Empowering Youth Through EducationUrban ScholarsA well researched and evidence based program changing the life trajectories of youth of color by increasing academic literacy, self-awareness, understanding of community conditions, and other skills development resulting in high school graduation, college acceptance and or gainful employment. The Urban Scholars program supports youth of color by providing them with the tools needed to achieve academic success and transform conditions in their communities. Programming includes individualized academic planning; Youth Participatory Action Research projects; college and career tours; and retreats. During the 2018-2019 school year, SJLI served students in three school districts in both California and Texas. Across all sites, Urban Scholars graduated at a rate of 94% and a 100% graduation rate. A majority (82%) of our students pursue an education or career path. 44% pursue a post-secondary education, while another 38% pursue a career or vocation. College Persistence and Alumni ProgrammingSJLI continued to build upon its efforts to support Urban Scholars alumni on their journeys in college and the workforce by connecting them to resources related to academic success, tuition, and housing. In 2019, the Urban Leaders Alumni Council continued to provide peer support to fellow alumni and conducted several activities including a winter retreat and a leadership retreat. SJLI received funding from the Executive Alliance for Boys and Men of Color to complete a Youth Participatory Action Research Project on the barriers and challenges facing young men of color in their pursuit of a post-secondary education. Our Alumni Research group presented its research findings, Creating Pathways to Success:Strengthening College Persistence for Young Men of Color at several conferences and convenings including the Executive Alliance for Boys and Men of Color in Washington, DC; the Alumni of Color Conference at the Harvard School of Education in Boston, MA;, the Southern California College Access Network Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, CA; and the California Community Foundations Board of Directors Retreat in Los Angeles, CA.Educational PartnershipsSJLI continued to serve as an organizational program partner for two initiatives focused on improving educational outcomes for young men of color: California Community Foundations Building a Lifetime of Options and Opportunities for Men (BLOOM) Initiative, which redirects the lives of young system-involved Black males; and JPMorgan Chases The Fellowship Initiative, which supports Black and Latino young mens academic success.Most significantly, in November 2018, SJLIs Urban Scholars program was included as one of the 19 winners of the inaugural Obama Foundations MBK Community Challenge competition. The national competition selected projects serving as models to expand evidence-based initiatives that reduce youth violence, grow effective mentorship programs and measurably improve the lives of boys and men of color. SJLI is one of the community organizations providing direct services as part of Unlocking Justice a multi-organizational collaborative effort with the California Community Foundation and LIberty Hill Foundation. Unlocking Justice was one of 10 Community Impact awards, the highest award tier. This support enables a portion of SJLIs expansion to collaborate with school districts and serve more students at school sites. Healthy Eating Active LivingSJLI continues to transform the built environment and creates systems change through its Health Eating and Active Living (HEAL) Initiative. With support from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, SJLI provides a robust series of activities encouraging healthy lifestyle habits, and educating residents on nutrition, physical fitness and gardening. Using a train the teacher model, SJLI has trained community residents and conducted classes at community and senior centers, libraries, and schools serving over 2,500 community residents annually. For this year, SJLI taught 163 nutrition education classes and cooking demonstrations, 70 Zumba and Weekly Walking Club sessions and engaged 12 Health Ambassadors (including several of our Urban Scholars alumni) who engaged community members in conversations about ways to improve health outcomes. Creating Thriving CommunitiesFood for Thought Produce PickupSJLI continues to collaborate with the Inglewood Unified School District and Food Forward to present Food for Thought, a free monthly produce pick-up at Morningside High School. Food Forward works with wholesale markets to recover high quality produce that would have otherwise been unnecessarily disposed of, and works with SJLI to distribute produce to the community. In 2019, on average 12,500 pounds of produce was diverted away from landfills each month, totalling 150,000 pounds. Each month 78,000 pounds of produce or a total of 157,000 was distributed to 1,020 families Changing SystemsSJLIs theory of social action asserts that education empowers communities and its residents to identify community inequities and injustices and providing them with the opportunity to create system change. This year, SJLI worked with students and community members fostering significant changes in a number of areas.Boys and Men of Color AdvocacyAs an active member of the Brothers, Sons, Selves (BSS) Coalition), which advocates for alternatives to suspensions and the decriminalization of youth and communities of color; SJLI engaged youth leaders in skills-building in advocacy and organizing. BSS was responsible for the passage of the States AB 392 and SB 419 and youth development efforts with the LA Board of Supervisors. SJLI continues its work with the California Funders for Boys and Men of Color (CFBMoC) to improve youth diversion and development efforts across the state.Public Health and Environmental JusticeSJLI continues its strong track record to engage community members and activate spaces providing residents and youth with information and ways to educate themselves in approaches and methods that improve neighborhood conditions. SJLI was selected by the non-profit TreePeople, to conduct community presentations, WaterTalks, to generate and increase community involvement in planning a sustainable water future for California. SJLI was also selected by the Liberty Hill Foundation as a key partner in the emPower program. emPower connects low-income residents in economically vulnerable communities to more than 60 money- and energy-saving programs, including ratepayer incentives, energy efficiency upgrades, solar and clean vehicle rebates. So far, SJLI has provided assistance to two residents who were able to purchase zero emission vehicles through the program.Housing JusticeAs the anchor organization for a local housing justice coalition, SJLI helped facilitate this community-led effort addressing gentrification, displacement and housing insecurity in Inglewood and throughout Los Angeles County. The Coalition built and deepened relationships with key stakeholders and critical message carriers, successfully built support among youth, residents, property owners and community leaders and educated homeowners, block clubs and residents about the complexities of housing issues. Community members became more involved in educational outreach efforts As a result of our work, Inglewood City Council first adopted a temporary and then a permanent rent stabilization ordinance. This was the first rent stabilization ordinance passed in Los Angeles County in a generation.SJLIs principal funding sources are government contracts, foundation grants, and individual and corporate contributions.