Effective organizing thrives when organizers grow. The Center for Community Leadership strengthens the movement by supporting organizers at every level—helping them sharpen strategies, avoid burnout, and build lasting careers. By investing in their development, we foster stronger campaigns and increase the leadership of marginalized communities in social justice and the community development field.

CCL offers cohort-based programs along with workshops and gatherings for organizers throughout the year.

Introductory Course

• 9-month foundation organizing skills training for new staff organizers
• October – June

Organizing Apprenticeship

• 6-month training and career development program for grassroots leaders new to organizing
• January – June

Advanced Course

• 6-month training and reflection space for experienced organizers
• January – June

Workshops & Gatherings

• Multi-level skills training, peer learning, and movement reflection
• On-going throughout the year

CCL programs are shaped by a guiding framework for community organizing as a power-building practice and strategy that works to win concrete changes in people’s lives and communities.

While our programs vary in length and format, they are grounded in these core elements:

Theory & Practice: While engaging in conceptual learning about the elements of community organizing, participants in CCL programs also practice what they’re learning on the ground and with the communities they’re organizing with. CCL instructors craft learning spaces where organizers can delve into community organizing history, theory, concepts, and key tools and resources to build up, apply, and reflect on their organizing skills.

Cohort-Based Learning: CCL courses bring together cohorts of organizers, providing opportunities for collaborative learning, digging into key questions, reflecting, and sharing about the work of organizing and their development in it. Our courses are spaces where organizers can build and deepen supportive relationships they can lean on in the ongoing movement-building work.

Expertise: CCL instructors are deeply committed to organizing and movement-building, having honed their expertise and craft over years of on-the-ground experience and organizational leadership. Grounded in their in-depth knowledge of organizing and a broader commitment to supporting the learning and development of individual organizers, their organizations, and the communities they work, CCL instructors facilitate a thorough curriculum and offer mentorship, coaching, and feedback to help participants improve their skills and practice.

Organizational Capacity Building: CCL programs are a valuable resource and investment in the onboarding, training, and ongoing development of organizers and organizational leaders, contributing to the overall capacity of ANHD member organizations and other partners and allies.

Networking and Peer Learning Opportunities: CCL courses, workshops, and trainings provide opportunities to gather and connect with a vast network of practitioners and organizations.

CURRENTLY RECRUITING

The CCL Organizing Apprenticeship is a transformative 6-month training and career development program for grassroots leaders who are new to organizing.

It serves as a capacity building opportunity for NYC community-based organizations looking for increased capacity to further local campaigns and get support to train and develop emerging community leaders. 

Hosts may nominate a current member leader from their organization as an Apprentice or apply to go through a process to be matched with an interested applicant.

Become an Organizing Apprentice

Apply here  

During the program, Apprentices:

• Work as an apprentice for 20 hours a week for 6 months (January-June) with a $12,800 stipend
• Gain on-the-ground community organizing experience with an organization
• Learn foundational organizing skills and principles by participating in the CCL Introductory Course and other trainings and workshops to 
• Connect with a cohort of fellow new organizers
• Get career development support and resources through the ANHD and CCL networks 

Application Process

• Fill out the written application by November 7th at 5pm.
• We will reach out to selected candidates to schedule a 15 minute preliminary interview
• Selected Apprentice Finalists looking for a Host Organization match will be invited to a 2-Part Matching Fair:
  • Part 1 on December 2nd, 2-4 PM: to hear about our host organizations and ask questions about the program
  • Part 2 on December 16th, at designated times between 10 AM-1 PM: to interview with Host Site supervisors
• We aim to select and notify apprentices by December 22nd.
• Apprenticeship program will begin with a 3-Day Orientation in person from January 14th -January 16th, 10-4 PM.

Become an Organizing Apprenticeship Host

Apply here  

During the Apprenticeship, Hosts are responsible for:

• Developing a 6-month part-time organizing position for 20 hours a week, including class time
• Hosting an organizing apprentice, providing regular supervision to support their learning and work
• Attending a Host Orientation in December or early January
• Adding the Apprentice to their payroll and to cover the Fellow with either worker’s compensation insurance or liability insurance coverage, unemployment insurance and FICA taxes. Host organizations are also responsible to determine applicable withholdings.
  • ANHD will reimburse organizations $12,800 to be used for Apprentice stipends.

2025-2026 Host Fee

• $5,000 for 6-month part-time cycle (this goes towards part of the Apprentice stipend and program fees)

Application Process

• Fill out the written application by November 7th, 2025.
  • Indicate whether you are nominating someone or looking for an Apprentice Match
• We may reach out to schedule a chat with you if we have additional questions about your application
• ANHD Staff will review applications and select Host Organizations by November 24th.
• Selected Hosts looking for an Apprentice Match will be invited to a 2-Part Matching Fair with dates to be announced:
  • Part 1 on December 2nd, 2-4 PM: To share about your organization and the work the Apprentice will be responsible for with Apprentice applicants
  • Part 2 on December 16th, 10 AM – 1 PM: to interview Apprentice Finalists
• The Apprenticeship program will begin with a 3-Day Orientation in person from January 14th-January 16th, 10-4 PM for Apprentices.

CCL offers organizing trainings and workshops open to the broader ANHD community by CCL instructors and other guest facilitators. Past trainings have included: Building Community Power – Organizing 101; Supervision for Organizers; Making Memorable Meetings.

Check out upcoming trainings from CCL and other ANHD programs, including the Affordable Housing Institute, on our ANHD Training Series page.

All participants in the Organizing Academy courses have free access to all ANHD trainings for the duration of their classes.

Since 2009, over 350 participants have gone through a CCL training program, and over 100 community organizations have been involved in this opportunity.

Examples of campaigns and coalitions participants have worked on include:

• #HomelessCantStayHome
• NYS Rent Law Reform
• Right to Counsel in Housing Court
• Basement Apartments Safe for Everyone Campaign (BASE)
• Policing Reform Campaigns & Ending Solitary Confinement
• Stand For Tenant Safety, Department of Buildings Reform Campaign
• Certificate of No Harassment (CONH)
• Comprehensive Immigration Reform
• Lift the Caps Street Vendor Campaign
• NYC Rent Freeze/Roll Back Campaign
• Predatory Equity Campaigns
• Climate Justice
• NY Healthy Nail Salons Coalition
• Bronx Wide Coalition
• Housing Justice for All

And so much more! Click here for the full list of community organizations we have worked with through CCL.

If you’d like to get updates about CCL, including when program applications open, registration for upcoming workshops and trainings, fill out this form to let us know.

If you have questions about the Center for Community Leadership or its programs, please contact our Capacity Building team at capacitybuilding@anhd.org.