City of Long Beach Invites Youth to Apply for Youth Advisory Council

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PRESS RELEASE

Above: City of Long Beach Youth Advisory Council Year 4 Cohort.

Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) is accepting applications until Aug. 7, 2026, for the Office of Youth Development's Youth Advisory Council, which is now in its fifth year. The council provides young people ages 16 to 26 with an opportunity to help shape City policies, programs and investments that affect youth, including the implementation of the Youth and Emerging Adults Strategic Plan, Measure US Youth Fund investments and the annual Youth Summit.

"Investing in young people means investing in the future of Long Beach," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "Our Youth Advisory Council continues to demonstrate that young people bring valuable ideas, fresh perspectives and real leadership to City decision making. Their voices help shape policies and programs that strengthen our community."

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be between 16 and 26 years old by Sept. 1, 2026
• Live in Long Beach
• Be available to attend two-hour meetings twice each month at locations across the city
• Have a passion for issues affecting youth in Long Beach

The Youth Advisory Council includes nine members representing each of the City's Council districts and two at-large members who help advance health equity in neighborhoods disproportionately impacted by violence, poverty and adverse health outcomes.

Members receive a $50 stipend for each meeting, up to $1,100 over their one-year term, in addition to receiving professional coaching and leadership development opportunities provided by City Staff.

Applications are available online through the application portal. Youth without access to a computer or smartphone may submit an application at the Ronald R. Arias Health Equity Center, any Long Beach Public Library location or any Parks, Recreation and Marine Teen Center during regular business hours.

Applications close Aug. 7, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Selected members will be notified approximately four weeks after the application period closes.

"Serving on the Youth Advisory Council changed the way I think about leadership and civic engagement," said current Youth Advisory Council member Nyechelle Shaw. "We weren't just asked for our opinions, we were trusted to help shape real projects that affect young people across Long Beach. It showed me that youth voices aren't just valued: they're essential."

Over the past year, Youth Advisory Council members helped shape the City's Mental Health is Just Health campaign, participated in the Youth Voices series with the Long Beach Community Action Partnership and PADNET, led the Youth Power Participatory Budgeting process for Measure US Youth Fund investments and organized Youth Connect 2026, a citywide celebration of youth leadership and creativity.

The Youth Advisory Council was established in response to recommendations from the 2022 Youth Design Sessions and helps advance the Long Beach Youth Strategic Plan by collaborating with City departments, commissions, community organizations and the Mayor's Office. Members also serve as district liaisons to ensure diverse youth perspectives are reflected in City initiatives.

To learn more about the Youth Advisory Council and Office of Youth Development, visit longbeach.gov/youth.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000people. 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 longbeach.gov/. 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.

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