The Youth Leadership Academy has officially kicked off its third cohort, which started on January 23, 2021. The program accepted 59 students from across the six-county Sacramento region and is also welcoming back 10 peer mentors from previous years. Peer mentors are taking on more responsibility in the program by facilitating breakout sessions, helping with curriculum development, and supporting their peers. 

The students will be meeting virtually on Saturday mornings, twice a month. They will focus on understanding the role of planning in their everyday lives and how to navigate various local government process to advocate for their communities. The themes that will shape the workshops include, planning, transportation, economic development, social, racial, and environmental justice, and more.