Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/14049
LONGBEACHMAGAZINE.COM 73 Development Department, helping to develop and implement the Neighborhood Improvement Strategy. He stayed with the city until he joined the local chapter of CCEJ in 2006. Long Beach's environment of cultural diversity is unique. "There are other cities that are more culturally diverse, but there are more races represented in Long Beach. So it's a great place to work with an organization like CCEJ. There are lots of opportunities to facilitate understanding between the races and appreciation for the differences between them." CCEJ provides a number of vital human relations programs focusing upon relationships across racial, cultural, gender, socioeconomic and religious groupings. "We open minds," Castro said. "We offer diverse groups of 30 middle or high school students the opportunity to spend one day a week for three consecutive weeks in face- to-face conversation about race, ethnicity, culture and values. The students build communication and leadership skills as they develop relationships with people different from themselves." The organization also conducts eight, five- day residential programs, in which students address the impact of human relations issues on their school communities. "Nearly 1,500 students, faculty and volunteers attend this program annually," Castro noted. "It culminates with each student making a personal, sustainable commitment to promoting an inclusive community within their school and neighborhood. This is work that I love." Castro also works with the schools when there are times of racial tension on campus. "We mediate discussions between different groups to diffuse tension. Sometimes we are called to the schools if there are fights breaking out on campus," he said. Castro lives in Belmont Heights with his wife, Elizabeth Jimenez, also a social worker. "We love our neighborhood and the entire community of Long Beach," he said. When they are not working, his wife focuses on maintaining the indigenous garden she has created. The couple also enjoys walking through the neighborhood and both frequent Starling Diner for the "great menu and friendly people." They also have something else in common. "We both love opera," he said. "We attend every opening of the Los Angeles Opera. We also attend the Murals under the Stars programs presented by Gregorio Luke, former director of the Museum of Latin Art in Long Beach." Locally, the couple also supports the Children's Summer Shakespeare Festival in Recreation Park. "We love this community," Castro said. "It's our home. I'm proud to work for an organization that fosters human relations, and this is a great city to do that." n "A lot of people don't realize it, but Long Beach is the most racially diverse of the 65 largest cities in the nation." —Rene Castro