By Alistair Wu
On September 19, the Beach Cities Branch of Peer 1 on 1 collaborated with the Port of Long Beach to host a free harbor tour for neurodivergent children and their families. The clear weather and ocean breeze made the harbor views especially enjoyable and helped create a welcoming setting. The event welcomed 42 guests from 15 families, along with 14 volunteers, many of whom came from the Department of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB).
More than a regular sightseeing excursion, the boat tour brought communities together through ocean views, conversation, photography and shared experiences while offering new insights into the Port of Long Beach. Port of Long Beach CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba said: “We’re pleased to offer families of all kinds the opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of the Port. We serve the entire community and it’s important to take the steps that will make people feel welcome.
The story the Port is one that we all have in common, and we’re always eager to explain how Port operations relate to everyday experiences, from shopping for clothes to breathing cleaner air.”Peer 1 on 1 is a nonprofit that aims to create meaningful social interaction between neurotypical peers and neurodivergent individuals. In partnership with the Port of Long Beach,
Peer 1 on 1 offered this inclusive experience during a limited booking window. Interest was strong enough to even fill another session, with families traveling from San Diego to attend. Volunteers helped families feel comfortable participating in a tour that might otherwise have been difficult to navigate on their own.
Neurotypical peers joined neurodivergent guests and their families to facilitate social interaction and provide companionship throughout the tour. Michelle Liu, the mother of an 11-year-old son on the spectrum, shared that it was the first boat tour for her son and many of the other neurodivergent children. She said families were delighted to see their children enjoy the new experience so much with the support of the volunteers. Parents really appreciated the unique opportunity created through the collaboration between Peer 1 on 1 and the Port of Long Beach.
The event welcomed 42 guests from 15 families, along with 14 volunteers, many of whom came from the Department of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB).
During the tour, participants viewed the RMS Queen Mary, known as the “Grey Ghost” for its service as a World War II troop transport, and the Long Beach Container Terminal’s clean-powered crane system. Guides discussed the Port’s history, operations and technology.
Guests passed large container ships, rows of towering cranes and automatic clean-energy technologies at work in one of the busiest ports in the United States. Along the way, guests learned about the Port’s 2050 vision to double its cargo volume by 2050 while transitioning to zero-emissions operations to fight climate change and protect public health.
Throughout the trip, guests and volunteers moved between the outdoor decks and the comfortable indoor seating area. From the open-air decks, guests watched the harbor’s maritime operations up close and photographed the giant ships carrying cargo and the peaceful ocean scenery.
In a cheerful and social atmosphere, passengers mingled while learning about the impressive scale of the harbor’s ships and cranes. Complimentary drinks on board and popsicles served at the end of the trip made the summer experience cool and refreshing.
The free, narrated tour is one important way the Port of Long Beach serves and connects with the community. According to Dr. Noel Hacegaba, “The Port of Long Beach started offering free public harbor tours in 2005 as part the what was then the new Green Port Policy, which has led to aggressive, industry-leading programs to improve air and water quality, protect marine wildlife and implement sustainable practices.
Part of that policy is to engage and educate the community and we find that harbor tours are an effective way to show the public firsthand how we are building the Port of the Future™.”
This boat tour was one of several events that Peer 1 on 1 collaborated with the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) department at CSULB, with many volunteers coming from the department. At events such as therapeutic ceramics and the recent Long Beach Harbor Tour for neurodivergent children and their families, SLP students have volunteered alongside community members to offer support and inclusive engagement. According to Dr. Shriya Basu, Associate Professor and Undergraduate Mentor of SLP Department, “Undergraduate students in the SLP department were able to gain valuable community-based experiences and an opportunity to impact the community with compassion and connection.”
Dr. Basu also shared that students described such events as “special experiences” and appreciated the opportunity to connect with neurodivergent participants and families, reinforcing the value of connection and community-based service. These events and volunteering opportunities bring families in need and future clinicians together.
At the end of the tour, Josellin Sanchez, the mother of a 10-year-old son on the spectrum, shared that her son was very excited about his first boat experience and was already asking when he could do it again. She said, “For me, it was really reassuring to see how well everything was organized and how safe and enjoyable the experience was.
It was wonderful being able to share such a fun and memorable day with my son.” Jayden Wei, a teenage volunteer, reflected that the volunteering experience allowed him to understand the daily realities and the resilience of families with neurodivergent children. The overwhelmingly positive experience shared by families with neurodivergent children and volunteers reflects the Port’s vision for creating more inclusive experiences.
As Dr. Noel Hacegaba stated, “The Port of Long Beach listens to community feedback to shape our harbor tours and programs, allowing us to continually improve their experience. We want residents to connect with the waterfront and to see themselves as part of our story.” With strong interest from families, Peer 1 on 1 hopes to partner with the Port again next year and offer two tour sessions to bring this unique experience to more families with neurodivergent children. Peer 1 on 1 thanked the Port of Long Beach, volunteers and guests for making the event possible.