How would you spend $500,000 for your community? Young people have a chance to decide.

Celia Jiménez here, thinking about the importance of getting residents involved in decision-making, especially youth and younger adults. 

For the first time, the Monterey County Health Department, in collaboration with Sun Street Centers, launched the Youth Participatory Budgeting Project, in which people ages 13-21 will decide how to spend $500,000. 

“We think it's really important for youth to be involved and learn about their local government and just be as civically engaged,” says Daniela Suarez, a management analyst with the Office of Equity at the Health Department.

The age range is wide, but there is a reason behind it: “It brings more diversity of experiences,” says Betsaida Arreola, chronic disease prevention coordinator with the Health Department. “It would add to the conversation during our process of deciding what projects will be funded.” 

Participants will share ideas, identify potential projects and decide which ones will move forward while they learn about budgeting and leadership. 

The last day to apply is Sunday, Aug. 16. So far, 60 teens and young adults have applied to participate in this process. At the end, 20 of them will serve on the steering committee, which will include representatives from all five county districts. 

The committee will decide which projects they will pursue and conduct community outreach. Some of the subjects the group will discuss include housing, active transportation, health, economic stability and more. The group will gather in person and virtually. The in-person meetings will be held at various locations, including Salinas, the Peninsula, and South and North counties. Participants will receive transportation stipends. 

“The intention is to be accessible and equitable to everybody,” Suarez says. 

This initiative reminds me of the impact young people have had in Salinas Valley communities through youth councils, from making social media videos to bring awareness about pedestrian safety to being actively involved in what the Teen Center offers in Gonzales and creating change in their communities.