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Dear D9 Neighbor,
This month we celebrate Earth Day, and that is easy to do in District 9, given several inspiring environmental justice and greening projects our residents have spearheaded: the Portola Greenway, the Virginia Garden Walk in Bernal, and groups like People Organizing to Demand Environmental and Economic Rights
(PODER) that are transforming areas overburdened by pollution into healthy neighborhoods. In honor of Earth Day and the inspiring work in our community, our April newsletter's organizational spotlight features The Friends of Alemany Farm.
Alemany Farm sustains the largest agricultural site in San Francisco, with a full service community garden, educational programming, and a garden bounty accessible to all. Read below for more amazing facts about this wonderful resource that combats food insecurity by growing over 13 tons of free fresh vegetables every year.
In other news, we are thrilled to share that the Mission Cabins are now fully operating as of April 15th, and so far to date there are 38 guests moved into their tiny homes. Each week there will be more guests moving in until it is at capacity, up to 68 people (a few cabins allow for couples). So far, we are proud to report that some of the hardest to reach individuals who have been on the streets for many years have gladly accepted the offer to move into this tiny cabin community. More details and photos below.
As always, feel free to reach out to me or my staff to share concerns and bright spots from the District that you think we should know about.
In community, |
Homelessness & Street Conditions
Family Homelessness
In response to the current crisis on our streets with families experiencing homelessness, I co-sponsored Supervisor Safai’s resolution urging the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) to develop solutions.
We held our first hearing on this issue in the Rules Committee this past Monday, and heard the harrowing stories of families who have faced barriers in getting shelter due to a system that is at capacity and that sets up roadblocks for newcomer families. This trauma is layered on top of the dangerous journey many of them experienced after being forced to leave their home countries.
This situation is unacceptable. We are a region of plenty, and yet we find ourselves in this with a system set up to fail these children. We can and must take swift and impactful action to start connecting families to stable housing and vital resources to stem the flow of families into homelessness, and support newcomers with resources that will allow them to get stabilized and into housing, with access to legal services and workforce development. We want to call out with a giant thank you - GRACIAS
- to Faith in Action, Dolores Street Community Services, Latino Task Force, Buena Vista Stay Over Program, Good Sam, CARECEN, and so many more community groups that have come together to demand a solution and support our homeless and newcomers families.
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Photo credit: (Top and bottom left) SFGovTv; (Middle left and bottom right) Lila Carrillo. Rules Committee Hearing with families giving testimony. (April 22, 2024) |
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Mission Cabins are Open!
The Mission Cabins village at 1979 Mission Street opened its doors on April 15th. As you well know, the homelessness crisis is the biggest problem facing our city. Now, up to 68 people who have been homeless and living on the streets in the Mission will have dignified shelter and around-the-clock social and health services. I am proud to have championed these cabins with City departments, community advocates, and many neighbors in District 9, and believe they will (and have already) improved many individual lives as well as street conditions in the Mission. Mission Cabins, modeled after the first successful tiny home village in San Francisco, at 33 Gough Street, is comprised of 60 individual
cabins (outfitted with a bed, desk, bureau, efficient heater/air conditioning units, outlets, and locking doors), shower/bath trailer, full kitchen and community spaces. Residents receive 3 full nutritious meals per day, case management, healthcare, and link residents to therapy, addiction recovery support, workforce development, and so much more in order to prepare people to be able to move into more permanent supportive housing.
