San Francisco Youth Commission

Hey community, we are continuing our commissioner Instagram takeovers! You’ll get a peak into our daily lives as your youth representatives on the Youth Commission. Starting off this new year is commissioner Sarah Cheung, mayoral appointee & civic engagement committee chair!

Happy Inauguration Day! One of the highlights on this new day is hearing the poetry, vision, and wisdom of young 22 -year old, L.A.-based, Amanda Gorman. The youngest inaugural poet in U.S history read The Hill We Climb, which she finished after the riot at the Capitol. https://www.cnbc.com//inaugural-poet-amanda-gorman-deliver

HUGE VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!! "This is actually much more historic [than] most people think. It’s not often you hear about supportive housing tenants organizing for the issues within, said Jordan Davis, who staged two hunger strikes while fighting to establish the rent cap. Perhaps this will create a movement of not just focusing on housing the formerly homeless, but what conditions, rules and rental rates we are housing them under.

We’ve been working with SFMTA to make sure young people’s ideas and vision for a just transit system get uplifted and recognized. Check out this opportunity. Any San Francisco resident between 14- and 18-years old can apply by Jan. 18. Though no prior work experience is provided, the agency does encourage applicants to have interest in transportation, urban planning, public health, environmental policy, public education, city government, and/or social justice. One represen...tative from each of The City’s supervisorial districts will be selected to sit on the board plus up to six at-large members, and the agency said it plans to create an inclusive board representative of the diverse identities, backgrounds, and experiences of San Francisco youth. Members will be expected to serve a one-year term, attending roughly two meetings each month beginning late February, and conduct any community outreach, as necessary. They’ll also receive $25 per meeting attended as well as gain professional experience. During those meetings, members will assess and recommend city transportation policies, programs and projects based on their experiences and community’s needs, the SFMTA announcement said.

"Countless young people of color across the United States learned about the power of protest firsthand following George Floyd’s death in the spring. They organized marches, vigils, sit-ins, and, yes, occupations of government property and they did so at great personal risk." via Rolling Stone https://www.rollingstone.com//black-lives-matter-protests/

Check out the guide for rent negotiation application for those who live in California: "How to Negotiate a Rent Reduction During the Pandemic" TLDR:... compare rent in your 'hood organize fellow tenants promise back rent if your landlord forgives a % Please read and share, for those who may need it!

Today at 2:15~ we want you to join us on public comment speaking in support of #30RightNow and Stopping the Shut Down of SIP Hotel Closures! The SIP hotels hearing is right after (the SIP organizers are giving 3:30, but it could be before or after given we don't know how long #30RightNow will go). You should do the following in order to give public comment Dial: 415-655-0001 on your mobile phone or landline... Then, press the access code 146 414 8528 # Then, press # again and you are in the meeting Then, press *3 to get in queue Here is the link to today's Budget and Finance Cmte meeting agenda: https://sfbos.org/sites/default/files/bfc120920_agenda.pdf

If you have any information on her whereabouts, please call the SFPD non-emergency number at 415-553-0123 or the number of the local jurisdiction if not in SF, and please reach out to her family/community with the info provided here. Call Vicky at 415-240-5155

Tomorrow we have Housing Justice on our minds and community in our hearts! Join us tomorrow from 2:30 pm to give public comment at the Budget and Finance Committee for the #30RightNow campaign and SIP hotels item. We demand that the $1 million be spent to lower rents for some SRO residents to 30% of their income. The mayor’s administration has a responsibility to follow through on their commitments and to execute the signed budget. We also need legislation that requires all ...current and future buildings under the Department of Homelessness to have rents at no more than 30% of income. Although it will cost an extra $8 million in these troubled times, certainly, we can divest from policing and jails, as well as seek new revenue sources, to further budget justice. And stick around to give public comment on the Shelter In Place hearing (3:30) after regarding the legislation to stop the hotel closures, until an adequate plan is in place that provides real housing solutions. The city is closing down the "SIP Hotels", where they have sheltered homeless people who are vulnerable to Covid. 500 people will be made to leave by December 21st, right before the holidays. The rest of the 2300 residents must leave within months after that. The city says no one will be sent back to the streets, but their plan just doesn't add up. Supervisor Haney and others have sponsored legislation to stop the closures which we can support through public comment at this hearing.

Brilliant facilitation and smooth transitioning all around. We were so glad to take part and take notes on the candidates answers. This event was a great example of youth taking the reins on holding elected officials accountable to their constituents!

