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Southeast
Community Facility Commission
M I N U T E S
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2001
6:00 P.M.
1800 Oakdale Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94124
I. Call to Order:
Commission President Millard Larkin called the Wednesday, April 25, 2001 meeting to order at 6:11 p.m. in the Alex L. Pitcher Community Room at 1800 Oakdale Ave.
II. Roll Call:
Present: Commissioner Bobbrie Brown
Commissioner Millard Larkin II
Commissioner Malik Looper
Commissioner Enola Maxwell
Commissioner Kim Nguyen
Commissioner Atiliai Tofaeono
Not Present Commissioner Heidi Hardin
Staff Present: Robert Bryan, Deputy City Atty., Joseph Tham, PUC/Commercial
Land Mgmt.; Toye Moses, and Exec. Dir., SECF; Kathy Basconcillo,
SECF Commission Secretary
III. Approval of Minutes:
Commissioner Maxwell moved and Commissioner Brown seconded to approve the minutes of March 28. Motion passed.
Commissioner Brown moved to approve the minutes of April 12 pending a correction under New Business and Commissioner Looper seconded. Motion passed.
V. Public Comment: None offered at this meeting.
VI. Communications:
a) Invitations to several CBO's in the Bayview-Hunter’s Point (94124) namely Young Community Developers (YCD), Dwayne Jones, Executive Director; Dept. of Human Services (DHS) One Stop Career Center at Southeast, Cedric Jackson, Director; and Neighborhood Jobs Initiative Roundtable (NJIR), Angelo King, to present the respective programs' plans for summer youth employment, etc.
b) Invitation to the San Francisco Asst. Police Chief Sanders and Bayview Police Capt. "PJ" Jackson is still in progress.
VII. Director's Report:
a) The HVAC Energy Conservation and upgrade project for the Southeast Community Facility has been completed. We can now control the building for heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. Although the project has been signed-off, the contractor is still on-site overseeing software installation and start-up and has agreed to stay on until the project goes under Maintenance Agreement.
b) Phase I of the ADA handicap parking access project has been completed. Phase II, re-grading the lawn area, is currently in progress. Handicap parking stalls have been re-assigned and re-painted. Some additional paint and sign work; however the Commission will be kept appraised.
Commissioner Maxwell moved and Commissioner Brown seconded to accept the Communications and the Director's Report. Motion passed.
To accommodate presenter's schedules, the agenda was moved to with Item IX next.
IX. Presentation - Bayview-Hunter’s Point CBO's Summer (2001) Projects/YCD and DHS Career Center at Southeast: Commissioner Larkin introduced Young Community Developers (YCD) Executive Director, Dwayne Jones. Mr. Jones thanked the SECFC for the invitation and apologized for not having a more detailed analysis of YCD's plans for summer youth employment, but did report that instead of one main, funding source being courted for summer youth employment, that several funding sources and sponsors were in fact being contacted for involvement. YCD experienced some transitioning during the summer program's planning period last year and, although a similar situation presents itself this year, different options present themselves for consideration allowing YCD to provide at least 50% (hopefully about 125%) of the youth employment opportunities as last summer's program (about 250 total).
One of the obstacles facing this year's summer youth employment program is that the funding sources(s) or ‘vehicles' haven't been clearly defined as yet. Since the vehicle hasn't been defined, then the applications (student can usually get through schools as well as CBO's) are not yet available and may not be until after school is out. Through/ on the applications the requirements are not yet defined and therefore we don't have the requirements with which to accept applicants for (different segments of) the summer youth employment program. However, through the Youth Opportunity Grant (YOG) there does appear to be some funding summer youth employment. Mr. Jones suggested inviting Mr. Leonard Gonzales, YOG Director to answer additional questions/concerns (i.e.: Will YOG fund a youth employment program this summer? For how many kids?
Back at YCD, ‘Chocolate City' has been brought back in this 7th year as ‘Chocolate City II' with 55 kids currently enrolled, but the process has been slow due to bringing the Private Industry Council (PIC) on board. However, we expect to be able to affect between 250-300 kids this summer simply due to a slightly different older target group than in the past. The plan is that we will be able to include other organizations (i.e. SLUG, Infusion One, etc.) in this program.
Through Chocolate City there are a number of "tracks" participants can be engaged in: a) students sent to other non-profits (organizations) and City Depts. working as ‘aides' to the organization/depts., b) graffiti removal/clean-up (for students that need to be outside and engaged in ‘physical' activity) at pre-designated sites (i.e. Boys & Girls playground, pulling weeds) - this track could roll into a ‘year-round' activity, and then c) for graduates (17-1/2 and 18) a trade faire the day after graduation, exposing them to how to get into the different construction trades (excellent opportunity to prepare for all construction type development and re-development projects coming on-line to get into an apprenticeship and subsequently get into jobs as fast as possible.
