The city of Goleta’s award-winning LEAD Goleta Bilingual Community Academy is now taking applications for its January/February class. LEAD stands for Learn, Empower, Advocate and Discuss.

LEAD Goleta recently received the Cal Cities 2024 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence in the category of Enhancing Public Trust, Ethics, and Community Involvement. Learn more here.

Space is limited to 30 participants for the six-week bilingual class, which provides a up-close look at how local government works.

Enrollment priority is given to Goleta residents, but the program is open to anyone who lives Santa Barbara County. High school and college students are encouraged to apply.

Apply here in English. Apply here in Spanish.

Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how to get involved in shaping the future of Goleta, whether it’s staying informed, volunteering, applying for a board or commission, or even running for City Council, the city said.

The LEAD Goleta Academy will be held 6-8:30 p.m. Thursdays for six consecutive weeks starting Jan. 16. Prospective participants must be able to attend all classes.

Most classes will be at City Hall Council Chambers, 130 Cremona Drive, with the exception of two classes that will be at the Goleta Valley Library and Goleta Community Center.

The course concludes Feb. 20 with a graduation ceremony.

To view a short video promo in English, click here; in Spanish, click here. This is the third time LEAD Goleta will be offered in Spanish, and the fifth overall Community Academy.

For more information, visit www.CityofGoleta.org/LEADGoleta.