PRESS RELEASE

Above: Youth participate in a previous voter fair as part of the City's Youth Power Participatory Budgeting project.

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) Office of Youth Development, in partnership with The Nonprofit Partnership (TNP), Invest in Youth Coalition anchored by Khmer Girls in Action, and California State University of Long Beach Department of Geography, will award $550,000 to 11 organizations selected by youth as part of the third year of the citywide youth participatory budgeting project. A total of 1,976 youth ages 12 to 26 who live, work and/or play in Long Beach voted on which projects to fund this summer, more than tripling last year’s voter participation.

“Participatory budgeting is more than a civic process—it’s a promise that every voice matters, and every young resident has the power to shape our community,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “This year, we had more than triple the amount of youth participate in the voting period compared to last year, highlighting our young community’s passion and dedication to civic engagement and making a difference in Long Beach.”

From April 8 -23, young people throughout Long Beach voted on programs they wanted to fund. Voting locations were placed at high schools, teen centers, public libraries, youth workforce centers and community-based organizations throughout the voting period. Youth could vote for up to four different programs to be funded for this summer. A total of 1,976 votes were validated, and the programs prioritized by youth voters centered on community care, housing, health and wellness, planning for the future and transportation – aligning with goals in the Long Beach Youth and Emerging Adults Strategic Plan.

Eleven of the 24 projects on the ballot won the youth popular vote and will receive $50,000 grants to support activities across a range of focus areas.

Community Care

• The Volunteer Center (397 votes) — Impact Makers: Act Now Long Beach. This five-week, youth-led summer volunteer program empowers youth to engage in hands-on service projects, such as packing and distributing hygiene kits and meals and toys for children and families and cleaning up our parks and communities.
• Sowing Seeds of Change (342 votes) — Cultivating Young Chefs. This farm-to-table entrepreneur program allows youth to grow food, cook meals with new friends and learn how they can turn their recipes into a real business.   
• Algalita (289 votes) — Ocean Action Leadership Camp: A Summer of Science, Exploration and Action. This six-week ocean leadership program gives youth the opportunity to kayak, clean up beaches, conduct science experiments and earn service hours.
• Project Optimism (253 votes) — Boys of Optimism Leadership & Development(B.O.L.D.) Summer Academy. This mentorship and leadership program is designed for boys entering 8th or 9th grade. Youth can explore cultural identity, build life skills and connect with college-aged mentors through engaging workshops and hands-on activities.

Health and Wellness

• Devotion Fitness (302 votes) — Sunset Boxing, Pickleball & Wellness. This program creates a welcoming space for youth ages 12-26 to move, connect and thrive through free boxing, pickleball and roller-skating.
• YMCA (270 votes) — The Y Not Project. A summer full of sports, fun and friendship is promised with this program, which offers a free basketball league, volleyball camp, teen memberships and a giant pool party.
• Books & Buckets (250 votes) — Books & Buckets is hosting the Summer YOUth Games, a weekly program with creative basketball-inspired games that promote leadership and communication.
• Breaking the Cycle (228 votes) — Breaking the Cycle of Generational Trauma. This youth-led wellness space allows participants to talk openly about family, relationships and healing from generational trauma.

Housing

• Success in Challenges (235 votes) — Youth Education and Adjustment Housing (YEAH!). This six-week program will support young people facing housing instability in Long Beach with stable housing assistance, life skills training, financial aid and physical and mental wellness support.

Planning for the Future

• Elite Skills Development (334 votes) — EmpowerED Life Skills for Success. This life skills program will offer an opportunity for youth to learn essentials like budgeting, meal prep, first aid and laundry.

Transportation

• Our Generation Cares (358 votes) — Car and Driver Ed - Drive Smart, Own Responsibly. This program integrates digital learning, hands-on driving experience and workforce readiness, creating an adaptive and accessible learning environment to prepares youth for real-world driving and career opportunities.

Those interested in participating in any of the above-mentioned summer programs should reach out directly to the organizations. Contact information can be found on the Office of Youth Development Youth Fund webpage. In addition, awarded organizations will participate in a resource fair during the second day of the City’s Youth Week event today, Friday, May 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.). Organizations will share more about the different programs offered this summer and invite youth to sign up.

Youth Power PB Long Beach, the citywide participatory budget process, provides nonprofit organizations undertaking work aligned with the goals of the Youth and Emerging Adults Strategic Plan with the opportunity to receive funding for initiatives that directly empower youth and emerging adults. All projects on the ballot were developed and proposed by youth and youth-serving nonprofit organizations. Funding for the Youth Power PB Long Beach program is provided by Measure US.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. More information about the Long Beach Health Department is available at longbeach.gov/health and on Instagram, Facebook and X.