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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The Pomonan
Published February 8, 2021 8:50 Am PST

POMONA, CA - On Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 12pm community leaders will host a campaign kickoff event and present background, testimonies, and an overview on the effort to place the Pomona Kids First Initiative on the 2022 ballot. Earlier in the month, on February 2, 2022, community leaders visited Pomona City Hall to submit the Pomona Kids First Initiative. The Initiative is a unique measure that aims to meet the urgent needs of Pomona youth and their families as they continue to struggle through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pomona Kids First Initiative would amend the City of Pomona Charter to create the Pomona Fund for Children and Youth (“Fund”), financed through the City of Pomona’s general purpose revenue and would also create the Department of Children and Families that would administer the Fund and ensure that the children, youth, and young adults of Pomona have the resources they need to thrive and excel. In the upcoming months, Pomona Kids First leaders will be working to collect signatures from Pomona voters to put this initiative on the 2022 Pomona City Election ballot. If approved by voters, the funds will be used for programs and services that promote health and well-being for Pomona families, provide youth development and leadership opportunities, offer alternatives to youth incarceration, and help strengthen Pomona’s families and communities.

At this time, Pomona does not provide significant funding for children and youth programs. In Fiscal Year 2020-21, during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, less than 1% of the City’s budget was allocated to special youth programming under the Neighborhood Services budget. In 2021-22, the line item was defunded by 100% midst the pandemic, and no longer exists as part of the city budget. Given the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the stability of youth’s mental, physical, and emotional wellness, now more than ever, youth need structural support from their city. 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.

WHO: Pomona Kids First is a community-led emergency response to the public health and economic crisis impacting our kids and families.

● Youth
● Parents
● Community members

WHAT: A presentation that will provide background, testimonies, and an overview on the effort to place the Pomona Kids First Initiative on the 2022 ballot.

WHEN: Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 12pm to 1:30pm

WHERE: Tony Cerda Park
400 West Grand Avenue, Pomona, CA 91766

VISUALS: Youth, speeches, parents, families

Pomona Kids First is a community-led emergency response to the public health and economic crisis impacting our kids and families. The initiative was inspired by the multi-year effort of youth organizers to increase city funding for kids in Pomona. Pomona Kids First is led by Pomona youth, longtime Pomona residents, and community members. Their work is inspired and informed by the efforts of Pomona youth and families coming together to improve the wellbeing of all Pomona’s children. If you want to learn more and support this initiative, visit www.pomonakidsfirst.com

Pomona Youth Successfully Organize 12,700 Valid Signatures to Qualify the Pomona Kids First Ballot Initiative

BREAKING NEWS: Ballot Initiative Aims to Increase Youth Funding in Pomona!