Long Beach Legacy Foundation Launches to Support Westside Students and Schools

A new community-driven effort is taking shape in Long Beach, rooted in decades of firsthand experience inside local classrooms. After 25 years with the Long Beach Unified School District, much of it spent at Cabrillo High School on the Westside, educator Julie Ryan is helping lead a new effort aimed at strengthening opportunities for students in the area.

Addressing Gaps in Westside Schools

The newly formed Long Beach Legacy Foundation is addressing gaps that have quietly grown over time. While the Westside remains rich in culture, community pride, and resilience, shifts like school choice policies and long-standing perceptions have contributed to declining enrollment at neighborhood schools. That decline has had ripple effects, from reduced funding tied to student population to fewer resources for programs and athletics.

Rather than framing the issue as a lack of ability, the foundation points to a lack of consistent investment and visibility.

The foundation is working to close those gaps by raising funds to support mental health services, STEAM-based learning, and career pathways connected to local industries. The goal is to expand access to resources while preparing students for a changing economy, including opportunities in manufacturing and skilled trades.

The effort brings together educators, alumni, business leaders, and community partners who share a common goal: making sure opportunity reaches every student across Long Beach, including those in historically overlooked areas.

Highlighting Westside Legacies

Another key focus is storytelling. The foundation plans to highlight “Westside Legacies,” individuals who grew up in the community and went on to succeed in fields like education, engineering, public service, and athletics.

By sharing these stories, organizers hope to shift the narrative and spotlight to what has long existed in the Westside: talent, leadership, and potential.

Through a combination of funding, partnerships, and community storytelling, the Long Beach Legacy Foundation is positioning itself as both a support system and a voice for Westside schools, working to ensure the next generation has the resources and recognition it deserves.