Spectrum Awards $5,000 Employee Grant to the Long Beach Rescue Mission

Spectrum announced a donation of $5,000 to the Long Beach Rescue Mission through the company’s employee-driven grants program that recognizes the value of community service, Spectrum Employee Community Grants.

Founded in 1972, the Long Beach Rescue Mission provides care for those who are homeless and in need of food, shelter, clothing and other critical needs. The Mission also offers several faith-based programs for men and women who are looking to make a new start with the help of dedicated counseling, training and education.

The grant will support the operation of the Apostle House, the Mission’s newest shelter for men with disabilities, which celebrated its opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 23. Special guests included Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson and Councilwoman Mary Zendejas.

"The need for a shelter like the Apostle House is great, as 37% of the people experiencing homelessness in the city of Long Beach have a physical disability,” said Jeff Levine, Executive Director, Long Beach Rescue Mission. “This Spectrum grant will support the compassionate care and life-changing programs for men with disabilities that will be offered here. We are incredibly grateful for Spectrum’s support and know that many lives will be transformed as a result of this partnership."

Spectrum Vice President of Sales James Farbelow nominated the organization for the grant.

“I am proud to volunteer and give to places like the Long Beach Rescue Mission that help make this world a better place,” said Farbelow. “To me, that’s what this grant is all about ̶ neighbor helping neighbor and people lifting up those around us to improve our communities.”

“Spectrum Employee Community Grants support local nonprofits that hold a meaningful connection to the Spectrum employees who nominate them, and to the communities they serve,” said Shannon Atkinson, Senior Vice President, Field Operations, at Charter Communications Inc., which operates the Spectrum brand of connectivity products and services. “Looking forward to the next five years, we’re increasing our investment in the program, in support of our employees’ dedication to volunteer work and vital community organizations that enhance the lives of local residents.”

Earlier this year, Charter announced its commitment to award $2.5 million over the next five years to local nonprofits through Spectrum Employee Community Grants. Charter pledges to support a minimum of 500 nonprofit organizations across its 41-state service area, impacting more than 70,000 community members, through 2028.

Launched in 2019, Spectrum Employee Community Grants support nonprofits nominated by employees with a personal connection to the organization through at least one year of their own volunteer work, including nearly $200,000 in grants in California to date. Recipients deliver a broad range of critical social services to underserved community members, including food pantries, homeless shelters, clothing distribution, job training for veterans and paying overdue rent and utility bills for those in crisis.

More information about Spectrum Community Employee Grants is available here.