{"id":278856,"date":"2026-04-21T18:05:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T18:05:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/278856\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T18:05:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T18:05:23","slug":"youth-connect-three-day-event-focuses-on-community-culture-and-civic-engagement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/278856\/","title":{"rendered":"Youth Connect three-day event focuses on community, culture and civic engagement"},"content":{"rendered":"

Long Beach residents ages 13 to 26 are invited to Youth Connect, a three-day event series focused on empowering youth to build life skills, get involved in civic engagement and create community connections.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The event series is led by the Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 Office of Youth Development and will take place at various locations throughout Long Beach. Activities will include a youth voter fair, a fireside chat with Mayor Rex Richardson, a career panel and workforce resource fair.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cYoung people are at the heart of Long Beach\u2019s future\u2014their ideas, creativity and leadership help shape the direction of our city,\u201d Richardson said in a public statement. \u201cYouth Connect provides our young residents the opportunity to learn valuable skills and connect to like-minded people in their communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Long Beach City College student, Maleka Lassiter, gives the first-ever Youth State of the City address during the 2024 Long Beach State of the City event on Jan. 9, 2024. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n

Youth Connect coincides with the voting period for the fourth year of Youth Power Participatory Budgeting<\/a> Long Beach, taking place now through April 28. Those ages 12 to 26 who live, work or play in Long Beach are encouraged to participate and\u00a0 help decide how public funds will be invested in youth-centered programs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The three Youth Connect events are as follows:<\/p>\n

Youth Connect Through Voting \u2013 Tuesday, April 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. at City Hall (411 W. Ocean Blvd.): This day will offer opportunities to engage in the participatory budgeting process. Youth can talk to community organizations that have projects on the ballot and learn more about them before they cast their vote. Youth will also learn about local resources while enjoying food, entertainment and other activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Youth Connect through Culture \u2013 Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at City Hall (411 W. Ocean Blvd.): Young people are invited to participate in a fireside chat with the Mayor, featuring a special guest, to celebrate youth culture in the city. The event will also feature an activation at City Hall Plaza with various activities around wellness, art and play.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Youth Connect through Climate Action \u2013 Thursday, April 30, from noon to 6 p.m. at Long Beach City College Trade (1305 E Pacific Coast Hwy): Focusing on climate action and workforce development, planned activities for this event include a career exploration panel and a green jobs workforce resource fair.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cYouth Connect will provide young people with meaningful opportunities to not only connect to valuable community resources, but to directly influence how public funding is invested in programs and projects that impact their lives,\u201d said Health and Human Services Director Alison King in a public statement.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s event, which is funded by youth development dollars from Measure US<\/a> and supports the City\u2019s Youth and Emerging Adults Strategic Plan<\/a>. As outlined in the plan, the City will host an annual event to increase access to open spaces and recreation programming, while fostering physical activity, community connections and safe places for youth and families to gather.\u00a0<\/p>\n

More Posts: <\/p>\n

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