Our partners
Thank you to our sponsors and partners.
Businesses, foundations, schools, churches and community groups stand behind First Course and Common Ground Grief. They feed our students, open their doors, and help grieving families find support.
They showed up for our students and grieving families. Now it’s our turn to show up for them: visit them, support them, and tell them we sent you.
First Course
The sponsors who fund First Course, the restaurants who feed our students, and the schools who send them our way.
Sponsor
Farmers & Merchants Bank
Founded in Long Beach in 1907 by C.J. Walker, Farmers & Merchants Bank is still led by the Walker family, with honesty, integrity and service above self among its founding principles.
Sponsors First Course, helping Long Beach students train for their first jobs.
Visit fmb.com: Farmers & Merchants Bank (opens in a new tab)Sponsor
Miller Foundation
Established in 1967 by Earl and Loraine Miller, the Earl B. and Loraine H. Miller Foundation supports organizations and solutions that advance the holistic well-being of all children and youth in Long Beach.
Sponsors both First Course and Common Ground Grief, which serve Long Beach children, teens and families.
Also a partner of Common Ground Grief
Visit eandlmillerfdn.com: Miller Foundation (opens in a new tab)Meal partner
Denny’s
Denny’s began in Lakewood, California, in 1953 and calls itself America’s Diner: a welcoming place for everyone, open around the clock, giving back to organizations that impact children and families.
Helps feed First Course students during their training.
Visit dennys.com: Denny’s (opens in a new tab)Meal partner
The Attic
Established in 2012 by owner Steve Massis, The Attic serves Southern food in a 1920s craftsman home on Broadway in Long Beach, where dinner feels like Sunday supper with family and friends.
Helps feed First Course students during their training.
Visit theatticonbroadway.com: The Attic (opens in a new tab)Meal partner
Nonna Mercato
Nonna Mercato is a neighborhood artisan bakery and pastaio on Atlantic Avenue in Long Beach, founded by Chef Cameron Slaugh, hand-shaping its breads and pastries from organic, sustainable ingredients.
Donated food for First Course students this fall.
Visit nonnamercato.com: Nonna Mercato (opens in a new tab)Meal partner
San Pedro Fish Market
San Pedro Fish Market has been celebrating food and family since 1956. Now in its fourth generation of family ownership, it opened its Long Beach home on Alamitos Bay in 2020.
Helps feed First Course students during their training.
Visit sanpedrofish.com: San Pedro Fish Market (opens in a new tab)School partner
Browning High School
Browning High School in Long Beach pairs a four-year hospitality and culinary pathway with Long Beach City College classes on campus, preparing students for college and careers.
First Course students come from its pathway, which counts Wrigley Coffee among its industry partners.
Visit browning.lbschools.net: Browning High School (opens in a new tab)District partner
Long Beach Unified School District
Established in 1885, Long Beach Unified serves students in Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill and Avalon, with a mission to prepare each student for a successful future.
First Course’s district partner, through Browning’s hospitality pathway.
Visit lbschools.net: Long Beach Unified School District (opens in a new tab)
Common Ground Grief
The businesses, churches and community groups who help Common Ground Grief support grieving people of all ages, in Long Beach and now Orange County.
Orange County launch · September 2026
Sponsor
Blooms by Danni
Blooms by Danni is a flower cart from a self-described “girl who loves flowers,” bringing bouquets and centerpieces to showers, weddings, birthdays and holidays.
Donated bouquets to Family Camp and brought a bouquet bar to the Orange County launch.
Follow @bloomsbydanni: Blooms by Danni (opens in a new tab)Sponsor
CAHIP-Orange County
CAHIP-Orange County is a local chapter of the National Association of Benefits and Health Insurance Professionals, bringing health insurance professionals together to learn, advocate and support their community.
Funded Common Ground Grief’s Orange County launch, and its charity luncheon supports Common Ground Grief.
Visit cahipoc.org: CAHIP-Orange County (opens in a new tab)Sponsor
Camp Fire Long Beach
In Long Beach since 1923, Camp Fire helps young people of all backgrounds discover their spark, connect with nature and grow into compassionate leaders through camps, clubs and afterschool programs.
Shares our heart for Long Beach children and teens, and for a welcoming, supportive community.
Visit campfirelb.org: Camp Fire Long Beach (opens in a new tab)Sponsor
City Church Long Beach
City Church Long Beach is a radically welcoming community on a journey towards Jesus, hearing and responding to his call towards wholeness, and loving its city.
