City of Long Beach Encourages College Students to Participate in New Urban Design and Civic Engagement Internship Program

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PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach Economic Development Department (Department) is offering a paid internship program focused on fostering collaboration through real-world learning experiences for college students interested in pursuing careers in urban planning and civic engagement.

"By empowering urban design and civic engagement students, we are nurturing the next generation of leaders and ensuring that the urban landscape reflects the diverse voices and visions of our community," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "This program will foster innovation and inclusivity among our youth and lead to the development of more vibrant and sustainable neighborhoods."

Facilitated by the Department's youth employment center, Future LB, in partnership with the Long Beach Community Design Center and Civic Confidence LLC, the Long Beach Urban Design and Civic Engagement Internship Program will consist of an eight-month course featuring a series of curated activities and projects, workshops and seminars, guest speakers and networking opportunities. The program will provide a hands-on and practical learning experience, promote meaningful engagement and mentorships with professionals and help prepare participants for successful careers in urban planning and community engagement. Uniquely, this program will bring together the public, private and nonprofit sectors to host interns for the duration of the program. Participating hosts will include the City's Community Development Department and nonprofit and private sector firms. Upon completion of the course, participants will be compensated with a stipend of $22 per hour for a maximum of 600 hours.

The program is open to students ages 18 to 30 who are currently enrolled in a community college or four-year university program majoring in urban planning, architecture or related fields. Priority will be given to applicants who are residents of Long Beach and those in low-income and underserved communities. Participants must have a reliable mode of transportation. Additional information regarding eligibility and requirements is available on the program webpage. Eligible candidates are encouraged to apply online through Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024.

"We are committed to uplifting our youth and growing the next generation of talent," said Economic Development Department Director Bo Martinez. "This unique opportunity builds on the creativity and enthusiasm of young people and equips them with the necessary support and experience to thrive professionally and succeed in making a lasting difference in their communities."

The program is funded by a $2.5 million grant from the Governor of California's #CaliforniansForAII Youth Jobs Corps initiative administered by California Volunteers. The initiative strives to bring together youth statewide to help address urgent challenges in California's communities through partnerships with municipalities and community-based organizations. The grant also supports other youth employment efforts coordinated by the Department's Workforce Development Team, including citywide public service internship programs such as the Long Beach Public Service Corps and Long Beach Youth Climate Corps.

The Long Beach Community Design Center is a local nonprofit that provides pro-bono, community-engaged planning and design services to low-income and underserved communities. Civic Confidence LLC is a female-owned and locally operated consultancy that supports nonprofits, public and private agencies with a range of professional services, including program development and implementation.

"This innovative urban planning and design internship program will expose Long Beach youth to the exciting world of planning and design, enriching their knowledge of the physical environment and inspiring them to create their neighborhoods and communities in their own image," said Long Beach Community Design Center Executive Director David Salazar.

"Excited to be a partner to help design, implement, and evaluate such an innovative internship program that centers Long Beach as an industry leader in the region for urban planning and design training," said Civic Confidence LLC Founder Alma Castro.

Over the last year, the Department has invested more than $2.6 million in direct wages for participant work experience. These efforts provide residents with the opportunity to earn money while developing essential skills for growing industries such as healthcare, transportation and logistics, and hospitality. In addition, over $2 million in training scholarships has been awarded to more than 400 residents interested in short-term, classroom-based occupational skills training. These services have been primarily supported by Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding.

Additionally, Future LB staff has played a critical role in the City's Summer of Opportunity initiative. The initiative focuses on fostering positive development among Long Beach's youth and reducing violent incidents involving young people, particularly during the summer months. In June, staff held a summer youth employment event with 200 attendees who learned about securing internships within City departments and partnering agencies.

Since June 2024, Future LB staff has provided over 600 youth with paid work experience opportunities, including internships and work-based learning activities through initiatives like the recently announced Space Beach Camp and Los Angeles County's Youth@Work Program.

For additional information about the program and other youth and adult employment services, the public may contact Eli Romero at 562.570.3762 or [email protected].

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. 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, 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: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. For more information about the Long Beach Economic Development Department, visit longbeach.gov/ed, follow on Facebook, X and Instagram. Stay up to date on business news by signing up for the City's Business Brief.

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