Bring out the leader you dream of becoming. Take a brave step to get trained in leadership, decision-making, and public speaking. Learn to express your ideas to address community issues. Your skills soar while fighting for passionate goals of community improvement. You never know how far you can go by joining a board or committee to get your voice heard. You don’t just learn advocacy but also balance so that your passion continues.

Leadership Development

Community Education Leadership Institute (CELI)

  • The Leadership Institute is a program that builds a variety of practical skills for emerging leaders. This includes learning about systemic inequities and how they impact education, health, and wellness, especially for low-income residents and communities of color in West Contra Costa County. The program also provides support for identifying, applying for, and running for open seats on local and regional committees, boards, and commissions involved in youth development, health, and education.

  • -Effective communication

    -Negotiation and persuasion

    -Building and maintaining strategic alliances

    -Community and equity-centered policy improvement

    -Board governance and procedures

    -Prioritizing self-care

    -Unpacking complex community issues

  • Parents/advocates and youth 16 and over who are:

    planning to seek a seat in the near future on a committee, commission or board to advance equity in education, health, and wellness

    -currently serving on a committee, commission, or board

    -interested in advocating for education and health equity issues

    -interested in creating strong relationships with community organizations, decision-makers, and/or public officials

  • The program packs a lot of learning and experience into four months. Participants attend eight sessions of training and skill development along with learning from guest speakers. The program also includes hands-on application of concepts in 60 hours of structured training.

    Outside of class, you will have some homework. We provide helpful readings and other exercises to prepare you for leadership. Most participants spend 4 to 6 hours on these activities spread over the entire program.

    CELI Graduates are expected to contribute as program ambassadors. For example, CELI graduates will be asked to meet periodically to learn about new issues and provide insight for new fellows.

  • By the time you complete the program, you will have learned and practiced four months of working with complex issues faced by low-income and communities of color in West Contra Costa. You’ll be able to lead, follow, and influence the actions that make real change in policy and practice.

    You’ll also have opportunities to join your peers throughout the program and afterward:

    • Networking with like-minded community peers

    • Establishing your values around health, wellness and education equity

    • Affirm your commitment to advocacy for the wellness of youth and families

    • Experience a shared learning community connected to experts and advocates in the field of education, health and wellness at the community and policy levels

Career Pathways

  • Build and grow skills for career growth and plan your pathway to greater family stability. Learn and practice peer facilitation, community-based doula skills, running community meetings, and more in a relaxing and supportive space.