About
C5 Leaders Los Angeles (C5LA) harnesses the power of nature to equip youth from under-resourced communities with the leadership, resilience, and problem-solving skills needed to thrive in high school, college, and beyond. Through immersive outdoor experiences—including wilderness treks, summer camps, and adventure-based learning—C5LA provides access to critical life skills not traditionally taught in urban, disenfranchised communities, such as teamwork, adaptability, and environmental stewardship. By fostering mental well-being, physical health, and self-confidence, C5LA ensures that young leaders are prepared to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and create lasting change in their communities.
Program Details
Overview
C5 Leaders Los Angeles (C5LA) is a transformational, multi-year youth leadership development and college access program that empowers high-potential youth from under-resourced communities. Our program begins in middle school and extends beyond high school into college and beyond, integrating outdoor experiences, leadership training, and college and career preparation. In the early years, immersive summer camps, outdoor expeditions, and adventure-based learning lay the foundation for resilience, problem-solving skills, and confidence. These experiences deepen participants' connection to nature while preparing them for future academic and professional challenges.
Each year, C5LA serves over 360 students through a comprehensive, year-over-year program that includes leadership retreats, outdoor expeditions, and career exploration. Our outdoor curriculum not only addresses critical community needs such as limited access to green spaces and educational inequities, but also bridges workforce development gaps. Through multi-day treks and camping experiences in national parks, participants build environmental stewardship, teamwork, and leadership skills that serve them well in high school, college, and beyond.
In 2024, C5LA was awarded a transformational $5 million endowment to expand its impact. By 2029, we plan to double our enrollment to 144 students per year. As we grow, our mission remains focused on inspiring the next generation of leaders by harnessing the power of nature and adventure.
Population Served
C5LA supports high-potential youth from under-resourced and historically disenfranchised communities across Los Angeles County. Our program serves students from 8th through 12th grade, guiding them through a transformative five-year leadership journey. What sets C5 Leaders apart is our intentional focus on high-potential, under-resourced middle school students. We target 8th graders from Title 1 schools who qualify for free or reduced lunch and live at or below the federal low-income threshold. Most of our students will be the first in their family to attend college, and many are children of immigrants.
The ideal candidate has a GPA between 2.5 and 3.5, participates in extracurricular activities, and has a supportive family willing to commit to our multi-year program. We focus on the “student in the middle” who is motivated to attend college but lacks the resources and support to make that goal a reality. Our Leaders are resilient, determined, and eager to challenge themselves, with a positive outlook on their future and a drive to succeed.
Demographically, our program is 70% Latino, 15% Black, 10% Asian, and 5% White, with more than 75% being children of immigrants. 100% of our students are first-generation college-bound. Our Leaders are motivated to graduate high school and pursue postsecondary opportunities, demonstrating resilience and a commitment to their educational and personal growth.
Contact Joseph Collins, Executive Director joseph@c5la.org C5LA
Services Offered
Youth Leadership Development – A multi-year program designed to develop leadership skills, self confidence, and resilience in high-potential youth from under-resourced communities.
College Access and Preparation – Comprehensive support to help students prepare for and succeed in college; includes guidance on applications, financial aid, scholarships, and navigating college life.
Outdoor Experiences – Immersive summer camps, multi-day treks, and outdoor expeditions that foster environmental stewardship, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership.
Academic Support – Programs such as the Road to College (RTC) and ACT Now Summit (ANS) that provide targeted academic skills and college readiness training.
Career Exploration and Development – Opportunities for students to explore career paths, build professional networks, and gain internship experiences.
Leadership Retreats – Yearly retreats focused on team-building, leadership training, and self-reflection.
Community Engagement – Activities that foster a deep connection to the community, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.
Alumni Support – Continued guidance for alumni, including mentorship, networking opportunities, and support as they transition to higher education and the workforce.
Cost to Participate
No cost
Staff Composition
Executive Leadership Team
- Joseph Collins, Executive Director – A non-profit leader and educator with over 25 years of experience in youth development. He holds a BA in Education and Masters in Speech Pathology from NYU, and a Non-Profit Executive Management Certificate from Columbia University.
- Jessica Valdez, Chief Operating Officer – A C5LA alumna who has been with the organization for 10 years. She holds a BA in Sociology and Spanish from UCLA.
- Jade Nikolaou, Director of Development – The newest member of the Leadership Team, bringing over a decade of fundraising experience. She has been with C5LA for 8 months and holds a BA from San Jose State University in Journalism, an Executive Management Certificate from UCLA in Enterprise Risk Management, and Executive Women Leadership from eCornell.
Program & Development Team
- Madisyn Clark, Leadership Development Manager – A Los Angeles native with a BA in Political Science from Spelman College and extensive experience in camp administration and teaching.
- Danny Tobin, Leadership Development Manager – Holds a degree in Theatre Performance from Chapman University and has over a decade of experience in camp leadership and youth programming.
- Yesenia Vega, College Access Manager – Holds a BA in Psychology and Sociology from UC Santa Cruz and a Master’s in College Student Personnel from the University of Rhode Island.
- Destiny Suarez, Director of College Success – Oversees alumni support and transitions into college. She holds a BS in Sociology from Mount Saint Mary’s University.
- Cesar I. Ortega Perez, Director of College Access – Has been with C5LA since 2012 and holds a BA in Theatre Arts from UC Riverside.
- Rhiann Joshua, Director of Career Success – Holds a BA in Black Studies from UC Santa Barbara and an M.Ed. in Postsecondary Administration from USC.
Operations & Fundraising Team
- Joy Flores, Development and Operations Manager – A proud C5LA alumna and first-generation college graduate with a BA in Psychology from CSUN.