The cabins are on the site of a future 100% affordable housing site that won’t break ground for a few years yet, taking advantage of the space and filling a great need meanwhile. With the agreement of establishing this tiny cabin village on this site, my office has advocated for City resources to be dedicated to maintaining safe and clean conditions around the shelter site and throughout the Mission. |
| Photo credit: Ana Herrera. Mission Cabins. (Bottom photo) Supervisor Ronen speaks with HSH Director McSpadden at the Mission Cabins opening walkthrough (April 2024). |
Street Vending
In partnership with the Mayor’s Office, we passed legislation to safeguard street vending permits from theft and strengthen SF Public Work’s enforcement of street vending laws focused on merchandise. It’s one of many steps we’re taking to shore up our street vending program while we have a Mission Street moratorium on street vending in place. You can read more about the legislation in these articles from the
SF Examiner and SF Chronicle. Meanwhile, we continue to address illegal activities by fencers of stolen goods, advance enforcement solutions at the state level, and partner closely with legitimate street vendors. Those previously permitted on Mission Street are now selling at La Placita on 24th and Capp, an expanded marketplace sponsored by the City. We encourage you to support these legitimate vendors by
shopping at La Placita. |
Justice for Survivors*
Hearing on the Office of Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP)
* This section contains language about sexual assault and sexual harassment
Six years ago, in 2018, I called for a hearing on how sexual assault and harassment cases were handled by City departments when victims came forward to seek justice against their attackers. What we heard at that time is that survivors had little to no recourse when their allegations of sexual assault were discounted by City departments. In response to that hearing, I created the Office of Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention, also referred to as SHARP.
Last week, after reading an incredibly concerning article about allegations of sexual assault and a disturbing lack of response to victims, I called another hearing to understand why this is still happening.
SHARP was designed to receive complaints concerning the manner in which any City department has responded or failed to respond to allegations of sexual assault or harassment, and help the complaintants resolve their grievances. The Office should also be recommending policy changes to lawmakers to make reporting sexual assault an easier and less traumatizing process.
Sexual violence in the United States was exposed as a national epidemic in 2018. And despite the hearings, the growing social justice movements, and the blinding light shined on countless allegations of sexual assault and harassment, we have failed to stand up meaningful and effective interventions to not only end the violence, but provide the survivors with meaningful avenues for justice against their attackers.
This hearing will examine how sexual assault and harassment allegations are handled by City law enforcement agencies. In particular, how the San Francisco Police Department investigates crimes and how they engage with survivors who have filed reports. It will look into how the District Attorney’s office works with survivors after their cases have been referred to their office. We will also look into the efficacy of SHARP and ways in which it can be improved to fulfill its mandate. Keep your eye out for this hearing to come in the next month. |
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EDUCATION/SF YOUTH
Youth Commission Applications Open for 2024/2025 School Year!
Please spread the word. This is a great opportunity for our young people in San Francisco to gain leadership skills, and experience working with their peers to follow what is happening at City Hall and ensure youth voices are heard. We need applicants from all Districts so share far and wide! The District 9 Youth Commissioners have always been great advocates for youth issues, and we meet with them regularly to get their input on legislation.
All San Francisco youth between the ages of 12 and 23 years old can apply. Deadlines is Friday, May 10th at 11:59pm. Applicants will have to fill out demographic and informational questions, as well as 5 essay-based questions (200 word minimum), to help our SFYC staff and Mayor/Supervisors to get to know these applicants better!
Please spread the word about this application to youth who may be interested in applying, especially youth who come from marginalized or underrepresented communities! To apply go here. For more information about the Youth Commission, go here or check out their
instagram @sfyouthcom.
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GREEN SPACES AND BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS IN D9
Good Prospect Community Garden Expansion • Call for Community Input on Artist Proposals
The Bernal Heights Art and Mural (BHAM) Committee is working on securing funding from the City's Community Challenge Grant (CCG) program to help improve and beautify the Good Prospect Community Garden, located on Prospect between Cortland and Santa Marina. BHAM distributed a Request for Proposals in December 2023 soliciting artists to submit qualifications, visions and design concepts for artwork in the garden. Four artist finalists were selected from the pool, and now BHAM is requesting engagement from the broader Bernal Heights community to weigh in on their preference of artist/s to be selected for the project.
The grant application to CCG will be far more competitive if it includes the artist selected for the project, especially if the community has offered input on this selection. Go to the Bernal Beautiful website which has information about the artist finalists. We encourage the community to review the artists' work, click on the selection form to complete it and have your voices heard.
