About the Program
The SV@Home Action Fund’s Civic Leadership Program is a leadership development program designed to encourage and empower community members who already demonstrate commitment to housing, equity, and community to take active roles in furthering housing justice locally.
Participants meet for multiple days as a cohort, learning from SV@Home staff and each other. Topics include how to run for local office or run a local campaign, how to apply and serve on locally appointed boards and commissions (e.g., the planning commission), housing policy, and storytelling and communications.
To support and sustain the Civic Leadership Program, please consider contributing to the Action Fund.
2026 Cohort
Featuring Ruth Melton, Mirella Maldonado, Theresa Do, Antonio Kobe Lopez, Evelyn Keomian-Wood, Jahmal Williams, Tomara Hall, Elizabeth Agramont-Justiniano, Dwight White, Ariana Ziolkowski, Loghann Bellamy, April Webster, Jose Villarreal, Cassandra Magaña, Ra Hopkins, Óscar Quiroz-Medrano, Lou Dimes, and Marika Buchholz.
2025 Cohort
Congratulations to the participants: Paola Campos, Nina Chuang, Sophia Commisso, Malia Pires, Edith Gomez Marin, Estevan Guzman, Elise Lester, Elizabeth Marquez Bernardino, Bryan McCray, Angela Rausch, Karina Solano, J. Isaac Stone, Shalini Venkatesh, Kadence Walker, and Paulina Zapata.
Inaugural Cohort
Congratulations to the participants: Pardis Beikzadeh, Charles DiFazio, Alex Dersh, Ashley Guerrero, Elysa Gurman, Alexander Gvatua, Deb Henigson, Juan Angel Lujano, Citlali Martinez Chavez, Jo Nguyen, Olivia Ortiz, Dominic Quan Treseler, Shreya Rallabandi, Juan Rodriguez Nick Rovetto, Jeff Suzuki, Emily Thomas, Anthony Tordillos, Merry Yen!
To learn more about the Civic Leadership Program, or to be notified about the next opportunity to participate or nominate someone, please email info@svh-actionfund.org.
Testimonials from Participants
“The concrete information about the steps associated with running for office demystified the process and made it feel more attainable.”
“This program has inspired me to look into campaign management and has awakened an interest in running for office in the future. Learning from my peers highlighted the importance of networking and creating bridges within different communities.”
“Not only did the program help me better understand the process by which I could pursue these types of opportunities, I believe it allowed me to recognize traits within myself that I had previously overlooked and helped me establish connections I believe will assist me in the future.”