The San Leandro Next-Gen Intern Program

As a long-time youth mentor, local high school coach and Vice Chair of the Recreation and Parks Commission, I know firsthand that San Leandro’s greatest asset is our next generation. That is why I am proposing the San Leandro Next-Gen Intern Program—a volunteer-based, 12-week initiative designed to give our post-high school graduates and early college students (ages 18–24) a seat at the table.

We need practical problem-solvers in local government who prioritize operational results over political rhetoric. This unpaid, part-time internship (8-12 hours a week) is built on those same executive management principles, giving young adults hands-on experience in real-world municipal operations.

Fellows will split their time between two core tracks:

• Executive & Policy Mentorship: Working alongside the Mayor and City Manager’s office on legislative research, community relations, and learning how to build consensus on city policies.

• Operational Rotations: Shadowing the departments that keep our city running—Public Works, Finance, Community Development, Recreation and Parks, and Human Services—to see exactly how budgets are managed, housing is permitted, and neighborhood services are delivered.

Because I believe in measurable results and accountability, the program concludes with a Cap-Stone Civic Project. Fellows will identify a hyper-local issue, draft a policy brief, and present their solutions directly to city leadership. Graduates will earn a Certificate of Civic Service and gain invaluable career mentorship for public sector pathways. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll see increased interest in public service and a desire to run for office, bringing new ideas into San Leandro.

Let’s bring steady, collaborative leadership to City Hall and build a San Leandro our kids can come home to.