Developing Resident Leadership Case Stories

The following stories describe successful efforts by California cities and counties to inform residents about local government and civics, develop community leadership, and create effective citizen academies.

San Bernardino Citizen Academy

The San Bernardino Citizen Academy (SBCA) is dedicated to educating citizens about how city government works, who the council members are and how City…

Leadership Los Gatos

A joint effort between the Town of Los Gatos and the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Los Gatos (LLG) is a 10-session program for people of…

Four people posing at a Cupertino Block Leader Program event with informational banners in the background.

Cupertino Block Leader Program Connects Neighbors with One Another and their City

The City of Cupertino’s award winning block leader program has been enhancing public safety and helping neighbors get to know one another since 2002…

Cupertino – Citizenship Classes at Senior Center

Victor Wong – an exemplary volunteer – teaches citizenship classes at the City of Cupertino’s Senior Center operated by the city’s Department of Parks…

Emblem of Sacramento Police Department, featuring "City of Sacramento Founded in 1849" with scenic imagery and "POLICE" text.

Sacramento City and Sacramento County’s Joint Citizen Academy

The Sacramento City Police Department and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office jointly offer a citizen academy that focuses on the…

City of Santa Maria’s Citizen Police Academy

The City of Santa Maria has operated a “Citizen Police Academy” since 1994. According to training coordinator Chrissy Alvarez, participants learn…

City of Oakland’s Citizen Academy

The City of Oakland has offered a citizen academy for the past 10 years. Silvia San Miguel has managed the program out of the city’s Equal Access…