HOPE Regional Leadership Institute - Inland Empire
Welcome to HOPE's Regional Leadership Institute - Inland Empire!
This is your go-to resource for everything related to HOPE’s Regional Leadership Institute in the Inland Empire. Here, you’ll find application materials, cohort announcements, program requirements, and region-specific details. The Inland Empire cohort serves changemakers and aspiring leaders from across Riverside and San Bernardino counties, offering a tailored leadership development experience rooted in the needs and opportunities of the region.
Access more information about HOPE’s Regional Leadership Institute here!
The 2026 HOPE Regional Leadership Institute - Inland Empire Application is Open!
Application
To be considered for the HOPE Regional Leadership Institute, please submit an online application that includes the following:
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
- A headshot (preferably high-resolution .png or.jpeg). No selfies, please.
- A $25 nonrefundable Application Fee
- One letter of recommendation. Recommendations from HLI alumnae are encouraged but not required.
You may only apply to one Regional Leadership Institute, and it must be within your area of residence.
Required Qualifications
This is a multi-generational program intended for individuals at all stages of their careers from entry-level to senior-executives who are seeking to launch their skills and knowledge in local advocacy. This program is best suited for those who want to explore the basic mechanics of local processes including how local school boards, cities, counties and special districts work and the internal and external influences that determine outcomes.
HOPE Regional Leadership Institute Participants must:
- Reside in a designated HOPE Regional Leadership Institute area.
- Be a civically engaged resident – examples include voting in local, state or federal elections, attending community events, participating in PTA meetings, attending a city council meeting, voter engagement, etc.
- Have a demonstrated record of readiness for an increasing leadership role in your community.
- Be over the age of 20.
HOPE Programs are open to all qualified individuals. While our curriculum centers Latina experiences as a learning lens, HOPE does not exclude anyone on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, or other protected traits.
HOPE’s Designated Regions for the Inland Empire Region
Below are the counties within HOPE’s Inland Empire Regional Leadership Institute program boundaries, including incorporated cities and unincorporated communities.
County of Riverside
- Incorporated Cities: Banning, Beaumont, Blythe, Calimesa, Canyon Lake, Cathedral City, Coachella, Corona, Desert Hot Springs, Eastvale, Hemet, Indian Wells, Indio, Jurupa Valley, Lake Elsinore, La Quinta, Menifee, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Norco, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Perris, Rancho Mirage, Riverside, San Jacinto, Temecula, and Wildomar.
- Unincorporated Communities: Aguanga, Bermuda Dunes, Cabazon, Cherry Valley, French Valley, Garnet, Good Hope, Green Acres, Highgrove, Homeland, Idyllwild, Lake Riverside, Lakeland Village, Mecca, Mead Valley, Meadowbrook, Mountain Center, Murrieta Hot Springs, Nuevo, Pine Cove, Quail Valley, Romoland, Sage, Sky Valley, Snow Creek, Sun City (now part of Menifee), Temescal Valley, Thermal, Thousand Palms, Valle Vista, Winchester, and Woodcrest.
County of San Bernardino
- Incorporated Cities: Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Big Bear Lake, Chino, Chino Hills, Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Hesperia, Highland, Loma Linda, Montclair, Needles, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino, Twentynine Palms, Upland, Victorville, Yucaipa, and Yucca Valley.
- Unincorporated Valley: Bloomington, Devore, Mentone, Muscoy, and San Antonio Heights. Unincorporated Mountain: Angelus Oaks, Baldwin Lake, Big Bear City, Erwin Lake, Fawnskin/Northshore, Lake Williams, Moonridge, Sugarloaf, Cedarpines Park, Crestline, Lake Gregory, Valley of Enchantment, Arrowbear, Green Valley Lake, Running Springs, Agua Fria, Blue Jay, Cedar Glen, Crest Park, Deer Lodge Park, Lake Arrowhead, Rimforest, Skyforest, Twin Peaks, Lytle Creek, Forest Falls, Mountain Home Village, Mt. Baldy, Oak Glen, and Wrightwood.
- Unincorporated East Desert: Nipton, Rice, Vidal, Vidal Junction, Flamingo Heights, Johnson Valley, Landers, Yucca Mesa, Joshua Tree, Morongo Valley, Gamma Gulch, Pioneertown, Pipes Canyon, Rimrock, Amboy, Cadiz, Goffs, Ludlow, Siberia, and Wonder Valley. Unincorporated North Desert: Baker, Daggett, El Mirage, Helendale, Mountain View Acres, Spring Valley Lake, Lucerne Valley, Newberry Springs, Barstow Heights, Hinkley, Hodge, Kramer Junction, Lenwood, Red Mountain, Oak Hills, Oro Grande, Phelan/Pinon Hills, Trona, and Yermo.
2026–2027 Program Session Dates
The HOPE Regional Leadership Institute – Inland Empire will run from October 2026 through April 2027. The program will include one regional track serving both San Bernardino and Riverside counties, with sessions held both in person and virtually.
Session Details & Locations
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Orientation & Welcome Reception
- Saturday, October 10, 2026
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Session 1
- Friday, October 23, 2026
- Saturday, October 24, 2026
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Session 2
- Friday, November 13, 2026
- Saturday, November 14, 2026
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Session 3
- Friday, January 22, 2027
- Saturday, January 23, 2027
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Session 4
- Friday, March 19, 2027
- Saturday, March 20, 2027
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Graduation
- Saturday, April 3, 2027
Contact
To learn more about the HOPE Regional Institute – Inland Empire, please contact Kimberly Salinas, Manager.