Community News
Third Year of Youth Power Participatory Budgeting
Youth ages 13 to 26 invited to submit ideas for youth-serving projects now through Jan. 31
The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Youth Development, in partnership with The Nonprofit Partnership and Invest in Youth Coalition, anchored by Khmer Girls in Action, has announced the third year of Youth Power Participatory Budgeting (PB) Long Beach, a participatory budgeting process where youth vote on how to spend public dollars on youth summer projects.
A total of $550,000 will be funded through this process, which is nearly double the amount allocated at the start of the program’s first cycle in 2023. Projects with budgets ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 will be voted on by youth who live, work or play in Long Beach and the winning proposals will be funded this summer. Youth Power PB is funded through Measure US dollars and one-time funding approved as part of the mayoral recommendations for the city’s Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2025.
The third cycle of Youth Power PB will kick off with four in-person idea collection sessions held across Long Beach. These sessions are designed to ensure that youth from all neighborhoods have an opportunity to participate. Youth need only to attend one session to submit their ideas for youth summer projects.
The dates and locations for the sessions are as follows:
Thursday, Jan. 30 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.)
Saturday, Feb. 1 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Youth Movement and Education Center (2217 E. 6th St.)
Youth interested in learning more about the different ways they can participate in the process can fill out the youth interest form for more information. This form connects youth to opportunities in all of the phases, from idea collection to voting. Community organizations interested in engaging during the proposal development phase are encouraged to complete the organization interest form.
“We are proud to see the return of the Youth Power PB process empowering young people to actively shape their communities,” said DHHS Director Alison King. “This initiative strengthens shared governance, fosters meaningful connections and supports a more inclusive and equitable Long Beach.”
Youth Power PB Long Beach will be carried out in three phases:
Phase 1: Idea Collection. Now through Feb. 1, youth ages 13 to 26 in Long Beach can submit ideas for projects to be funded with Measure US Youth Fund dollars.
Phase 2: Project Development. In February, youth steering committee members will select ideas from the pool of submissions. These selected ideas will move on to the project development phase in March, where youth and community organizations will collaborate to turn them into full proposals for the voting ballot.
Phase 3: Voting. Youth throughout Long Beach will be invited to vote over a 10-day period on which projects should be funded. Voting will begin in April and be open to youth ages 12 to 26. Voting will be available online or in person at designated voting sites such as teen centers, libraries and high schools. More information about voting centers will be available at a later date.
The second Youth Power PB cycle received 43 project ideas, with 13 selected by the youth steering committee and placed on the ballot. A voter fair was held at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, and voting locations were set up at high schools, teen centers and public libraries throughout the voting phase. The nine programs prioritized by youth voters 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 2024, visit longbeach.gov/youthfund.
Youth Power PB Long Beach, the first citywide participatory budget process, funds projects by community organizations who are doing work aligned with the Youth and Emerging Adults Strategic Plan. Participatory budgeting is a democratization of public dollars putting empowering young residents to delegate how public dollars are spent. To learn more about the Youth Power PB process, visit investinyouthlb.org.
Fun, Free Nature Walk
Check out cutting-edge wetlands restoration in a unique patch of open space between Long Beach and Seal Beach on Saturday, Feb. 1, 8-10 a.m.
You will tour the plant-growing section and enjoy views of Zedler Marsh, an area normally off-limits to the public. The walk is for ages seven and up. Meet at the corner of PCH and 1st Street in Seal Beach. Email elizabeth@lcwlandtrust.org with questions or to RSVP.
Domestic Violence Show
Jewish Long Beach with Temple Beth Ohr, Home Shalom and Advot Project, is raising awareness of domestic violence through the one-woman show by Naomi Ackerman. “Flowers Aren’t Enough” debuted in Israel over 25 years ago and remains relevant.
“Domestic violence is unfortunately a pervasive issue that knows no boundaries,” said Deborah Goldfarb, CEO of Jewish Long Beach. “It affects all genders, age, economic status, race and culture. It’s incumbent upon all of us to raise awareness and improve relationships to put an end to any violence within families.”
From The Israeli Times in 2022, the Jerusalem Ministry of Welfare commissioned Ackerman to write the play in 1998, then as a shorter piece for a city social workers conference. Ackerman also created curriculum dealing with domestic abuse based on the play.
Flowers Aren’t Enough tells the story of Michal, a young woman who falls into an abusive relationship. The show’s power is that it breaks the often-held myth that only uneducated, poor women from bad families are victims. Based on true stories, Ackerman has woven the voices of women from different cultures and backgrounds into a performance that encourages social change. Discussion and dessert reception to follow.
“By showcasing the issue, we hope to remove any shame or embarrassment a victim might hold that will stop them from asking for help,” Goldfarb said. “There are multiple local community resources where people can receive help.”
In addition, WomenShelter of Long Beach representatives will be present at the event with relevant community resources.
The one performance is at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 2, at the Alpert Jewish Community Center 3801 Willow St. Tickets are $15 for patrons 14 years and older.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, don’t hesitate to call for help. The national domestic violence hotline is (800) 799-7233 where they will connect you to local resources.
Visit the Alpert JCC website for more information and to register. No backpacks or large bags will be allowed inside. Clear bags that are equal to or smaller than 12” x 6” x 12”. Small clutches that are 9” x 6” are permitted and do not need to be clear.
Benefit Concert for Disaster Victims
In response to the devastating Palisades, Eaton, Hurst and Kenneth fires that have ravaged communities across the Los Angeles area, the Ashe Brothers Band is set to headline a benefit concert aimed at supporting those affected.
