About the San Leandro Collaborative
for Children, Youth & Families
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Vision

Our vision is that the children and youth of the greater San Leandro community will have the opportunity to develop the values and skills necessary to reach their full potential as students and members of a diverse community.

The mission of the San Leandro Collaborative is to enhance and coordinate partnerships among parents, youth, government, education, business and community organizations that will produce the best educational, cultural, recreational, health and enrichment opportunities in a safe and supportive environment for the children, youth and families of San Leandro.

History

In 1995, the San Leandro Collaborative for Children, Youth and Families was formed. The Collaborative brings together community members, County, City and School District leadership, leaders of service organizations and other stakeholders to facilitate coordination and collaboration of services for children, youth and families.

The first major task of the San Leandro Collaborative was to assess the status of young people in San Leandro and the resources available to support them. Using a team of community volunteers and leaders, a comprehensive assessment was conducted, focusing on children, youth and families.

The lessons learned from the Community Assessment Project became the foundation of the Youth Development Master Plan (YDMP), an action plan completed in 1998 that addresses the major issues affecting children and youth in San Leandro.

Today, the goals identified in the YDMP focus the mission and the priorities of the San Leandro Collaborative.

• For children and youth to have safe and positive activities before and after school
• For children, youth and parents to know what resources are available to them
• For youth to have access to employment opportunities and work experiences
• For businesses and organizations to have an expanded role as educational partners
• For children to have access to quality, affordable childcare
• For children and youth to have improved access to programs and services
• For children, youth and adults to be involved in mentoring relationships
• For youth programs to integrate the ideas of young people in design and implementation
• For youth and adults to respect and value each other as equal and unique individuals
• For children and youth to have improved access to health resources and services

In 2000, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the City, County and School District officials, creating the jointly funded San Leandro Collaborative for Children, Youth and Families of today.

Organizational by-laws spell out the roles and responsibilities of the Executive Committee as the governing body and the Steering Committee as the policy and program body, made up of representatives from a broad selection of community stakeholders.

The Executive Committee includes elected officials and administrative staff representing all the funding agencies (County, City and SLUSD and SLzUSD) and typically meets every other month. The 35-member Steering Committee meets approximately five times a year and has representation from the following community stakeholders: youth, parents, community, business, city and school staff, youth-serving agencies, faith and homeowners groups.

Links to Funding Partners

City of San Leandro
Alameda County, Supervisor’s District 3
San Leandro Unified School District (SLUSD)
San Lorenzo Unified School District (SLzUSD)

• Community Assessment Project of 1996 surveyed community needs, programs, resources and demographic information related to children, youth and families in San Leandro.
• Youth Development Master Plan created in 1998, based on the community needs assessment and a strategic planning process, one of the first of its kind in Northern California.
• Developed an active and diverse 35-member Steering Committee to develop and implement strategies to accomplish the mission and goals of the San Leandro Collaborative.
• Active participant and leader in the ad hoc San Leandro Childcare Task Force, which is focused on promoting quality, affordable childcare resources in San Leandro.
• Enhanced and improved communications and partnerships between all participating agencies.
• Created the Collaborative web site, www.SL4youth.org, which serves as an online guide for San Leandro residents searching for information on childcare, schools, government, teen & youth programs, sports, health & family services, and more.
• Sponsored a month-long series of Saturday night events (Hot October Nights) for high school age teens.
• Participated in Teen Employment Resources Group (TERG) – a new coalition group designed to enhance and expand employment related services to teens.
• Prepared the “San Leandro Childcare and Afterschool Programs Assessment” report, summarizing current available programs and resources.

The Executive Committee provides overall governance and ensures that activities reflect the vision, mission and goals of the Collaborative.

Alice Lai-Bitker, Alameda County Supervisor, District 3
Orval “OB” Badger, San Leandro City Council
Bill Stephens, San Leandro City Council
Louis Heystek, Trustee, San Leandro Unified School District
Isabel Polvorosa, Trustee, San Lorenzo Unified School District
Christine Lim, Superintendent, San Leandro Unified School District
Arnie Glassberg, Superintendent, San Lorenzo Unified School District
Shawn Wilson, Chief of Staff to County Supervisor
Carolyn Knudtson, Recreation Director
Linda Birky, Project Manager

Steering Committee

Through its membership of community stakeholders, the Steering Committee sets direction for and oversees the activities of the Collaborative.

Officers

President, Cheryl Clifford
Treasurer, Ed Schilling
Secretary, Linda Birky

Steering Committee Members

PARENTS/COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Cheryl Clifford
Dale Gregory
Dan Martin
Angela Morgan
Gary Thompson
Mimi Wilson
Diana Souza, Alternate

YOUTH

Jeannie Dang, SLHS

YOUTH SERVING AGENCIES

Judy Glenn, Girls Inc.
Bob Glotch, Boys & Girls Club
Rose Johnson, Davis Street Community Center

HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS

Bob Leigh, Washington Homeowners Association

FAITH COMMUNITY

Steve Demetrius, Youth Pastor, Creekside Community Church

BUSINESS COMMUNITY

Christina Charlton, SL Chamber of Commerce
Larry Allphin, Allphin Jewelers, Downtown Business Assoc. & Chamber

SCHOOL DISTRICT STAFF

Gail Drake, SLzUSD
Jodi Lytel, SLzUSD
Bill Whitton, SLUSD

CITY OF SAN LEANDRO STAFF

Wayne Collier, School Resource Officer
Carolyn Knudtson, Director of Recreation & Human Services
Ed Schilling, Assistant City Manager

Design and development of this site made possible by former City Council Member Garry Loeffler, through a generous Community Empowerment Funds grant.

Linda Birky, Project Manager
San Leandro Collaborative
835 East 14th Street
San Leandro, CA 94577
510-577-3443 Phone
510-577-3470 Fax
lbirky @ ci.san-leandro.ca.us

Webmaster: Bob Shayler weiyee @ mac.com www.weiyee.com

The original Web Site Team: Ryan Clifford Nick Luer Crystal Willis Bob Shayler

(updated 09 April 2005)