Youth
Youth Leadership Academy
The goal of the Youth Leadership Academy is to bridge the gap between youth and the policies being enacted today, and to create a space for them to learn how they can advocate for their concerns and communities. They also learned the process for influencing local, state, and federal representatives, and discovered possible careers in the public sector.
In early 2018, under the leadership of then board chair Jay Schenirer, the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) board of directors discussed the missing connection with current regional planning and the youth who will be impacted by today’s policy decisions. After securing private funding, the SACOG board unanimously approved staff to launch the SACOG Youth Leadership Academy. SACOG partnered with the non-profit PRO Youth & Families to create and execute the program.
First Class of Youth Leadership Academy Graduates
SACOG’s leadership development program opens eyes to service and advocacy
July 24, 2019: The first class of the Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) has officially graduated. On June 15, students, staff, and families and friends came together at the West Sacramento Community Center to see the students’ final presentations and celebrate the completion of the program.
Youth Leadership Academy Launches
Region’s future leaders get a taste of civic engagement
January 29, 2019: SACOG’s Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) kicked off on January 26 with 29 high-school students from across the six-county region. This first training introduced the program to students, discussed civic engagement and SACOG’s core functions, included presentations and activities, and ended with a tour of the California State Capitol Museum.