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| Photo credit: Renderings from Good Prospect Community Garden renovation project. |
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Alemany Farmers' Market
I have heard from many of you concerned about the recent release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) on behalf of the Real Estate Division (RED) for non-profit entities interested in leasing the Alemany Farmers' Market property at 100 Alemany Blvd. Without question, the Alemany Farmers Market - also known as the Peoples’ Market - is a beloved and valued institution that plays a critical role in food security and by extension community health and well-being in San Francisco. RED has explained to me that the purpose of this RFP is to find an organization that will commit to managing the Farmers’ Market on Saturdays, at minimum
, and potentially expanding it, while allowing for the activation of the property through community events on other days of the week. Any final proposals would include a process for community input with key stakeholders (including the farmers, market patrons and the community at large). Leasing the property requires Board of Supervisors approval at a public hearing, and I would hold RED to their commitment to continuing our Alemany Farmers Market.
Should you have any further concerns, please contact
ronenstaff@sfgov.org |
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Spotlight on a D9 Community Organization
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To lift up the amazing work that is happening every day in Bernal, the Mission and the Portola, we are featuring the work of one D9 organization in each newsletter. This month features… |
Friends of Alemany Farm
is a non-profit that manages the horticulture, volunteer, and educational programs at Alemany Farm, a 3.5 acre organic farm ecosystem in southeast San Francisco. The farm sits on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone peoples who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula, and the original stewards of this land. Friends of Alemany Farm grows food security and educates local residents about how they can become their own food producers. They strive to increase ecological knowledge and habitat value, and to sow the seeds for economic and environmental justice. All of the food grown is given away for free to neighbors, volunteers, The Free Farm Stand, and other community groups.
Alemany Farm also provides education to youth and community members, offering workshops on urban farming, and holds events on gardening, composting, environmental stewardship, and more. They have a robust internship program during the school year and summer, and host classroom field trips.
In 2023, the farm grew over 13 tons of food, all distributed for free to the local food pantry, community organizations, through open harvest to visitors and volunteers. Providing fresh produce to San Franciscans impact health and food security city-wide, and the farm itself contributes in so many ways to San Francisco's environmental goals.
In celebration of Earth Day, Alemany Farm is hosting a wonderful event this Saturday that will bring out hundreds of people throughout the day. The weather is going to be sunny and beautiful and there will be interactive activities throughout the day. Please join us!
🌍 Earth Day at Alemany Farm! 🌎
Saturday, April 27th
11a - 3p |
Other Happenings in D9 and City-wideHere are a few free community events coming up...mark your calendars!!
•• SATURDAY, MAY 4th
de youngsters Day Out!
10a-5:15p
The de Young Museum
Announcing the third annual de Youngsters Day Out on Saturday, May 4th (10a-5:15p). This event is open to every Bay Area family and free of charge. The all-day community event includes art-making activities, in-gallery conversations and entertainment, collaborations with local contemporary artists, and live performances and music. Last year we saw over 6,000 attendees, provided 5 free shuttle buses for over 400 children and their families not directly served by public transit, and featured programming with 9 community partners.
Generous sponsorship ensures de Youngsters Day Out is free and open to all. This event is a celebration of the work that is done all year around at the Fine Arts Museums to expand access to art and art education. Since the launch of our Free Saturdays program, we have welcomed over 550,000 visitors free of charge. In FY 2023, our 22 free public education programs served nearly 200,000 visitors, including 18,648 SFUSD students. Proceeds from the event also support our Equity School Partnership Project, which provides in-classroom instructional support, art supplies, and transportation for students who do not typically visit the de Young.
Bernal Village Marketplace Pop Up
11a-6p
434 Cortland
A local marketplace that brings makers together to share their products and passions with the community!
•• SATURDAY, MAY 18
SF Housing Expo 2024
10a - 2p
Leola M. Havard Early Education School
Learn about affordable housing resources and education in San Francisco presented by HUD-approved housing counseling agencies, the San Francisco Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) and industry professionals.
•• SATURDAY & SUNDAY, MAY 26th & 27th
CARNAVAL 2024!
This year marks the 46th Anniversary of San Francisco Carnaval’s Grand Parade & Festival. The theme this year is... Let the Drums Speak... more to come on Carnaval in next month's newsletter. |
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