RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) – The City of Rancho Cordova has been selected as a recipient of a $175,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS).

The grant will support an innovative initiative aimed at strengthening community-police relations through educational programs focused on arts and STEM integration for underserved youth at the Rancho Cordova Youth Center.

The project will incorporate local artists into the existing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programming at Rancho Cordova Youth Center, expanding it into a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) model while fostering meaningful interactions between youth and law enforcement through hands-on, collaborative activities.

Led by the city in collaboration with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento, Rancho Cordova Police Activities League, Rancho Cordova Arts and the Cordova Community Council, the new STEAM programs aim to boost educational engagement, reduce juvenile delinquency and strengthen community connections for children at the youth center.

“This grant is an incredible opportunity for our city to further invest in the success and future of our youth,” said Mayor David Sander, Ph.D. “By integrating arts and STEM education, we are providing young people with the tools they need to thrive, while also strengthening the connection between our community and law enforcement.”

With its scalable design, the program has the potential to expand beyond Rancho Cordova, serving as a model for other communities looking to implement innovative approaches to youth engagement and community policing. This award not only recognizes the immediate benefits for local youth but also highlights Rancho Cordova's forward-thinking approach and elevates Rancho Cordova as a national model for community policing.

With the help of partners such as the Cordova Community Council, the initiative will also leverage local resources, including the Mills Station Arts & Culture Center (MACC), to enrich the educational experiences offered to youth.

For more information about Rancho Cordova Youth Center and the free youth programs offered year-round, visit cityofranchocordova.org/residents/new-businesses-and-projects/rancho-cordova-youth-center.