The Californer - Long Beach City Council Approves .1 Million in State Funding to Expand Youth Employment Opportunities

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Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach is celebrating a major achievement as the Department of Economic Development & Opportunity (EDO) has been awarded a $2.1 million grant from the California Governor's Office of Service and Community Engagement, California Volunteers. This funding will go towards expanding paid youth employment and service opportunities through the Long Beach Youth Service Corps.

The Long Beach Youth Service Corps is a collection of programs designed to connect young people with meaningful work experience, career exploration, mentorship, and civic engagement. These programs are open to individuals between the ages of 16 and 30 and aim to provide structured pathways for youth to explore public service careers, develop workplace skills, and contribute to their community.

Mayor Rex Richardson expressed his gratitude for the partnership with California Volunteers and their continued investment in young people and public service. He believes that this funding represents a significant investment in the future of Long Beach and the next generation of leaders who will shape it. The resources will help expand programs like the Long Beach Public Service Corps, creating real career opportunities for local students and graduates to gain hands-on experience, develop leadership skills, and pursue careers serving their community.

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The grant was approved by the Long Beach City Council with a unanimous vote at its June 9th meeting in 2026. It will be administered through EDO's Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network (LBWIN) Youth Career Services Center. This funding brings together various City departments and public agency partners to provide high-quality mentored-work experiences across sectors such as public safety, urban planning, civic leadership, municipal operations, and goods movement.

Bo Martinez, Director of EDO, believes that this initiative will have a profound impact on local youth by providing substantial employment opportunities and financial assistance. He extends his thanks to the state, partners involved in this effort, and all those who have shown unwavering commitment towards creating brighter futures for Long Beach youth.

These youth employment opportunities align with the City's 2030 Strategic Vision goal of fostering a prepared and inclusive workforce. They also support the objectives of the Grow Long Beach Economic Blueprint, which aims to establish accessible pathways into public sector jobs and leading industries. Additionally, these programs contribute to the S.T.R.O.N.G. Beach: Summer of Opportunity Initiative.

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This is not the first time that California Volunteers has awarded a grant to Long Beach. Previous grants have supported the placement of over 400 youth in paid work experience opportunities, with many program alumni securing full-time roles with the City or regional agencies. Others have leveraged their experience to join national advisory boards, secure scholarships, and pursue related graduate studies.

To learn more about youth employment programs and services, individuals can visit the Department's website at longbeach.gov/youthservices or contact the LBWIN Youth Career Services Center at 562.570.4700. The City of Long Beach is committed to investing in its youth and providing them with opportunities for growth and success in their future careers.

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