Thanks to the advocacy of Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42), Long Beach City College will receive $1.5 million in Community Project Funding to support the LBCC Child Development Center (CDC) at the Trades, Technology, and Community Learning Campus (TTC). The funding will be used to purchase and install new playground equipment at the TTC CDC.

“A safe and engaging playground is essential to healthy child development, supporting physical activity, creativity, social interaction, and overall well-being during early childhood,” said Uduak-Joe Ntuk, LBCC Board of Trustees President. “Thanks to the support of Congressman Garcia, this funding for the Child Development Center is an investment in children’s safety and development, while also supporting the LBCC students, employees, and community members who rely on our CDC for high-quality, reliable childcare.”

“We know reliable childcare can make a real difference for families, and the LBCC Child Development Center is a space that so many families rely on,” said Congressman Robert Garcia. “At LBCC, many of our students and faculty are also parents, and having a safe, welcoming place for their kids matters.”

“For many of our CDC families, access to outdoor play can be a real challenge, whether parents are balancing work and school or live in neighborhoods without nearby parks,” said Dr. Mike Muñoz, LBCC Superintendent-President. “This new playground ensures our children have a safe, welcoming space to play, explore, and simply be kids, right where their families learn and work. We are grateful to Congressman Garcia for helping ensure this meaningful investment in our youngest learners at LBCC.”

The funding will support a redesign of the center’s outdoor play area, replacing outdated equipment and creating a more functional space tailored specifically to early childhood use. The new playground equipment will serve children ages 3–5.

The LBCC Child Development Center provides licensed childcare and early education services for the children of LBCC students, faculty, staff, and community members, helping reduce barriers for student parents pursuing academic and workforce goals.

This project reflects LBCC’s broader commitment to strengthening campus resources that support families and student success. The new playground will be installed in 2027.