Speakers say 85% of staff on leave as 25 Sacramento programs face defunding

Speakers during a public comment period said about 85% of staff were placed on administrative leave and that 25 Sacramento-based programs face defunding, and they urged attention to the consequences for youth mentoring services.

The claims came from two residents who spoke during the meeting’s public comment period. Commenter 1, a resident, said, “Some 85% of staff abruptly placed on administrative leave. This is all 25 programs based here in Sacramento are being defunded because of these cuts. 1 mentor I spoke to with this program devastated by the news, calling it shocking.” Commenter 2, a resident, said, “We do this work because we care about our community. We care about uplifting and empowering those in our community and striving for greatness. Teaching these young men of color that how to exit survival mode and learn how to thrive. And so with these opportunities taken away, it's just so heartbreaking.”

Both speakers characterized the programs as providing mentoring and services that support young men of color and said mentors were devastated by the reported cuts. The transcript excerpt provided contains only these public comments; no motions, votes or official responses about the claims are recorded in the excerpt.