The Basic Needs program also provides a grab-and-go station for students to take snacks and drinks when they need them, as well as a fridge stocked with grocery items for students to have.
There are cubicles lined up along the wall for different programs on campus to reserve. The programs send a representative for them, that way students are able to meet directly with them there in a private space, making the resources more accessible.
The center is a part of the Student Equity departments initiative to create more resources for students.
“We will be hosting more events later on. My goal is to have more identity focused workshops, socials, mixers, and community building,” Itzel Marin said, who works in the center.
The Student Equity departments goal is to create and sustain an inclusive culture on campus that enables students to thrive and be their best.
“The Social Justice Intercultural Center is intentional about meeting the non-cognitive, social, and environmental needs of our diverse student population,” Eric Becerra said, Interim Director of Student Equity.
The Social Justice Center’s focus is on LBGTQI+ students, Asian Pacific American students, Indiginous Black students, and Latinx students.
“We hope to positively impact retention, persistence, and completion among our most disproportionately impacted populations, namely Black/African American, Latina/o/x, LGBTQI+, Asian Pacific Islander DESI, and Native American students,” Becerra said.
The Social Justice Intercultural Center promotes social justice, education, culturally responsive support, community building, and leadership development for all students.
“This space is to promote equity, a space for community building, and a place for students to learn more about their identities,” Marin said.
The center has not had too many visitors yet, since their opening last month. This is a space for students to speak freely, feel accepted, and utilize resources to better their experience on campus.
The Social Justice Intercultural Center is open now Monday through Thursday, 8am – 5pm.