Community Leadership Initiative (CLI)

2022 Community Leadership Initiative Cohort

The Community Leadership Initiative (CLI) is a place-based initiative facilitated through Hayward Promise Neighborhoods at Cal State East Bay, aimed at developing participants' leadership, strengthening the neighborhood ecosystem, and improving programs and services. Over the course of seven months, community leaders lead projects to improve education or health outcomes for families in Hayward. We equip leaders with the technical skills and expertise to advocate for change and develop the confidence to realize their power.


Participants have also learned about advocacy, engaged in the California legislative process, addressed our elected officials, and volunteered within the community for programs such as Fresh Food for Families and special events.

This 2022 CLI Cohort consists of three teams that have focused on the following issues:

The team engaged their experience with neurodiverse family members to create an electronic resource guide for the Hayward Promise Neighborhoods website and will conduct informative workshops for parents supported by experts in the field. Members also advocated for the inclusion of children with special needs in student programs.

The team focused on the physical health of community members and how they could live their lives without experiencing daily pain by improving their posture and proper exercise.

The team focused on the lack of preparedness during a natural disaster or civil unrest. Their goal is to establish a train-the-trainer design that educates community members on sustaining themselves and family members through educational workshops and emergency preparedness equipment.