Leadership

Department Programs

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Legacy LA’s Leadership Department provides programs that develop the leadership capacity of youth living in the Ramona Gardens Public Housing Development. Youth learn about social justice and build community advocacy campaigns. These campaigns create real change in local political arenas of environmental justice, criminalization of youth, drug and alcohol abuse, access to healthy food, and more.

Youth Council

Group of young students and adults holding certificates in front of a decorated backdrop with signs about community benefits and investments, a butterfly decoration. The setting appears to be an awards or graduation event. 
Youth Council Members

Youth Council focuses on developing the leadership capacity of youth living in the Ramona Gardens Public Housing Development. Youth learn about social justice and build community advocacy campaigns focused on creating access to healthy food, environmental justice, criminalization of youth, and drug and alcohol abuse.

Outdoor Equity

Group of people standing on hillside at sunset, silhouetted against sky, some raising hands, one holding a stick, all wearing masks. 
Outfoor Equity Program Attendees on an Overnight Trip

As a recipient of the California Outdoor Equity Grants Program, Legacy LA students improve the health and wellness of Californians through new educational and recreational activities, service learning, career pathways, and leadership opportunities that strengthen a connection to the natural world.

Campaigns

A young person giving a presentation on a stage with a slide showing a bar chart titled 'Fair Market and Median Rent by Zipcode in S.' The background has colorful signs and decorations, including balloons, posters with messages about community benefits and investments, and various hand-made signs and drawings. 
Anti-Gentrification Campaign Presentation

The Legacy Campaigns empower youth to lead grassroots advocacy in their community for environmental justice, public health, and community preservation. Students actively work to combat gentrification, push for mental health and substance use prevention policies, and transform polluted spaces in Ramona Gardens into green community assets. Through hands-on organizing, policy proposals, and steering committees, they gain real-world experience in civic leadership and social change.