Department of
Health & Human Services

Above: Young voters participate in the third year of Long Beach's Youth Power Participatory Budgeting program.

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) Office of Youth Development has announced the voting phase for the Youth Power Participatory Budgeting (PB) Long Beach, during which Long Beach youth will be invited to vote on how public dollars are spent on youth-centered projects being implemented this summer. A total of $500,000 will be funded through this process, with awards ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.

“This program reflects our commitment to ensuring young people have a meaningful role in shaping Long Beach’s future,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “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.” 

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 Rd.) 
  • 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. Williow St.) 
  • Ron Arias Health Equity Center (6335 Myrtle Ave.)
  • Youth Movement and Education Center (2217 E 6th 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. “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.” 

Additionally, the Health Department will host a voter fair at the Long Beach Civic Center (411 W. Ocean Blvd.) from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, providing Long Beach youth with an opportunity to engage in the civic process at the heart of local government. 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. 

In November 2025, the City announced the fourth year of the Youth Power PB Long Beach program. The program's third year drew strong participation with more than 400 ideas submitted--more than nine times as many submissions compared to the previous year. A total of 1,976 youth voted across Long Beach in year three, more than tripling voter participation compared to the previous year. During the previous voting period, youth prioritized 11 programs focused on community care, housing, health and wellness, planning for the future and transportation, aligning with five of the six goals in the Long Beach Youth & Emerging Adults Strategic Plan. For more information about projects funded in 2025, visit longbeach.gov/youth. 

Youth Power PB Long Beach, the City’s first citywide participatory budget process, funds projects led by community organizations whose work aligns with the Youth & Emerging Adults Strategic Plan. Participatory budgeting is a democratic approach to public spending that empowers young people in our community to help decide how funds are used.

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.

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, the 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 City of Long Beach Home Page. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news on 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.