January 25, 2020: SACOG’s Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) kicked off another year on January 25 with 36 students from across the Sacramento region. Students were introduced to the academy and their peers, went over the core role of SACOG as a regional agency, and discussed the various levels of government. 

During the training, students heard from SACOG Board Chair and Davis City Councilmember Lucas Frerichs, and discussed the importance of getting involved in their communities early on and being able to make a difference. The workshop focused on building a baseline understanding of local, state, and federal government, and what that means for communities and residents alike. One student shared “I loved learning about local government and the issues surrounding y community.” Students had the opportunity to learn about communities other than their own, connected with their fellow peers through activities throughout the day, and concluded with a field trip to the State Capitol Museum. 

This year, the program welcomed students from 9th to 12th grade. The program will meet once a month on Saturdays and will conclude in June 2020.