The concert will take place on Feb. 2, from 1 to 6:30 p.m. at The Beach House in Seal Beach, located at 15 1st St. This special event will feature performances by two acclaimed opening acts, the ABC Trio and The Real Deal, culminating with a headline performance by the Ashe Brothers Band.
“Our hearts go out to the victims of these recent fires,” said Justin Conaway, manager of the Ashe Brothers Band. “We feel a strong sense of duty to help where we can. While these wildfires may have taken away possessions, they cannot take away the spirit of the survivors. Your strength and resilience will rebuild what’s been lost and we want to be here to support you through it all.”
All proceeds from the event will be donated directly to the California Fire Foundation Disaster Relief Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing critical support to surviving families of fallen firefighters, firefighters and the communities they serve. The foundation offers immediate and long-term relief to communities and survivors of California wildfires.
No tickets are necessary to attend. Concert attendees are encouraged to donate through the Ash Brothers Band GoFundMe page and come to see the concert. Contact The Beach House if you would like to inquire about reservations for seating. For those unable to attend, the page also accepts direct donations to support the cause.
Free Fixit Clinics
The City of Long Beach Department of Public Works, in partnership with Algalita and Pedal Movement, the Long Beach Reuses coalition, Long Beach Time Exchange and Jeanine Designs, is hosting Fixit Clinics throughout Long Beach in 2025. These free clinics will offer residents a chance to repair their broken household items and learn valuable skills with the help of skilled Fixit coaches.
Fixit Clinics are a nationwide effort to reduce household waste and promote sustainability. In addition to diverting waste from landfills, these clinics create a space for community members to share knowledge and tools, helping them learn repair skills and increasing engagement, even if the repair does not succeed.
The city will host its first Fixit Clinic on Saturday, Feb. 8, from noon to 3 p.m. at Sports Basement, 2100 N. Bellflower Blvd. Residents are encouraged to bring electronics, bicycles, watches, jewelry, toys, clothes, small appliances and other items small enough to carry into the event. To increase access to the program, additional clinics will be held in other areas of Long Beach, with dates to be announced in the coming weeks.
“Our FixIt Clinics are an incredible opportunity for Long Beach residents to come together, learn valuable repair skills and contribute to a more sustainable community,” said Eric Lopez, director of Public Works. “By repairing household items instead of discarding them, we not only reduce waste and protect our environment but also empower our neighbors to take an active role in building a greener future for Long Beach.”
Tinkerers, menders and creative-problem solvers are also encouraged to volunteer as Fixit coaches. To register as a volunteer Fixit coach or pre-register as a clinic participant and for more information about future Fixit Clinics, visit lbcity.info/fixitclinics. Fixit Clinics operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration helps to speed up the check-in process at the event but does not guarantee a spot or priority over walk-ins.
Last year, Los Angeles County Public Works partnered with the city and community-based organizations and sponsored three Fixit Clinics in Long Beach, each with over 50 attendees and 15 volunteers who repaired nearly 1,000 pounds of household items. Due to the success of these events, the city and its partners launched this program to increase access, and in turn reduce waste in Long Beach through community engagement, advocacy and collaboration.
For more information about the program, please contact Erin Rowland, Environmental Services Bureau general superintendent, at (562) 570-2869 or email lbrecycles@longbeach.gov.
Workshops for Families and Caregivers
The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), in partnership with the Long Beach Public Library (LBPL), has launched its second year of the Parent Informational Workshop series. The workshops will offer parents and caregivers of children ages 0 to 5 years old an opportunity to learn about various topics, including speech and language development, managing behaviors and early start intervention. This initiative works to ensure Long Beach families experiencing developmental concerns about their child are connected to services in a timely manner.
The informational workshops, which will also serve to connect families to resources, will begin this month and will be taught by local experts who specialize in various fields of early childhood. Interested attendees are welcome to attend multiple workshops. No registration is required. The schedule is as follows:
- Early Vision Development – Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 12:30 p.m., Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway)
- Supporting Healthy Speech Development – Saturday, March 8 at 11 a.m., El Dorado Neighborhood Library (2900 N. Studebaker Rd.)
- Guiding Positive Behaviors – Saturday, May 31 at 11 a.m., Bay Shore Neighborhood Library (195 Bay Shore Ave.)
- Supporting Healthy Speech Development (Spanish language presentation) – Saturday, June 14 at 10:30 a.m., Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.)
“These workshops address the unique challenges parents face and connect them to services that can make a real difference in their child’s development,” said Health and Human Services Director Alison King.
The Parent Information Workshop series is also part of LBPLs Dive into Learning program, an early learning initiative that supports early education for children ages 0 to 5 by incentivizing reading and providing school readiness and parent education workshops.
“The Long Beach Public Library believes in empowering families with the resources and education they need to foster growth and learning at every stage,” said Director of Long Beach Public Library Cathy De Leon. “It’s important to embolden parents to build a stronger, more informed community for our youngest learners.”
People can sign up for the LBPL reading programs by visiting longbeach.beanstack.org or by downloading the Beanstack Tracker app from the App Store or Google Play.
The workshop series is supported by Help Me Grow LA, a collaboration between First 5 LA and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. In 2022, the City of Long Beach was awarded as one of seven community collaboratives to receive $500,000 over the course of three years as part of First 5 LA’s investment to strengthen and expand referral pathways to better connect families with services and supports to address their child’s developmental concerns; DHHS is currently in its third and final year of funding. The investment is part of Help Me Grow LA’s effort to improve connections between providers so that every child receives support for developmental concerns.
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