City to award 10 grants in 4th annual youth participatory budget project

About 1,400 young people chose to split $500,000 10 equal ways among community organizations during Long Beach's fourth annual youth participatory budget project, city officials said Wednesday.

From April 13-28, young people ages 12 to 26 voted on which of 15 potential programs geared towards kids they wanted to fund. Voting locations were placed at high schools, teen centers and public libraries.

The city also held a voter fair at the Long Beach Civic Center on April 21, during which young people could talk with representatives from the organizations competing on the budget before casting their ballots.

City officials said a total of 1,422 votes were validated. The winning programs deal with community care, health and wellness, housing and future planning, according to the city.

These are the organizations that will receive a $50,000 funding grant:

Community Care

• The Volunteer Center (311 votes) — Impact Makers: Act Now Long Beach. This youth-led volunteer program engages participants in hands-on community service projects. Youth build leadership skills and social connections while supporting their community through service.
• Algalita (288 votes) — Urban Ocean Story Lab. This is a five-week program that teaches youth to direct, film and edit short documentaries about their connection to the Long Beach coastline. Participants work with scientists and film professionals while engaging in kayaking and lab activities that assist their digital storytelling.
• Creative Art Events (256 votes) — Thrift Flip Fashion Experience. In this program, young people ages 14 to 23 explore sustainable fashion by learning to upcycle reclaimed clothing. The experience includes evening workshops on sewing and design and concludes with a youth-led fashion show featuring participants’ original creations.

Health and Wellness

• Devotion Fitness (401 votes) — Sunset Boxing & Wellness. Designed for youth ages 12 to 26, this 12-week program offers free boxing fitness, self-defense and hiking sessions in a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Long Beach United (302 votes) — Summer Kick-Off Tournament. This 10-week soccer program for youth ages 10 to 18 includes training sessions, weekly games and culminates in a championship tournament.
• Arts Council for Long Beach (255 votes) — Healing through Color. This eight-week creative arts program invites young people to explore painting, music and nature in a supportive space.

Housing

• Success in Challenges (265 votes) — H.Y.P.E. Housing & Youth Adjustment. This six-week program supports transitional-aged youth ages 18 to 26 with life skills, housing education and workforce readiness. Participants build confidence and learn how to navigate independent living and achieve long-term stability.

Planning for the Future

• Sowing Seeds of Change (345 votes) — Growing Futures: Cultivating Young Chefs. This three-week farm-to-table program teaches youth ages 15 to 24 how to grow food and prepare professional dishes alongside expert chefs. Participants gain the skills needed to start a food business and earn a California Food Handlers Card, along with a $100 stipend.
• Youth Leadership Institute (285 votes) — Kaleidoscope Theater Workshop. This community-based, youth-led program invites young people ages 14 to 24 to explore social justice themes through writing and acting. Over 12 weeks, participants receive stipends and meals while working on an original theatrical performance for the Long Beach community.
• Shared Science (256 votes) — R.E.A.D.Y. - Robotics Exploration and Development. In this three-week program, incoming sixth- through 12th-grade students build and program mechanical systems using VEX Robotics.

Last year's youth participatory budgeting project involved about 2,000 young people, who ended up splitting $550,000 equally among 11 organizations.

The city launched Youth Power Participatory Budgeting Long Beach in 2023 with funding from Measure US and Racial Reconciliation Funding. It was the first citywide participatory budget pilot process in which young people voted how on how to spend $300,000 in Measure US funds, according to the city.

 “This year’s awarded projects reflect the deep creativity and care our youth have for their community,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement. “We are ensuring the next generation of leaders has the resources to thrive and lead our city forward.”