City Launches Summer Youth Engagement Program My Hood, My City

LONG BEACH, CA – The City of Long Beach Department has launched the program My Hood, My City to engage youth through civics education and leadership development. The program, led by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Youth Development in partnership with the Youth Leadership Institute, provides youth-led storytelling through neighborhood tours that raise awareness, pride and knowledge regarding the cultural and structural makeup of neighborhoods in north, west and central Long Beach.

“We hope to empower youth in these neighborhoods to gain a sense of pride for where they grew up,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “These opportunities allow young people to learn the history of their neighborhood and further shape the story of where they live.”

My Hood, My City supports Long Beach young people ages 14 to 24 and communities of color living in historically divested neighborhoods that have experienced disproportionate volumes of violence and poverty, as well as areas disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Approximately 10 young people will be engaged in each neighborhood by the Youth Leadership Institute to develop the neighborhood storytelling tours, which will take place both digitally and in person.

The neighborhood tours will occur in person over the summer in each neighborhood and digital tours will be delivered through videos and storyboards. These online assets will be shared on City and Youth Leadership Institute websites, social media channels, in newsletters on LBTV, and more.

Application instructions and eligibility requirements are available through the Youth Leadership Institute’s My Hood, My City webpage. Those who are eligible are encouraged to apply by 7 p.m. on July 12, 2022. The first orientation and launch meeting will be held Wednesday, July 13, 2022, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. via Zoom. Once an application is submitted, Youth Leadership Orientation staff will respond and provide the orientation information, so applicants can submit their interest form right up to the last minute. Questions may be directed to mbedolla@yli.org or comar@yli.org. 

This program is made possible by the Long Beach Recovery Act, a plan to fund economic and public health initiatives for Long Beach residents, workers and businesses critically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional information about the Long Beach Recovery Act is available at longbeach.gov/recovery. My Hood, My City also aligns with Goal 2 of the Race and Reconciliation Initiative in Long Beach to design and invest in community safety and violence prevention to explore and increase investments in the broader continuum of public safety, such as community-based violence prevention and interventions.