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Long Beach Youth Take the Lead on $500K in Summer Spending
By Staff Writer
Published on Wed, Apr 15, 2026
Long Beach is putting real decision-making power into the hands of its young residents—and the stakes are higher than ever.
Voting is now underway for Youth Power Participatory Budgeting, a citywide initiative inviting young people to decide how $500,000 in public funding will be spent on community projects. Through April 28, votes will be cast to help shape programs designed for—and by—the next generation.
Open to people ages 12 to 26 who live, work or spend time in Long Beach, the process turns civic engagement into something tangible. Instead of simply sharing ideas, participants get to choose which projects receive funding, with individual awards ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.
Voting is happening across the city at various parks, libraries, school wellness centers and youth-focused community spaces. A special voter fair will also take place from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21 at the Long Beach Civic Center (411 W. Ocean Blvd.), where participants can learn more about the projects before casting their votes.
Youth Power Participatory Budgeting continues to gain momentum year after year. Past cycles have generated thousands of votes and hundreds of project ideas, reflecting a growing appetite among young residents to have a direct say in how their city evolves. Winning projects have focused on everything from health and wellness to housing, transportation and future career pathways.
With half a million dollars on the table, this year’s vote is a powerful opportunity for young people to have a real voice in where public dollars go.
Votes can be cast at the following locations during regular business hours through Tuesday, April 28:
- 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. Willow 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
Funding for the program 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, Invest in Youth Coalition anchored by Khmer Girls in Action, and California State University, Long Beach.
To learn more, visit investinyouthlb.org.
