A network of urban leaders who share, support, and grow together.
UYLN exists to develop and share resources, support one another, and provide real help to urban leaders — so no one has to do this work alone.
Shared
Resources built by leaders, for leaders
Connected
Peer support across the network
Together
Stronger urban leadership in every city
Why UYLN
Stronger together than alone.
Urban leaders carry a lot — and too often, they carry it alone. UYLN brings leaders together to share resources, support one another, and provide the kind of help that only comes from people who actually understand the work.
Develop & Share Resources
Build and exchange leadership tools, curriculum, and best practices across the network — so no leader has to start from scratch.
Support Each Other
A community of urban leaders who show up for one another with encouragement, accountability, and shared experience.
Provide Real Support
Practical help when you need it most — coaching, connections, and resources from leaders who understand urban contexts.
The Need
The data is clear. Urban leaders are stretched thin and under-supported.
Research across mentoring, nonprofit, and youth development sectors shows the same story — there are not enough connected, supported leaders to meet the need in urban communities.
1 in 3
young people grow up without a mentor
MENTOR, Who Mentored You? (2024)
~50%
of nonprofit workers report burnout
Instrumentl, Nonprofit Burnout Pressure Index
9M+
young people in the U.S. still need a mentor
MENTOR National Mentoring Movement
The Mentoring Gap
The gap is widening, not closing.
A decade after MENTOR's first national report, the share of young people growing up without a mentor has not improved — and youth in under-resourced urban communities are disproportionately affected.
Source: MENTOR (2024)
Leader Isolation
Leaders are doing too much, with too little, alone.
Nearly half of nonprofit workers report burnout, with isolation, chronic underfunding, and lack of peer support cited as primary drivers. Networks of mutual support measurably reduce burnout and increase retention.
Sources: CEP State of Nonprofits 2024 · Instrumentl
UYLN exists to close these gaps — by connecting urban leaders into a network where resources, support, and wisdom flow freely.
The Platform
Everything leaders and organizations need in one place.
A shared library of leadership resources, built by the network
Tools to exchange curriculum, lessons, and playbooks between leaders
Peer support circles for encouragement and accountability
Mentorship and coaching from experienced urban leaders
Cross-city collaboration on programs, events, and initiatives
Culturally relevant content created for urban contexts
What You Get
A rhythm of connection — daily, monthly, and yearly.
UYLN gives urban leaders consistent touchpoints to access resources, learn from each other, and gather face-to-face.
Daily
Resource Database
Access a growing, network-built database of leadership tools, curriculum, playbooks, and best practices — anytime you need them.
Monthly
Zoom Network Meeting
Connect live with leaders across cities every month for shared learning, peer support, and collaborative problem-solving.
Annually
In-Person Gathering
Come together once a year for the UYLN annual gathering — deeper relationships, deeper learning, and movement-wide vision.
How It Works
From individual leader to networked movement.
Join the Network
Leaders and organizations onboard through a simple, streamlined process.
Share What You Know
Contribute resources, lessons, and tools that other leaders can use right away.
Support & Be Supported
Get help when you need it. Show up for others when they do.
Strengthen Your City
Apply shared wisdom to grow leaders and impact in your local community.
Who it's for
Built for anyone developing leaders in urban communities.
Whether you lead a team of 5 or a network of 500, UYLN gives you the tools and community to build leadership at scale.
Churches & ministries
Nonprofits & community organizations
Urban leadership programs
City networks & coalitions
Leadership
Led by practitioners who've done the work.
UYLN is guided by leaders with decades of experience equipping urban youth workers and building faith-based leadership pipelines.
Co-Director
Bobby Lopez
The "Godfather of Urban Youth Leadership"
Bobby Lopez is a leader and strategist committed to developing faith-based urban youth leaders. He serves as Co-Director of the Urban Youth Leaders Network, equipping leaders to create real impact in their communities.
He is a former Director of the UYWI Los Angeles Fuel Network, UYWI Certification Facilitator, and member of the Turn Your Campus Directors Team — with years of experience training and mobilizing youth leaders.
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Bobby is the Executive Pastor of Hillside North OC and CEO of Passion SoCal Network, leading efforts to disciple youth and transform communities across Southern California.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, he is a Life Pacific College (San Dimas) alumnus, husband, and father of five.
Co-Director
Maritza Rebollar
The "Big Sister of San Clemente"
Maritza Rebollar is a dedicated leader, mentor, and advocate for young people in Southern California. With a deep passion for discipleship and community transformation, she has spent years investing in the lives of youth — guiding them through faith, leadership, and real-life challenges.
She previously served as a youth leader at San Clemente Presbyterian Church, helping disciple students into confident, faith-driven young leaders, and later as a former Elder and Youth Director at UNIDO's South OC, empowering youth from diverse backgrounds to grow in character and purpose.
A graduate of the Urban Youth Workers Institute (UYWI) Certification Program, Maritza is specially trained in urban youth ministry and leadership development. She also serves within the CCDA Immigration Network, advocating for immigrant communities and bridging faith and justice.
Known for her relational strength and unwavering presence, Maritza shows up consistent, compassionate, and committed — walking alongside the next generation to love, lead, and lift others into the fullness of who they were created to be.
Part of a Larger Movement
Rooted in CCDA. Built for urban youth leaders.
UYLN is an initiative of the Christian Community Development Association — a national network of practitioners committed to restoring under-resourced communities through relocation, reconciliation, and redistribution.
We carry forward CCDA's commitment to community-rooted, justice-driven development — applied specifically to the leaders raising up the next generation in urban contexts.
CCDA's Core Commitments
- Community-rooted leadership
- Justice & reconciliation
- Empowering local leaders
- Holistic, long-term development
Join the network
Ready to build leadership in your city?
Get started with UYLN — connect with the network, access leadership tools, and start developing leaders today.