The contact person at YCD for the summer youth employment program is Yolanda Harris. There are currently real jobs that students to sign up for; however due to the tedious and complicated process of matching applicants with the financial requirements of some of the enterprise zones we may have lost a few of the less persistent students. We are currently working on a "no turn away policy" to accommodate as many kids from the community as we can.
Some of goals of the summer youth employment program are two-fold: for the younger students, a broader exposure to a cross-industry work force, instill a work ethic and a connection of education to work; for the older students, it's narrower exposure to various careers and a transition off the current system (working through a subsidized program) to enable them to develop and seek work for themselves.
Mr. Jones explained that the Commission could assist in a) securing funds for the summer program, b) defining requirements and the application process simply by sending a letter of inquiry/to express concern to the Mayor's Office/MYEEP. Commissioner Larkin also requested a list of jobs currently available to youth for summer employment.
Next, Manager of the DHS/Southeast Career Center, Cedric Jackson was asked to make a brief presentation on his program plans for summer youth employment. He explained that the City has four (4) "Enterprise Zones": South of Market, Mission, Bayview-Hunter’s Point (Admin. Office at YMCA HQ, BayView Plaza and 1601 Lane), and Visitation Valley. There are no income criteria and the age range is 14-21; the only requirement is that the applicants reside in one of the four Enterprise Zones. Components of the summer program will include: English as a Second Language (ESL), job training, soft skills training (job preparation: i.e., appropriate dressing, resume writing, assistance with application); additional information is available at ‘www.hud/ECEZ/locator.org' and ‘picSanFrancisco.org'. The Mayor's Office has also made $.5 million available for youth employment and, although the number of youth to be targeted hasn't yet been determined, last year the program was able to impact about 250 youth from the BVHP.
In response to Commissioner Looper: There is a two-prong focus to the Workforce Investment Act, one on adults, the other on youth. The Youth One-Stop, although a functioning staff is already in place and planning the summer youth program activities, they are not yet utilizing a secured facility. This program is funded by a $7M grant called Youth Opportunity Grant (YOG), which has resulted in a system called YOSF (Youth Opportunity San Francisco). The Youth One-Stop system, still in the process of being developed will be structured/patterned after the Adult One-Stop, one of which is run here at Southeast. This is the program that Leonard Gonzales and his staff will return to explain in detail at a Commission meeting after May 4 (when the criteria is due to be developed and applications should be available).
In response to concerns raised by Commissioner Maxwell, Mr. Jackson explained that the Enterprise Zones, set-up according to census track data (lowest income areas), do not cover all areas of the City. However, hopefully additional moneys/ other funding will be made available to funds areas that do not fall within one of the four Enterprise Zones (i.e. Potrero Hill and Western Addition).
Mr. Leonard Gonzales briefly explained that the Youth Opportunity Grant (YOG) funds an intensive case-management program beginning with in-take and educational assessment (determine reading, math, and basic skills level) and job or training placement with a 24-month follow-thru/up while charged to "Enable, employ and educate" youth throughout the City.
Summer Youth Employment is only one component of the YOG Program, which may also include: Employment with 12-month follow-up, family support, continuing education, homelessness, short- and long-term goals, continuing/ collaborating with some of the City's existing 120 CBO's as well as funding efforts that compliment or supplement the Enterprise Zone funding. Summer jobs applicants can be from a) school partnerships: 250 placements for 10-12 grade in-school youth in the private sector/private sector partnerships (i.e. Charles Schwab,
CalFed Bank, BankAmerica, McKesson) or CBO's; b) about another 250 placements through Mayor's Youth Education and Employment Program (MYEEP); c) another 120 through San Francisco Youth Works, for placement in City Depts. and Agencies. While it is imperative to connect with in-school youth, at least 15% of these total youth employment placement are for ‘out-of-school' youth, with a further focus on either getting them back in school or at least a GED.
Mr. Gonzales then accepted the invitation to return with his staff for a full presentation of the Program. Commissioner Brown requested the return presentation be calendared soon since summer was basically upon us.
Before the next presentation, Commissioner Larkin acknowledged the presence of current Bayview Police Station Capt. ‘PJ' Jackson who will present at the next Commission meeting (given the last topic of discussion regarding summer plans for local youth and the addition of current acts of violence in the Community).
VIII. Presentation from Mr. George J. Smith, Dir. of the Mayor's Office on Homeless-
Homelessness - Updating on the status of Homeless/Emergency shelters in San Francisco, specifically the Bayview-Hunter’s Point:
After thanking the Commission for the invitation to present, Mr. Smith passed around hand-outs including: a Draft and an Executive Summary (entitled) - Continuum of Care: A 5-year Strategic Plan for Homeless Services 2001 - 2006, and the Fall 2000 Home- less Count Report. Then he went on to report:
In the City of San Francisco, there currently (during City's non-winter months) exist about 1700 emergency shelter beds. Of those, 1100 are dedicated to single adults (men and women), another 200 dedicated to families, the remainder are a mixture of domestic violence, ‘best' youth, and detox (-ification program). During the winter months the capacity is increase by another 300 beds (using churches as a winter response to cold weather).
