The League of California Cities awarded the City of Moreno Valley the 2023 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence during its Annual Conference & Expo in Sacramento, California. The City received the prestigious Ruth Vreeland Award for Engaging Youth in City Government. The award recognizes the City’s consortium of five core programs that provide financial assistance, engagement opportunities, and work experience for high school and college students throughout Moreno Valley. Mayor Ulises Cabrera accepted the award on behalf of the City and the City Council. “In Moreno Valley, we have a proud tradition of giving our students the tools and opportunities they need to thrive, and these programs push that tradition to the next level,” said Mayor Cabrera. “It is gratifying to see our work recognized statewide. I want to thank the League of California Cities for this honor and our incredible City staff for their hard work in ensuring the success of these programs.” The award-winning programs include:
MoVaLEARNS: A stipend-based program that pays select Moreno Valley College students a Universal Basic Student Income to stay in school, alleviating many working college students’ “earn vs. learn” dilemma.
College Promise: A program that offers gap funding to offset first-year expenses—such as tuition, fees, and textbooks—for at-risk students and offers advanced services such as access to counselors and student support services
College Corps: Part of the California For All State Volunteer Corps program, where the City employs fellows from Moreno Valley College who receive $10,000 per year and volunteer work through community work/engagement with residents in Climate Action and K-12 education support.
Career Day Academy: A virtual program hosted four times yearly that provides an interactive look at Moreno Valley’s major employers and local workers on their career journeys and career opportunities.
Apprenticeships: Programs that help youth get first-hand experience working in local government by hiring apprentices and hosting annual expos for career learning.
Moreno Valley was one of only ten cities across California to receive a Helen Putnam Award. The City previously won a Helen Putnam Award in 2020 for partnering with Think Together for Expanded Learning Programs. Established in 1982 by the League of California Cities, the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence recognizes and promotes city governments’ outstanding efforts and innovative solutions.