The Pomonan
Published November 16, 2023 | 7:31am PST

POMONA, CA -- On November 20, 2023 at 12:00pm, youth organizers from the Pomona Kids First campaign will submit 12,700 valid signatures from Pomona voters to the Pomona city clerk to qualify the ballot initiative to appear on the November 2024 ballot.

To ensure Pomona’s youth and their families have the same opportunities to thrive and excel, the Pomona Kids First Initiative will amend the City of Pomona Charter to create the Pomona Fund for Children and Youth. This newly created Fund represents an exciting new opportunity to provide increased and dedicated funding for programs and services that address the needs of Pomona’s children, youth, and young adults. The initiative will also create the Department of Children and Youth that will administer the fund.

The Initiative seeks to secure a portion of the City of Pomona’s unrestricted general purpose revenues, to be transferred to the Fund beginning in January 2025. Revenue set aside for the Fund would begin at 2% and would increase to 5% the following year, then incrementally increase over a period of six years. In Fiscal Year 2030-2031 and each subsequent year after that, 10% of the City’s revenue would be set aside for the Fund.

To ensure that resources are available to those young people in Pomona that need it most, the Fund will prioritize funding for three groups: children birth to age 12; youth ages 13 to 17; and disconnected and/or transitional-aged youth ages 18 to 24 who are most impacted by harm, inequity and lack of access to support and services. If passed by voters, Pomona families will be able to enjoy an increase in the following services starting in 2025: childcare, after-school programs, housing support, mental health support, arts and technology programs, domestic violence prevention, and more.

Youth, Parents, Educators, and other Community Leaders will be hosting a brief celebration as signatures are submitted.

WHEN: Monday, November 20, 2023 at 12pm
WHERE: Pomona City Hall, 505 S. Garey Ave, Pomona, CA 91766

For more information, download both Pomona Kids First Fact Sheet and Full Ordinance.

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