City Heights: A Community Rooted in Diversity, Resilience, and Opportunity

Located in the heart of central San Diego, City Heights is one of the region’s most culturally rich neighborhoods. Home to a broad spectrum of immigrant and refugee families from Latin America, Southeast Asia, and East Africa, the community is shaped by its vibrant cultural traditions and strong sense of identity. 

Despite this richness, City Heights continues to face significant socio-economic challenges, including high poverty rates, limited access to healthcare, and persistent educational inequities. These conditions place added pressure on families and create obstacles for youth striving for long-term stability and success. Yet, what distinguishes City Heights is its deep resilience supported by active grassroots organizations, strong family networks, and a shared commitment to community uplift.

Fern Street Community Arts: Organizational Background

Founded in 1990 as San Diego’s original single-ring nonprofit circus, Fern Street Circus (FSC) is the anchor of Fern Street Community Arts. It has grown into a celebrated cultural institution known for bringing accessible, community-centered performances to neighborhoods across San Diego County. Fern Street Circus blends circus arts with social engagement to strengthen communities, celebrate cultural diversity, and inspire creativity.

Based in City Heights, Fern Street Circus offers after-school programs for youth ages 6–17, teaching circus skills, movement, and teamwork. For over 30 years, it has built confidence, healthy habits, and life skills through the arts while strengthening the San Diego community. Since its founding, Fern Street Circus has been committed to meeting families where they are and adapting its programming to community needs. In 2025, funding from The Prebys Foundation enabled Fern Street Circus to strengthen and expand its Family Services Program, providing individualized parent check-ins and targeted workshops that addressed community-identified needs while enhancing parent well-being and deepening family engagement. The program also fostered stronger connections between caregivers, youth, and the broader community. 

Family-Centered Growth: From Circus to Community Garden 

With support from the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency and a 2025 RLA Project Stipend Award, Fern Street Circus launched a family-centered community garden in City Heights. The garden extends its mission beyond circus arts—promoting wellness, teamwork, nutrition education, and community connection for children and families.

Project Timeline 

May–June 2025 | Planning and Community Input (Orientation)
Gathered community feedback, identified family needs, and finalized the garden design to reflect cultural priorities and shared goals. 

July–August 2025 | Garden Installation (Healthy Food Systems) 
Families prepared the site, built garden beds, improved soil, and planted initial crops—building shared ownership through hands-on work. 

September 2025 | Gardening and Nutrition Workshops 
Hosted workshops on sustainable gardening, nutrition education, and healthy meal preparation to support long-term wellness. 

October 2025 | Ongoing Harvest and Community Building 
Families harvested produce, maintained the garden, and collaborated on future improvements. 

November 2025 | Evaluation, Sustainability and Celebration 
Evaluated outcomes, gathered feedback, developed a sustainability plan, and celebrated community achievements.

Benefits of the Resident Leadership Academy in City Heights

The Resident Leadership Academy (RLA) equips City Heights residents with the skills and confidence to improve their community through culturally responsive training and hands-on learning.

In a diverse neighborhood facing socioeconomic challenges, RLA strengthens leadership, public health awareness, and civic engagement. Residents apply these skills to projects like the community garden—advancing healthy food access, environmental education, and long-term, resident-driven change.

Conclusion

The community garden is more than a space—it reflects the leadership and resilience of City Heights families. With support from the Resident Leadership Academy, the County of San Diego, and local partners, residents transformed an underused area into a hub for wellness, learning, and connection.

By combining environmental education, nutrition, and hands-on skill-building, the garden strengthens Fern Street Circus’s mission and empowers families to shape a healthier future for their neighborhood.