Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach is gearing up for its annual Youth Connect event, organized by the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Youth Development. This three-day event series aims to empower young people between the ages of 13 and 26 by providing them with valuable resources and opportunities for civic engagement and community connection.

According to Mayor Rex Richardson, "Young people are at the heart of Long Beach's future - their ideas, creativity, and leadership help shape the direction of our city." He believes that Youth Connect is a great platform for young residents to learn important skills and connect with like-minded individuals in their communities.

Youth Connect 2026 will take place at various locations throughout Long Beach and will feature a youth voter fair, interactive activities, and resources designed to support youth advocacy. Each day will revolve around a unique theme, starting with "Youth Connect Through Voting" on Tuesday, April 21st at City Hall. This day will offer opportunities for young people to engage in the participatory budgeting process by talking to community organizations with projects on the ballot and learning more about them before casting their vote. Attendees can also enjoy food, entertainment, and other activities while learning about local resources.

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On Saturday, April 25th, "Youth Connect Through Culture" will take place at City Hall Plaza. This day will feature a fireside chat with Mayor Richardson and a special guest to celebrate youth culture in the city. There will also be various activities centered around wellness, art, and play.

The final day of Youth Connect on Thursday, April 30th will focus on climate action and workforce development. Hosted at Long Beach City College Trade Center, this event will include a career exploration panel and a green jobs workforce resource fair.

Health and Human Services Director Alison King believes that Youth Connect provides young people with meaningful opportunities to connect with valuable community resources while also directly influencing how public funding is invested in programs and projects that impact their lives.

Youth Connect coincides with the voting period for the fourth year of Youth Power Participatory Budgeting Long Beach, which is currently taking place and will end on April 28th. Young people between the ages of 12 and 26 who live, work, or play in Long Beach are encouraged to participate in this program that allows them to help decide how public funds will be invested in youth-centered programs.

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The success of Youth Connect is made possible through a collaboration between the Health Department's Office of Youth Development, the Mayor's Office, and various city departments including Economic Development, Parks, Recreation and Marine, Library, Arts, and Culture, Long Beach Airport, and the City's Office of Climate Action and Sustainability. Other partners include Long Beach Unified School District, Long Beach City College, Mayor's Fund for Long Beach, Love Beyond Limits, and Los Angeles County Department of Youth Development.

This year's event is funded by youth development dollars from Measure US and supports the City's Youth and Emerging Adults Strategic Plan. 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.

For more information about the Office of Youth Development or to get involved with Youth Connect 2026, visit longbeach.gov/youth.

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