Mountain View Launching Spanish Language Leadership Academy

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA -- The city has opened registration for a first-of-its-kind program designed to help Spanish-speaking residents understand local government and encourage their civic engagement.

City officials say the eight-week course, which begins March 15, is designed to embrace local diversity and increase awareness of city functions, services, activities and local issues to prepare citizens for local leadership, volunteerism and involvement in the community.

Up to 30 residents will be accepted into the program, which is the first civic leadership academy to be offered in Spanish for Spanish-speaking residents.

The Spanish Language Civic Leadership Academy will include sessions led by representatives from various City of Mountain View departments to explain their services, meetings with City Council members, and the group will hold discussions on how citizens can get involved in issues that affect the community. The Academy is free to participants, and registration is open through Feb. 24.

The group will meet from 5:30 pm to 8 p.m. each Wednesday from March 15 through May 10. Sessions will be held in various City locations, according to that session's subject.

A light meal will be offered, as well as childcare provided by the Recreation Department. For more information and to apply to the program, visit the City of Mountain View website at www.MountainView.gov/Civico, or call the Multilingual Community Outreach Program (MCOP) at (650) 903-6145.

Image via City of Mountain View