Voting began Wednesday for the third round of Long Beach’s Youth Power Participatory Budgeting process, where youth ages 12-26 have the power to control the local disbursement of federal funds. 

A total of $500,000 in Measure US dollars will be spent on youth-serving programs taking place this summer. Each organization chosen will be given $10,000 to $50,000 for their program, offered free to Long Beach youth. 

The Youth Power Budget is run by the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Youth Development. 

“This program reflects our commitment to ensuring young people have a meaningful role in shaping Long Beach’s future,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement. “Youth Power Participatory Budgeting creates opportunities for our young residents to share their voices, connect with their communities and make decisions that have a lasting impact.”

River Coupwood (left) and Kayla Rees (right) drill through some punching and dodging exercises with Devotion Fitness at Bluff Park on Aug. 19, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Youth ages 12 to 26 who live, work or play in Long Beach are encouraged to share their voices by voting April 13-28 at one of the following sites during regular business hours:

Parks, Recreation & Marine Teen Centers:

Admiral Kidd Park (2125 Santa Fe Ave.)

Cesar Chavez Park (401 Golden Ave.)

Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.)

McBride Park (1550 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.)

Silverado Park (1545 W. 31st St.)

Long Beach Public Libraries:

Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway)

Dana Neighborhood Library (3680 Atlantic Ave.)

El Dorado Neighborhood Library (2900 Studebaker Road)

Harte Neighborhood Library (1595 W. Willow St.)

Mark Twain Neighborhood Library (1401 E. Anaheim St.)

Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.)

Economic Development Department’s Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network Youth Career Services Center (508 W. Willow St.)

Ron Arias Health Equity Center (6335 Myrtle Ave.)

Youth Movement and Education Center (2217 E Sixth St.)

Long Beach Unified School District wellness centers in all high schools and middle schools

“We want every young person in Long Beach to know that their voice matters,” said Health and Human Services Director Alison King in a public statement. “This voting phase is a chance to turn ideas into action, ensuring that Measure US funds are used for the summer projects that matter most to our next generation of leaders.”

A musician teacher shows a student how to use a cello during Long Beach Youth Chorus’ Summer Arts Institute. (Courtesy of Stan DeWitt)

The Health Department will also host a voter fair at the Long Beach Civic Center (411 W. Ocean Blvd.) from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21. During this event, young people can talk to community organizations who have projects on the ballot and learn more about them before they cast their vote. Youth voters will also have the opportunity to learn about summer programs, connect to local resources and enjoy food, entertainment and other activities.

During last year’s voting period, youth prioritized 11 programs through nearly 2,000 votes, focusing on community care, housing, health and wellness, planning for the future and transportation.

Funding for the Youth Power Power Budget is provided by Measure US and Racial Reconciliation Funding. The program is organized by the Health Department’s Office of Youth Development, in partnership with The Nonprofit Partnership (TNP), the Invest in Youth Coalition anchored by Khmer Girls in Action, and California State University, Long Beach. 

To learn more about the Youth Power Power Budget process and find additional voting sites, visit investinyouthlb.org.