The Mayor has pledged to create positive opportunities and activities for the over 75,000 youth that live in San Francisco.
More info from DCYF
San Francisco is home to more than 50,000 youth in elementary and
middle school and nearly 25,000 youth in high school, all of whom need
positive opportunities and activities in the hours away from school.
Out of school time programs are at the core of the Department of
Children, Youth & Their Families service delivery system and its
largest investment with more than 130 programs funded at over $15
million.
Out of school time programs meet a number of community needs:
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Safe, structured place for children while parents work
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Offers youth development supports and opportunities to assist youth in becoming healthy, successful adults
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Learning activities that can complement the lessons of the school day
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Enrichment opportunities designed to explore the world around them
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Healthy physical fitness and recreational activities
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A place to have fun!
Responding to a Public Priority
The out of school time movement and its programs have gained serious
momentum in recent years. Though out-of-school time has always been
essential to the safety and development of young people, over the past
decade, parents, families, and communities have made these programs a
visible, public priority. According to Election Poll 2004 by the
Afterschool Alliance in Washington, DC, nationally, 9 out of 10 voters
agree that they want all children and teens to have some organized
activity or safe space to go after school. Parents and families want to
be assured that when young people are not at home or school, they are
in a safe place with caring adults where they can learn, grow, and have
fun. San Francisco is no different.
Out of school time refers to more than the traditional
“afterschool,” it includes the time before and after school hours,
during holiday breaks, and summer weeks. Out of school time covers the
wide range of programs that promote learning, take place outside of
regular school hours and enhance the cognitive, social, physical,
artistic and/or civic development of youth. Out of school time programs
provide a safe, accessible space, operate at both school and community
sites, and encourage youth to explore the world around them.
System Building for the Future
San Francisco’s current system of out of school time is vast, made up
of public and private programs, and has much to offer youth and
parents. Yet this host of programs is, at times, uncoordinated with a
number of missed opportunities at collaboration and cohesive
programming. In response, DCYF is working with its funded agencies,
local intermediaries, and foundations to create a more integrated
out-of-school time system in San Francisco. The hope is that a
coordinated effort will:
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Increase funding and availability of programs
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Broker citywide enrichment opportunities
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Centralize information
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Build on the quality of existing and new programs
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Increase the quality of experiences of youth in programs
To meet this goal, DCYF has adopted the Youth Development Supports
and Principles in creating Minimum Compliance Standards and
High-quality Standards for all of its funded agencies. Youth
development principles and practices build upon young people’s assets
and support them to develop skills and a sense of belonging and
empowerment.
Press release link: Mayor Gavin Newsom Honored as an Afterschool Champion in Nation’s Capital
