Help Long Beach Seniors Stay Connected/AgeWell

My Heart of Ida Story

My name is Valeria Valencia, and I am a Program Assistant with Heart of Ida. My journey with this mission actually began as an intern during Fall 2024 and Spring 2025. I was placed at Heart of Ida through the College Corps Internship Program at CSULB, and I quickly realized that the work we do here was meaningful, impactful, and essential.

As an intern, I had the opportunity to see firsthand how hard this team works every day to advocate for, support, and connect older adults throughout Long Beach. Whether it is helping someone access resources, providing technology assistance, making a phone call to check in, or simply being there to listen, every interaction matters.

This past spring, I was given the opportunity to join the Heart of Ida team as a Program Assistant, and I could not be happier to continue being part of this mission. Working alongside such talented, compassionate, and driven individuals and, most importantly, working with the seniors we serve has shaped me in ways I will carry with me forever.

The services Heart of Ida provides touch the lives of so many older adults and are an important part of keeping our Long Beach community connected. I have personally seen the difference this organization makes, and that is why this mission means so much to me.

Why Your Support Matters

On September 24th, thousands of people will show their support for their favorite Long Beach nonprofit. Every donation on that day will help us at Heart of Ida to continue our work to support Long Beach seniors in need with programs and services that sustain independence and connection within their community. 

This year, our focus is simple: keeping Heart of Ida strong and steady so we can continue to be here for Long Beach seniors. Like many nonprofits, we are facing rising costs and reduced funding—but the needs of older adults in our community are greater than ever.

Your support keeps our #StayConnected initiatives alive, providing:

📖 Publishing and distributing the AgeWell Long Beach Senior Resource Guide to 5000+ seniors

📚 Sharing health education and addressing social determinants of health through our partnership with the CSULB School of Nursing.

🌟 Benefits Enrollment Support that assists seniors with applying for programs that save costs on Medicare, prescription, and food.  

💻 Providing one-on-one Tech Help to seniors 

☎️ Reaching over 2,500 of local seniors with our Stay Connected phone messages 

🤝 Managing the Long Beach Aging Services Collaborative to strengthen ties between local service providers 

🐶 Volunteer pet walks, 💌 Personal connections, 🧺 Seasonal Care Bags...and SO MUCH more!!! 

I have personally seen how meaningful these services can be. A resource guide can help someone find the support they need. A technology lesson can help a senior feel more independent. A simple phone call can remind someone that they are not alone.

This Long Beach Gives, I hope you will join me in supporting Heart of Ida and the seniors who make our community what it is.

Every donation, no matter the size, helps us continue showing up for our seniors, keeping them connected, and making sure they know they have a community behind them. ❤️

Help us keep Long Beach seniors connected.

Heart of Ida Staff, Volunteers and Interns