The Program is currently in the process of negotiating and re-designing the two largest shelters downtown, the Multi-Service Centers: North of Market (MSC-North) and South of Market (MSC-South). The Contracts with non-profits to run and maintain these City-owned facilities are about 10-years old and we have been receiving a number of complaints regarding these centers: violence, assaults, staff abuses, etc. Previously the City's flagships facilities, they are now out-dated for survival services.
One controversial upgrade plan would be to make MSC-North a mandatory case-management shelter: anyone utilizing the shelter would be required to participate case-management services (i.e. ‘life skills', money management, etc.)
One of the statistics from last year's program show about 61% of shelter users were leaving, but not going to permanent housing. Therefore after an extensive outreach, focus groups, town hall meeting, etc. to come up some ideas on how to bring down these stats, and develop an upgrade to the homelessness program.
The Homelessness Program budget of $80 million breaks out into: emergency shelter, treatment, mental health and associate treatment programs, supportive housing and some permanent housing programs. Unfortunately most of the programs and services are located in downtown San Francisco, not in the neighborhoods.
Statistics of those participating in the shelter system break out into: 45% of single adults are African American, followed by Caucasians at 29% and Latinos at 19%. As far as statistics for families: 49% are African American, then Caucasians at 21%, and Latinos at 16%. Even though the program/services are downtown, the participating population ‘migrated' from various neighborhoods in the City. Therefore, the focus of the Homelessness Program, as should be the focus of the Community response is one of prevention. (i.e. Opening a shelter program at Providence Baptist Church).
Another focus has been to conduct a "Homelessness Count" to see the numbers of people we're actually dealing with. First of all the Federal (HUD) definition of Homelessness breaks out into people living: 1) on the streets, in cars/vehicles; 2) in jail or institutions; 3) in shelters; 4) in supportive (permanent) housing; 5) marginally housed (more than one family or extended members of families in one home).
Particular to the Bayview-Hunter’s Point, the Program has been working with Ms. Barbara Brown who came to us with a proposal for facility in the Bayview. What began as a referral center to other agencies in the community and food pantry has now been expanded to a full-service resource center complete with private services (i.e., showers, lockers, free voice mail, life skills training, state-of-the-art kitchen and dining room for those who are hungry, not just homeless).
This has been quite a feat for the Brown administration as well as this community. Advocacy to keep funding for similar programs has always been very strong to keep them located downtown (out of the neighborhoods). However, at the Homelessness Program we believe the effort to eradicate the crisis of homelessness begins in the Communities and neighborhoods. To that end has been the establishment of the Bayview-Hunter’s Point Hope Center and attached to that is the Providence Shelter, currently with 50 beds which we hope top expand this summer to 75 - 100 beds that also services families.
Since these services are for the homeless in this particular community, supportive evidence can be found in the Homelessness Report [pg. 6 "Population .of the Streets by Supervisory District (# 10)] where there is a need to assist about 416 people (in campers and cars along the waterfront mainly around the Post Office and Islais Creek).
Another program particularly for homeless family assistance in the Bayview is an effort in conjunction with Sojourner Truth Family Services Resource Center at the Franciscan Hotel (154 beds for families). Originally the Franciscan Program was scheduled to close; however, we have been able to create a continuum for families by attaching it to Sojourner Truth. This way we can actually have a facility whereby people are housed and concurrently work on their issues.
Another complimentary component to this continuum for services in the Bayview has been Young Community Developers (YCD), whose current program works with homeless individuals by offering: training, give them appointment skills, make them job ready, this also in conjunction with the Franciscan Program.
In closing, Mr. Smith threw out for thought: there is currently a lot of discussion around homelessness services and its $80M budget and an even larger budget for poverty services. The policy for spending these budgets needs to be determined by the Community. Commissioner Larkin then thanked Mr. Smith for his presentation and invited him to return with an updated presentation in the future. Mr. Smith said he would be glad to return.
X. Introduction of New Business:
Commissioner Brown requested for YOG Director Leonard Gonzales to return with a full presentation on the plans/break-out of funding for summer youth employment;
Commissioner Looper suggested inviting a representative of the Potrero Hill power plant expansion to explain the effect on the Community.
IX. Adjournment:
Commissioner Looper moved and Commissioner Maxwell seconded to adjourn the SECFCommission meeting at 8:04 p.m.
Respectfully submitted: _________________________
(Commission Secretary)