We had a great time last Friday at the Great Youth-Led Questioning of BOE Candidates Forum and also enjoyed the raffle at the end. We are so proud to have cosponsored this @colemanadvocates event with @lyricsf @missiongrads @cpa. The questioning forum began with brief introductions of the MCs of the event, which were various youth from the host organizations. They went over the agenda of the event and also briefly discussed the importance of voting and certain policies on th...e upcoming ballot like Prop G, Prop 15, and Prop J. Following these announcements, the Board of Education candidates each gave their introductions and pitches for why they are running for the position. The candidates present were Mark Sanchez, Michelle Parker, Matt Alexander, Kevine Boggess, Jenny Lam, and Alida Fisher. Following this, the questioning portion of the event began with the MCs giving each candidate one youth submitted question regarding issues such as youth voice and involvement on the Board of Education, accountability for SFUSD staff, how they plan to address the opportunity and achievement gaps in black and brown communities, and how they plan to improve distance learning and eventually get youth back in school safely. Many of the candidates emphasized the need and importance of uplifting youth voices and community outreach when addressing the issues within SFUSD, the need for a more equitable system as a whole, importance of youth health and making it more accessible, and the need for more funding that would make all these things possible. Overall, this event was a great example of what youth involvement looks like regarding issues that affect us. It is crucial that the Board of Education candidates hear from the people they will be serving and that youth and their families can hear back about the issues they experience in SFUSD and how the candidates plan to address them and hold them to it once elected. You can catch the event on our Facebook or Coleman Advocates! *notes taken by our D1 youth commissioner, Jayden Tanaka.*

The Youth Commission has historically been an advocate for defunding the police. We have been very clear on where we stand on matters relating to the SF Police Department, which also includes the current legislation and community discussions regarding the Police Officers' Association (POA) and the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU). In this current political climate, the Youth Commission has increased its focus on police matters knowing the negative impacts that pertain to chi...ldren and youth in San Francisco, specifically. As a body, the Youth Commission has taken two formal stances in the month of November on the POA MOU and agreed to codify this not only through our legislative actions but also by signing onto a letter, authored by Defund SFPD Now. Below is the link to the letter sent by our Legislative Affairs Officer, Commissioner Quick to the Board of Supervisors advising them to reconsider their position on the racist POA MOU. https://www.sfexaminer.com//letter-setting-the-record-str/

Young people are more than a prop at a rally or action. Young people are here to demand for better outcomes for ourselves and our communities. Join us at tonight's BOE Candidates Forum!

Plyfaa (she/her) is a new commissioner and first time Vice Chair of the Housing and Land Use committee. She has researched gentrification in San Francisco and has been more involved with housing issues. Plyfaa has firsthand seen the changes in her community. Representing District 4, she is passionate about providing long-term solutions to homeless youth such as housing, job training, and paths to higher education. During COVID-19, Plyfaa organized a benefit for undocumented workers through an online mariachi music fundraiser performance. As vice chair, she wants to work with MUNI and their response to COVID.

Erika Morris (she/her) is a first year commissioner and first time Chair of the Housing and Land Use committee. She is extensively knowledgeable on the housing crisis in San Francisco, especially on gentrification and its impact and understands homeless because she has various friends who are homeless. Erika has contacts in SFMTA which can be useful during her role. Her community work can be tied to being a Founder of the San Francisco Citywide Black Student Union, volunteer Dr. George W. Davis senior center, and volunteer as the Father Saucer Academy Dance Teacher.

Join us in an hour to the Youth led. Youth planned. And youth will deliver the best boe forum. Are you rolling through with us?

Gracie Veiga (she/her) is a first year commissioner and first time Vice Chair of the Transformative Justice Committee. She cares deeply about and has studied issues regarding the criminal legal system and incarceration, and hopes to advocate for system impacted people as well. She has experience working on advocating for transformative justice and having relationships with incarcerated people in San Francisco. Gracie is passionate about reentry resources, abolition, advocacy against San Quentin detention, and bringing in connections with people ready to fight for the same justice. She has experience working on campaigns seeking funding for PPE for incarcerated people. As Vice Chair, she is ready to be intentional with inside-outside outreach.

Rome Jones (he/him) is a second year Commissioner and Chair of the Transformative Justice Committee. As Vice Chair last year, he became dedicated to transformative justice and holding elected officials accountable. As a Black man in America, he commits to ensuring the world for his community will be prosperous and the transformative justice’s mission stays true for the committee and other commissioners. This year he would like to complete more resolutions and work in more you...th input as he knows what's it's like to be the only young person in the room. In addition, he wants to be more aggressive by calling hearings to communicate and taking an aggressive approach for people in power to respond. He is currently in the San Francisco Police Department's Implicit Bias Working Group and was part of the Peer Resources Learning Hub as a response to COVID19. See more

Sarah Ginsburg (she/her) is returning commissioner and new Vice Chair of the Civic Engagement committee. During her first year, she was very passionate about so many issues but was insecure to display her commitment. Since then, she has become confident and has grown tremendously this past year. She seeked out the vice chair position because she wanted an outlet to channel her commitment to Prop G. When Prop G passes she has many plans and wants to foster an environment where the commissioners feel comfortable with one another. Sarah is very passionate about her city but is aware of its serious challenges. She is especially eager to help solve issues regarding homelessness, affordable housing, and youth engagement.

Sarah Cheung (she/her) is a returning commissioner and the new Chair of the Civic Engagement committee. During her time at the commission, she has been going nonstop for Prop G. Through the collaboration she experienced, she was able to find her voice. Last year, she prepared meetings, reached out to organizations, and cheered once the prop was finally on the ballot. As chair, she wants to ensure people feel the power she did when she took upon Prop G commitments. Sarah will put in time and passion in the position to make a successful Chair. Sarah is passionate about providing more opportunities and resources for youth, enfranchising 16 and 17-year-olds, and holding community first.