Dear Friend --

Earlier this year, I joined the coalition of big city mayors from California and secured state funding for youth workforce development with a focus on climate change. Thanks to these efforts, I'm proud to announce that the State of California has provided $5 million to help us establish a youth Climate Corps in Long Beach.

This funding is part of the State's 2021 budget and includes $150 million to support a youth workforce jobs program in California's 13 largest cities. The goal is to increase youth employment, develop experience towards a career in public service and strengthen our capacity to address key areas of education, climate and food insecurity.

The $5 million will give our city an opportunity to support young people in Long Beach, engage in workforce development and instill a focus on climate change and adaption in future jobs. This is also an opportunity to expand upon the work we do with the Conservation Corps of Long Beach. This proposal is in front of the City Council tonight.

All across the county, organizations that do job training are beginning to shift their programs to systemically include considerations to the environment. This is critical because we need workers who are trained to support climate change adaptation work. Long Beach has the potential to lead in this effort and we're looking forward to getting this program started to help our residents and our environment.

Thank you and Go Long Beach,

Mayor Robert Garcia