Young Latinos in the Central Valley will get career boosts with $150,000 program
City Ministry Network, a Central Valley nonprofit, has been awarded a $150,000 grant to expand workforce opportunities for Latino youth in Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties.
The 2025 AHEAD grant, submitted by Oak Valley Community Bank on behalf of the nonprofit, was awarded by the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, according to a press release.
Funding will strengthen City Ministry Network’s Hispanic Youth Leadership Clubs by adding a new career-readiness curriculum focused on soft skills, job shadowing and pathways to both trades and college. The initiative will also launch Latino Leadership Circles at Stanislaus State University and Modesto Junior College, and host annual Youth Leadership Summits to connect and inspire young leaders.
Participants will gain access to coaching, resume support and professional networking opportunities. The grant will also fund a new workforce program coordinator, volunteer training, curriculum development and program resources to help the nonprofit expand its reach.
As a sponsor of FHLBank San Francisco’s Community Investment Programs, Oak Valley Community Bank authored the grant application and provided additional input in support of City Ministry Network’s mission.
“We are proud to support City Ministry Network through this year’s AHEAD grant,” said Jose Sabala, Oak Valley’s community reinvestment officer. “Their commitment to equipping Latino youth with leadership and workforce skills aligns perfectly with our mission to invest in the future of our communities. This partnership with FHLBank San Francisco reflects our shared dedication to creating lasting opportunities and fostering meaningful, sustainable growth throughout the region.”
AHEAD grants allow FHLBank San Francisco members, such as Oak Valley Community Bank, to support local economic development initiatives that address urgent needs in low- to moderate-income communities.
400 AHEAD grant proposals were submitted this year, which Eric Cicourel, community investment officer at FHLBank San Francisco, said underscores the widespread need for support to drive local economic vitality. The 2025 AHEAD Program awarded $8 million in grants to 64 economic development projects across Arizona, California and Nevada.
“We are proud to partner with Oak Valley Community Bank in awarding this grant to City Ministry Network, recognizing the important work they do to empower Latino youth and strengthen communities across Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties,” said Cicourel. “AHEAD is a voluntary grant program and a benefit of FHLBank San Francisco membership that reflects our broader mission to be a dependable source of liquidity for community lenders and a catalyst for housing and economic development in the communities we serve.”
This story was originally published November 7, 2025 at 2:50 PM.
