City reports Community Leadership Academy graduates; students ran resource fair for people experiencing homelessness

Community Service Manager Monica Sardina updated the commission on the 2025 Community Leadership Academy, a six‑week (12‑session) program that the city ran this fall.

"The Community Leadership Academy is a 6 week program and it's, 12 total sessions," Sardina said, describing course content that introduced students to local government, public speaking and community partnership-building. The program included seven guest speakers, site visits with city departments and a community impact project planned and executed by the cohort.

Sardina said the cohort staged a resource fair on Dec. 4 at the Salinas Sports Complex after weather forced a date change; she estimated the event served approximately 75 people experiencing homelessness and included mobile showers, clothing and bedding distributions. Sardina credited a participant named Tim with serving as a key point of contact and described multiple departmental collaborations, including housing, transportation and public works.

Commissioners asked about recruitment and whether the city intended to offer the academy again. Sardina said the city typically offers the program in the fall and is considering an additional offering in spring; staff are hiring neighborhood service coordinators to support future sessions.

Participants who addressed the commission called the academy a positive experience. Tim (a participant) said, "I thought it was a great experience," and encouraged an annual resource fair. Another participant noted outreach through Instagram and community groups helped recruit attendees.

The commission thanked staff and participants; no formal action was recorded.