“Mentorship is not something that should be taken lightly,” writes Cal Cities President Gabe Quinto. “It takes time, effort, and is a form of civic engagement in its own right. However, regardless of your experience or seniority, everyone has something to give and something to gain from mentoring.”

When Ontario city leaders asked voters to support major investments in infrastructure, they believed residents should be able to see how those dollars are being used and what progress is being made — whether on regional destination projects or smaller neighborhood upgrades.

“This program is the perfect fit,” says Chris “Six” Nguyen, whose new bike stop is scheduled to open in April. “When I saw the post about the Launch Local! program, I was so excited — I have been wanting to put my energy into our community, and here was my chance.”

The cities of San Ramon, Atascadero, and West Sacramento received top marks for projects that make their streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike. “People are inherently resistant to change, and this wasn’t a little change around edges,” said one city official.