Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach is giving young residents a chance to have a say in how public funds are spent through the Youth Power Participatory Budgeting (PB) program. The voting phase for this year's program has been announced by the City's Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) Office of Youth Development.

With a total of $500,000 in funding available, youth aged 12 to 26 who live, work or play in Long Beach are encouraged to vote on how these funds will be allocated towards youth-centered projects being implemented this summer. The awards range from $10,000 to $50,000.

Mayor Rex Richardson expressed his support for the program, stating that it reflects the city's commitment to involving young people in shaping Long Beach's future. "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," he said.

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Voting will take place from April 13-28 at various locations during regular business hours. These include Parks, Recreation & Marine Teen Centers and Long Beach Public Libraries. Additionally, the Economic Development Department's Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network Youth Career Services Center and various wellness centers in high schools and middle schools will also serve as voting sites.

According to Health and Human Services Director Alison King, the voting phase is an opportunity for young people to turn their ideas into action and ensure that Measure US funds are used for projects that matter most to them. "We want every young person in Long Beach to know that their voice matters," she said.

To further engage youth in the civic process, the Health Department will host a voter fair at the Long Beach Civic Center on April 21 from 4-7pm. This event will allow young people to talk to community organizations with projects on the ballot and learn more about them before casting their vote. They will also have the chance to learn about summer programs, connect with local resources, and enjoy food, entertainment, and other activities.

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The Youth Power PB Long Beach program was first announced in November 2025 and has seen a significant increase in participation each year. In its third year, over 400 ideas were submitted - nine times more than the previous year. A total of 1,976 youth voted across Long Beach, more than triple the number of voters compared to the previous year. The projects funded in 2025 align with five of the six goals in the Long Beach Youth & Emerging Adults Strategic Plan, including community care, housing, health and wellness, planning for the future, and transportation.

Funding for Youth Power PB 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), Invest in Youth Coalition anchored by Khmer Girls in Action, and California State University, Long Beach.

To learn more about the Youth Power PB process and find additional voting sites, visit investinyouthlb.org. This democratic approach to public spending empowers young people to have a say in how their community is shaped and how funds are used for projects that benefit them.

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