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Latino Employees Organization marks Hispanic Heritage Month, outlines scholarships and community events
Summary
Joy Contreras, LEO president and Long Beach Utilities public information officer, told the council LEO will host events, award scholarships and provide support following reported federal immigration enforcement activity.
Joy Contreras, president of the Latino Employees Organization (LEO) and public information officer for Long Beach Utilities, addressed the City Council on Sept. 16 to mark National Hispanic Heritage Month and to report LEO's recent activities.
"This month also uplifts the voices of Afro Latinos, Indigenous peoples, and our LGBTQIA+ family," Contreras said, and she described LEO as a network that "shows up for one another" during crises, noting the group's rapid sharing of resources and guidance after reports of ICE activity in the city.
Contreras said LEO, founded in 2010, has worked across city departments to provide community engagement, scholarships, fundraising and professional development. She introduced vice president Susie Gonzalez, who described LEO events and outreach: a Dia de los Muertos altar at City Hall, a Truro 5K that raised about $20,000 for student scholarships, and scholarship awards this year to eight Long Beach students attending California State University Long Beach and Long Beach City College.
LEO highlighted its fifth annual churro 5K scheduled for Oct. 18 and its presence at upcoming community festivals. Council members and the mayor praised LEO's work; officials also acknowledged the city's difficult climate around recent federal immigration enforcement and expressed support for city employees and community members.
Ending: Contreras invited residents and employees to follow LEO's activities and to join upcoming events celebrating Hispanic and Latino contributions to the city.
