In 2016, SBCS partnered with the County of San Diego and Community Health Improvement Partners to invest in 15 Chula Vista residents who wanted to make positive, lasting change in their community. Eight years later, our Resident Leadership Academy has graduated 20 classes reaching 257 community volunteers from the often-overlooked communities of National City, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Imperial Beach, and Chula Vista.

Over 10 to 15 weeks, SBCS facilitators lead volunteers through a collaborative training program where they gain knowledge and confidence to influence local policies and enhance neighborhood health and safety. Workshops on the fundamentals of civic engagement, assessing community need, and finding funding sources all help prepare Resident Leader trainees to work with elected officials and community leaders and get results.

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