Northeast Valley : Groups Aim to Train Community Leaders

Community-minded North Hollywood and Sun Valley residents are being sought to participate in a three-month leadership-training program sponsored by two nonprofit groups.

The tuition-free program will bring together 12 to 20 people from both communities beginning Nov. 7 and ending in February.

“The goal is to give active leaders, or those who have the potential to be leaders, a chance to develop practical leadership skills,” said Vi D. To, coordinator of Coro’s North Hollywood Neighborhood Leaders Program.

North Hollywood and Sun Valley were chosen as sites for the project after studies analyzed resources and availability of leadership in those communities, To said.

The program is sponsored by Coro, a national nonprofit organization that provides hands-on leadership training.

It is being run in partnership with the Local Initiatives Support Corp., which recently received a $150,000 grant from the Los Angeles Community Development Department.

Similar programs organized by Coro and LISC are under way in other parts of Los Angeles, including Echo Park, Boyle Heights and Cypress Park.

Participants run the gamut from high school student body leaders to retirees, nonprofit group directors and business executives, To said.

For leaders whose English is limited, translation services are available.

Ultimately, leaders will be asked to consider organizing community development corporations in their neighborhoods.

CDCs are nonprofit agencies composed of residents, merchants and activists who help create housing and commercial services in their communities.

Program participants will meet one evening each week and one full day each month, usually on a Saturday.

The deadline for applications is Oct. 20.

For more information, call (213) 623-1234.