Teen-Led Nonprofit Ella’s Angels Earns City Recognition After Feeding Hundreds of Families in Long Beach

LONG BEACH, CA — Ella’s Angels Foundation, a rapidly growing youth-led nonprofit founded by 15-year-old student Ella Shahbazian, has received an official Certificate of Recognition from the City of Long Beach for its expanding community service efforts. The honor, presented by Mayor Rex Richardson, acknowledges the foundation’s compassion, generosity, and measurable impact on families in need throughout the region.
The recognition comes at a moment of significant momentum for the organization, which began with small acts of kindness and has evolved into a statewide model for youth-driven service. This year, Ella’s Angels supported hundreds of Long Beach families with its Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway—providing meals, essentials, and community support at a time when many households face financial strain.
But according to Ella, this is only the beginning.

A Major Expansion Planned for 2026

In response to the increased visibility and community demand following the Mayor’s recognition, Ella’s Angels has announced a major 2026 expansion, including several new large-scale service initiatives designed to support vulnerable families, honor veterans, protect the environment, and uplift students who need academic help.

1. 1,000 Thanksgiving Meals Planned for 2026

After the success of the 2025 dinner program, Ella’s Angels will more than triple its impact next year. The foundation has set a goal to distribute 1,000 complete Thanksgiving meal kits to families across Long Beach, increasing food access and reducing holiday-related financial pressure.
Ella says the idea came directly from seeing the overwhelming turnout in 2025.“We realized how many families still needed help,” she said. “Next year, we’re going bigger—much bigger.”

2. Valentines for Veterans Initiative

Beginning February 2026, Ella’s Angels will launch Valentines for Veterans, a statewide outreach program delivering personalized cards, comfort items, and appreciation packages to veterans in California.The project aims to teach youth volunteers the importance of service, gratitude, and civic duty while bringing joy to men and women who served.

3. Beach Cleanups Across Los Angeles County

Environmental stewardship has become a new pillar of Ella’s Angels. In 2026, the organization will host a series of monthly beach cleanups across Long Beach, Santa Monica, and the South Bay—mobilizing youth volunteers to protect California’s coastline and promote community pride.
“These cleanups aren’t just about trash removal,” Ella notes. “They’re about bringing young people into nature, giving them leadership roles, and showing them they have the power to change their environment.”

4. A New Learning Lab Tutoring Center

Perhaps the biggest development is the creation of the Ella’s Angels Learning Lab, a youth-powered tutoring and academic support center scheduled to open in 2026.The center will offer free homework support, reading assistance, college readiness workshops, and academic coaching for elementary and middle school students who lack access to private tutoring.
The Learning Lab will be staffed by high-achieving youth volunteers—many of whom, like Ella, participate in dual enrollment, honors courses, and community leadership programs.
“It’s important that students see other youth leading, teaching, and giving back,” Ella said. “We want the Learning Lab to be a space where every child feels supported, confident, and capable of excellence.”

A City Recognizes Youth Leadership

In awarding the Certificate of Recognition, Mayor Richardson praised Ella’s Angels for reflecting “the best of our community” and for demonstrating that meaningful leadership can begin at any age.
The certificate states:“Founded by youth and powered by heart, Ella’s Angels shows that leadership begins with service and that one act of care can inspire many more.”
With more than 40 youth volunteers now participating and several large-scale partnerships developing, the organization has quickly become one of the most visible youth-led nonprofits in Southern California.

Powered by Service, Driven by Compassion

Ella’s Angels has built its identity around simple but powerful values:• Serve with heart• Lead with compassion• Inspire others through action• Create opportunities for young people to make a difference
Those values have already shaped thousands of lives—from families receiving meals to shelters receiving donations to schools and churches partnering with the foundation on volunteer projects.
The organization’s expansion into veterans outreach, environmental service, and academic support demonstrates its shift from a seasonal nonprofit into a comprehensive year-round service provider.

Looking Ahead

Ella, who maintains a 4.0 GPA in high school and dual-enrollment college courses, is humbled by the recognition but focused on the future.
“This award means a lot,” she said. “But what matters most is using it to do more—not just for Long Beach, but across California.”
Mayor Richardson expressed enthusiasm for continued collaboration, noting that he looks forward to supporting the organization’s growth in 2026 and beyond.
Ella’s Angels invites youth volunteers, families, schools, sponsors, and community partners to join the movement and help scale its impact.
For more information or to volunteer, visit EllasAngels.org.