California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

Porterville Provides Clean, Sustainable Water After Neighbors’ Wells Fail

The East Porterville Water Supply Project offers a model for helping to meet the clean and sustainable drinking water needs of disadvantaged communities.

Truckee’s Mini Mousehole Improves Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety

This project solved a major problem, and now people are encouraged to choose alternative forms of transportation.

La Quinta Transforms Its Workplace Culture to Better Serve the Community

The city set out to create an energetic and engaged workforce and foster a culture of creativity, innovation and passion.

Santa Clarita Court Diversion Program Gives Teens a Second Chance

This innovative program keeps one moment of immature indiscretion from turning into a pattern of criminal behavior that can ruin any hope for a bright future.

Junior Beach Runners Focus on Fitness in Long Beach

The city is changing the lives of local youth at risk for obesity.

Youths DARE to Pay It Forward in Tracy

High school students serve as mentors for younger students.

Temecula’s Arts and Culture Support a Thriving Economy

The City of Temecula won the Award for Excellence in the Economic Development Through the Arts category of the 2017 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program. For more about the awards program, visit www.helenputnam.org

Mill Valley Recreation Expands to Serve Special Needs Families

When families needed better options, the city partnered with a local nonprofit to deliver thoughtful and inclusive community based programming.

Los Amigos Park Grants Residents’ Wishes in Rancho Cucamonga

The community and city collaborated to build a much-needed park.

San Leandro Homeless Compact Takes a New Approach

This partnership provides long-term housing and services to chronically homeless individuals.

Farmersville’s Innovative Dual Roundabouts Welcome Visitors

The project’s safety and traffic improvements helped secure over $3.8 million in grant funds.

Citrus Heights Addresses Homelessness in a Suburban Community

The city launched a pilot program after local homelessness-related services were reduced or cut.

Santa Clarita Focuses on Employee Development

Training and mentoring employees on the job and investing in their growth saves time and money.

Santa Clarita Pushes Back Against Heroin

The city mobilized a hard-hitting campaign to address a crisis.

Woodland Commits to Fitness

A public-private partnership promotes healthy living and provides free fitness classes and more to residents of all ages.

Oxnard Taps Youth to Improve Quality of Life

City Corps participants gain valuable career skills.