December 8, 2023
LEAD San Diego has announced its six nonprofit partner agencies for 2024. Members of LEAD’s Impact San Diego Class of 2024 will form teams to gain hands-on experience by working with these organizations to accomplish vital projects that will benefit the agencies and our community.
The Six Leadership Action Team Partner Agencies are:
Balboa Park Cultural Partnership is a nonprofit organization through which 25 full members of arts, science, and cultural organizations in Balboa Park collaborate to achieve greater organizational efficiency, innovation, and excellence. The Partnership’s member institutions vary in size and type and include museums, performing arts groups and theaters, cultural centers, gardens, and the San Diego Zoo.
Black Entrepreneurs Leaders and Learners (BELL) was formed by a group of community leaders who share a mission to help create and connect opportunities for black & minority communities through entrepreneurship, ownership, education, and networking. BELL is creating generational wealth opportunities for its members through its programming and partnerships.
The Chicano Federation was formed in 1969 by a tireless group of advocates established to advance civil rights and civic participation of San Diego County’s Latine community (pronounced la-ti-ne, a gender-neutral form of “Latino” used by Spanish-speaking communities). The organization is open to all, serving clients regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital and/or immigration status. The Federation provides advocacy and social services, leveraging 54 years of experience as a trusted community partner and advocate for immigrants, refugees, and low-income, high-potential San Diego County residents. Because of Chicano Federation’s commitment to racial equity and social justice, it will be recognized as “2023 Outstanding Organization for Diversity & Inclusion” at the 51st annual National Philanthropy Day hosted by AFP San Diego.
Interfaith Community Services was founded in 1979 in response to rising rates of hunger and homelessness in North San Diego County. It has grown to become the most comprehensive human service agency in North County, serving 20,250 individuals last fiscal year. This includes homeless men and women, veterans, families with children, seniors, and persons with severe mental illness, long histories of substance abuse, and a range of chronic health issues, including those who are criminal justice involved. They provide both immediate safety net services and long-term, life-changing programs that help to stabilize and rebuild the lives of people in crisis. Programs include street outreach, emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, recovery services, multiple models of case management, referral, and advocacy.
STAR/PAL‘s efforts are built around providing mentorship and removing obstacles for youth in historically underserved communities, and on promoting ethical policing and cooperation in the process. The organization was founded in 1988. Based in San Diego, STAR/PAL builds relationships between youth and law enforcement through a variety of leadership and mentoring programs focused on recognizing potential and supporting growth. STAR/PAL has been nationally recognized for its model of police and community collaboration, which models an example of ethical community policing standards and mentors under-resourced youth.
The League of Amazing Programmers is a San Diego-based nonprofit organization that teaches coding to kids and teens in 5th-12th grade. Their mission is to help more youth, including girls and underserved students, acquire the skills and education needed to be leaders in the digital age, and contribute to the workforce of the 21st century. They aim to create a positive impact on all students by helping them develop critical thinking skills and self-confidence through learning computer programming.
Each Impact LAT will make a presentation about their completed project at their graduation event. It will be free and open to the public. Stay tuned to see how our Impact Class and Leadership Action Teams work together to make lasting changes within our region.