Leadership Development
Leadership Development
Our Leadership Development Programs
Are you committed to advancing education equity but need stronger tools to mobilize your community and drive systemic change?
Do you want to make a real impact on children’s education and learn how to create meaningful changes in your local school system?
Community Organizer Training Program (COTP)
Innovate’s Community Organizing Training Program (COTP) provides community leaders with the tools they need to build grassroots power and achieve real policy wins.
This program is designed to strengthen education justice organizing by providing high-quality training and support. It equips both new and experienced organizers with the skills, strategies, and accountability structures needed to build power and drive meaningful change.
Top Ways COTP Transforms Communities
- As trained organizers push for world-class public schools, communities see tangible improvements in educational outcomes and opportunities for their youth.
- When organizers bring together residents, businesses, and institutions, neighborhoods become stronger, fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
- The program connects underserved communities with important institutions through outreach and inclusive organizing, ensuring everyone has equal opportunities and access to resources.
- When residents are informed and engaged, democracy thrives, creating a culture of shared responsibility and community-led progress.
“COTP was a huge boost for our organization’s family engagement strategy. It created the foundation for building true parent power in a way that our organization had not been operating with previously…I came to my organization two years ago with no experience in how to organize parents and COTP helped me create a solid plan and strategy for organizing in our community. COTP helped me build a network…build some really strong relationships with other folks [doing this work].”
The Jose Arenas Parent Leadership Institute
The Jose Arenas Parent Leadership Institute offers programs to help parents, guardians, caregivers, and all individuals interested in improving children’s education become strong advocates for education equity. The Customized Plan is a three-day training tailored to specific community needs, requiring at least 30 participants. The Virtual Plan is a shorter, online version, perfect for both newcomers and experienced advocates.
Parent Leadership Seminars (PLS) are flexible sessions that cover skills like strategic planning, policy advocacy, and organizing. The Annual Assembly brings parents and community leaders together to assess progress, set new goals, and build momentum for change. These programs empower parents to make a lasting impact in their communities.
How Communities Benefit from the Jose Arenas Parent Leadership Institute
- Communities gain empowered leaders equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to drive meaningful change in education.
- The Leadership Institute’s emphasis on applying community organizing principles leads to lasting transformations in local educational systems.
- The program’s inclusive approach ensures representation from diverse backgrounds, fostering a broader coalition for change.
- The institute’s focus on engaging community leaders and advocating for underserved students reinforces the bonds between community members, schools, and local organizations.
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