Long Beach has welcomed an innovative new space for youth with the grand opening of the North Stars YMCA Teen Tech Center at the Carmelitos Community Center on January 27. The event brought together teens, families and community leaders to celebrate this milestone This state-of-the-art facility, located at 851 E Via Carmelitos, is set to provide invaluable technological resources and workforce development opportunities for local teens. teens. The North Stars YMCA Teen Tech Center is one of 12 Teen Tech Centers opening in L.A. County, placed strategically in underserved communities. The 12 Teen Tech Centers make up the L.A. Community Impact Hub.

A Unique Partnership for Community Empowerment

The establishment of the Teen Tech Center in Long Beach was made possible through a partnership between the Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation (GLAEF), Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), Best Buy, the YMCA of Greater Long Beach, the LA County Development Authority (LACDA), the Annenberg Foundation (AnnenbergTech and Annenberg Learner) and L.A. County Internal Services Department through funding from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) grant. This funding supported the construction of the physical space, the hiring of two dedicated staff members, the acquisition of furniture and cutting-edge technology and the development of specialized programs.

Bridging the Digital Divide for Local Youth

Located within the Carmelitos Housing Development, which hosts over 700 public housing units, the center provides direct access to technology and career-building programs for the 340 families residing in Carmelitos and the wider North Long Beach community. LACDA also contributed to additional construction costs beyond the ARP grant.

An Established Hub for Digital Creativity

Although the center has been operational since July 2024, the grand opening event served to introduce its mission and impact to the wider community. The YMCA of Greater Long Beach, which runs and staffs the program, has developed a diverse lineup of programming aimed at equipping teens with modern digital skills.

Among the programs offered are:

• Young Innovators Accelerator Pitch Competition Program
• Daily multimedia clubs focused on:
  • Podcasting
  • Digital media arts
  • Fashion design
  • Film production
  • Music creation

This dynamic new space is set to inspire and empower local youth by providing them with hands-on experiences and pathways into creative and technological industries. The North Stars YMCA Teen Tech Center is a significant step forward in ensuring that young people in Long Beach have equitable access to digital tools, education and career opportunities in an ever-evolving technological landscape.

For more information on the center’s programs and how to get involved, community members are encouraged to visit the YMCA of Greater Long Beach or stop by the Carmelitos Community Center.