Affiliated Groups
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels (MOW) is a community based non-profit organization which provides low-cost, nutritious meals to home-bound, frail elderly or temporarily disabled persons. Meals on Wheels in Long Beach operates out of the Merritt Kitchen in Patterson Hall of First Congregational Church. MOW operates with a small paid staff and a full contingent of volunteer packers, deliverers and visitors.
For more information about Meals on Wheels, or to arrange delivery of meals or volunteer your help, please call Terry Riddle, Director, at 562-432-6215.
Parolee Employment Fairs
Each month, the church hosts an orientation program run by the Department of Corrections for men and women recently released from prison. Up to 200 new parolees are acquainted with employment opportunities, social service programs, tattoo removal services, recovery programs and mentoring services to help them make the transition back into society.
Counseling Services
In Pilgrim Hall, the education and community wing of First Congregational Church of Long Beach, there is housed a counseling center that is available at no cost to two counseling services. Good Samaritan Counseling Center, sponsored by the South Coast Interfaith Council, offers individual and family counseling on a sliding scale basis two days each week. A counselor from UCLA Harbor Hospital uses the counseling center two days a week, meeting with clients who are HIV+ or have AIDS.
Harbor Area Farmers Markets Board
First Congregational Church of Long Beach helped create the Harbor Area Farmers Markets and currently co-sponsors those markets with the South Coast Interfaith Council. The Farmers Markets allow small farmers to survive in a world dominated by large, impersonal corporations, and they allow those on limited incomes, even those using government debit cards, access to fresh, affordable food. More information is available at the Harbor Area Farmers Markets website.
Building Use
We make our buildings available to a variety of community groups, often at no cost. Some of those who have recently used our facilities include:
The Greater Long Beach League of United Latin American Citizens
Californians for Justice
The West End Community Association
Parents, Friends and Families of Gays and Lesbians
The Conservation Corps of Long Beach
Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride
The Long Beach Redevelopment Agency
Bridges (an AIDS program)
Association of Batterers Intervention Programs
The Southern California Environmental Sciences Center at the University of Southern California
