Long Beach Young Life

What if every kid in our city knew they were loved?

That’s our vision for Long Beach Young Life.

We believe every young person deserves to be known by name, surrounded by people who believe in them, invited into meaningful community, and given the opportunity to experience the Good News of Jesus.

Young Life doesn’t start with a program. It starts with people who are willing to go.

Our staff and volunteer leaders enter the world of young people—showing up at schools, sitting at lunch tables, cheering from the sidelines, attending games and performances, and being present in the ordinary moments of life. Over time, those moments become friendships built on trust, consistency, and genuine care.

We believe ministry is better when we go together. Together, we create spaces marked by JOY where young people can laugh, belong, ask questions, experience adventure, grow in faith, and discover that their lives matter.

HOW WE DO IT

CONTACT WORK
We go where kids are. Leaders consistently show up on campuses and in the community, building authentic friendships and earning the right to be heard.

CLUB
We create fun, welcoming spaces where every kid is invited. Club is a party with a purpose—a place for friendship, laughter, belonging, and an introduction to the Good News of Jesus.

CAMPAIGNERS + SMALL GROUPS
Students who want to go deeper are invited into smaller communities where they can ask honest questions, explore Scripture, grow in their faith, and be mentored by caring adults.

CAMP + ADVENTURE
From weekend trips to a week at Young Life camp, adventure creates opportunities for kids to get away, experience incredible joy, build deeper friendships, and consider what a relationship with Jesus could mean for their lives.

MENTORSHIP + LEADERSHIP
Young Life leaders walk alongside students through important seasons of life. As students grow, we invite them to lead, serve, welcome others, and discover the gifts they can bring to their schools and community.

WHERE WE ARE

Today, Long Beach Young Life is building relationships with students at:

• Wilson High School • Poly High School • Franklin Middle School • Stanford Middle School • Long Beach City College
• Cal State Long Beach 

And we’re dreaming bigger.

There are young people across Long Beach who are still waiting for someone to show up. We will continue to go into more middle schools, high schools, and college communities throughout our city—developing teams of caring adults who will go together to reach kids right where they are.

A student gains a mentor who stays in their life well beyond graduation. A middle schooler enters high school already knowing they belong somewhere. A teenager discovers gifts they didn't know they had. A college student finds community during a season of transition. A young person begins a relationship with Jesus that changes the direction of their life.

Some students eventually become leaders themselves—turning around and showing up for the next generation.

That’s the kind of ripple effect we want to see throughout Long Beach.

IT TAKES A CITY

Young Life has never been something we do alone. We partner with churches, schools, families, local businesses, donors, volunteers, and community members who share a desire to see young people thrive.

There is a place for you in this story.

SERVE — Become a Young Life leader, help at an event, provide a meal, drive kids to camp, or use your skills to support the ministry.

GIVE — Help send a kid to camp, support a local ministry program, sponsor an event, or become a monthly partner who makes consistent ministry possible.

PRAY — Pray for our students, schools, leaders, staff, and for doors to continue opening throughout Long Beach.

PARTNER — Churches and community organizations can provide meeting space, meals, volunteers, financial support, and connections to adults who want to invest in young people.

CONNECT — Introduce us to a school, coach, teacher, parent, church, business, potential leader, or young person. Sometimes one introduction is what opens the door to an entirely new community of kids.

Our dream is big, but simple:

More caring adults going together.
More schools reached.
More kids known by name.
More joy.
More belonging.
More young people discovering the Good News of Jesus.

Because every kid in Long Beach deserves to know they are loved.