Counts Common Ground Grief and Forward Endeavors among its own community partners.
Visit citychurchlongbeach.org: City Church Long Beach (opens in a new tab)Partner
FASTSIGNS of Irvine
FASTSIGNS of Irvine is a locally owned sign and graphics shop whose marketing strategists, graphic experts and problem solvers help organizations tell their story.
Made the signs for Common Ground Grief’s Orange County launch.
Visit fastsigns.com: FASTSIGNS of Irvine (opens in a new tab)Partner
FLDWRK
FLDWRK is a coworking community in Costa Mesa for entrepreneurs, creators and small teams doing meaningful work, built for real relationships and momentum.
Common Ground Grief’s office home in Costa Mesa.
Visit fldwrk.io: FLDWRK (opens in a new tab)Sponsor
The Formation Agency
Founded in 2022, The Formation Agency is an Orange County firm that guides CEOs and boards through leadership transitions, with advisors who care about leaders, their people and their mission.
Advises nonprofits and churches like ours, with care for people and mission.
Visit theformationagency.com: The Formation Agency (opens in a new tab)Sponsor
4th Quarter Fitness & Performance
4th Quarter Fitness & Performance is a fun, safe and welcoming Long Beach gym offering small-group strength training and interval classes, where members find a fit family.
A Long Beach neighbor where “you’re family,” standing with Common Ground Grief.
Visit 4thquarterfit.com: 4th Quarter Fitness & Performance (opens in a new tab)Sponsor
Gibson & Hughes
Gibson & Hughes is an Orange County personal injury law firm that has served the community for nearly two decades, offering experienced, compassionate representation to injured people and their families.
Knows, as we do, that families need compassionate support when it matters most.
Visit gibsonhugheslaw.com: Gibson & Hughes (opens in a new tab)Venue partner
Grace Long Beach
Grace Long Beach is a community of Christ-followers helping neighbors find unshakable hope in Jesus, so all of Long Beach can flourish. In joy and grief, its people come alongside each other.
Has opened its Linden Avenue courtyard to Common Ground Grief.
Visit gracelb.org: Grace Long Beach (opens in a new tab)Partner
Hammer Burger
Hammer Burger is a smash burger restaurant in downtown Santa Ana that began as a backyard idea in 2020. Built by friends and made for everyone, it also caters Orange County gatherings.
Catered Common Ground Grief’s Orange County launch.
Visit hammerburger.com: Hammer Burger (opens in a new tab)Sponsor
Long Beach Christian Fellowship (LBCF)
Long Beach Christian Fellowship is a community learning to live and love like Jesus, gathering on Airport Way in Long Beach around a table where everyone belongs.
Its people share “joy, grief, and love” together, and they stand with Common Ground Grief.
Visit lbcf.org: Long Beach Christian Fellowship (LBCF) (opens in a new tab)Venue partner
Long Beach Church
Long Beach Church is a non-denominational church on Atlantic Avenue that invites people to follow Jesus, build community and unleash compassion, and to come as they are.
Opens a room for Common Ground Grief’s support groups every Monday and Wednesday.
Visit longbeachchurch.org: Long Beach Church (opens in a new tab)Sponsor
Miller Foundation
Established in 1967 by Earl and Loraine Miller, the Earl B. and Loraine H. Miller Foundation supports organizations and solutions that advance the holistic well-being of all children and youth in Long Beach.
Sponsors both First Course and Common Ground Grief, which serve Long Beach children, teens and families.
Also a partner of First Course
Visit eandlmillerfdn.com: Miller Foundation (opens in a new tab)Partner
Super Beer Bros
Super Beer Bros is a mobile craft beer trailer run by Tony and Malcolm, two beer-loving friends who bring the tasting-room feel to parties, festivals and get-togethers.
Part of Common Ground Grief’s Orange County launch.
Visit superbeerbros.com: Super Beer Bros (opens in a new tab)Sponsor
Total Environmental Management (TEM)
Since 1985, Anaheim-based Total Environmental Management has provided temporary cooling and heating across California and the West, and gives back through volunteering and food and toy drives.
Presented a check for Common Ground Grief’s Orange County launch.
Visit temcool.com: Total Environmental Management (TEM) (opens in a new tab)- AMF Financial
Referral partner
AMF Financial
AMF Financial is a referral partner of Common Ground Grief. Thank you for standing with grieving families.
Join them
Your name could be next.
Partner with First Course or Common Ground Grief, and we’ll introduce you here with your logo, your story and a link to your business, alongside the people already making Long Beach stronger.