District 5 in less than 5 minutes – here’s the TLDR of this newsletter:
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We’re making progress in the Fillmore – join today’s virtual Fillmore Community Action Plan meeting.
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We’re launching a Youth Violence Prevention Program to give our young people a real chance at life.
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During a hearing called due to community concerns regarding a halfway house, we upheld our San Francisco values of justice, accountability, and fairness.
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Thanks to community outreach and city partnership, we connected an unhoused resident on the street to services indoors.
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For Veterans’ Day, we honored Mr. Douglas Jenkins, a proud Veteran and a lifelong advocate.
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Opportunity alert: Apply for the springtime internship with my office!
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Access organic, sustainably grown produce directly from local farmers as a CalFresh recipient here.
Keep reading for more 👇
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Dear Neighbor,
Last week, my office partnered with City departments to host the second Fillmore Community Action Plan community gathering, a meeting to co-create an investment blueprint for the future of the neighborhood.
But the Fillmore deserves action today, too, so we shared four recent milestones from the City:
1. We’re creating an entertainment zone in the Fillmore, which passed its first vote at the Rules Committee this week.
2. There's progress at the Safeway site: the developer has begun meeting with the City to discuss future plans for a wholesale grocery store and housing, and has agreed to meet with the community for input on upcoming decisions.
3. We helped connect the Freedom West 2.0 project with Building Trades labor unions to explore a partnership with the developer for a local hiring program.
4. We announced plans for a commemorative street-renaming process on Pierce Street to celebrate Carmen Johnson's decades of service.
We're committed to making progress on issues that matter most, like housing, jobs, and food access, and we invite you to join the Community Action Plan process to make your voice heard. If you were unable to join in person last week, you can join online today from 6-8pm by registering here to receive a meeting link.
In service, |
Tenderloin Youth Violence Prevention Program
A few weeks ago, I introduced a resolution calling for youth violence prevention programming for the more than 3,500 children and youth living in the Tenderloin who face unsafe streets, drug activity, overdoses, and violence. And for too long, they’ve been invisible in the conversation about this neighborhood, but we're changing that by launching a Youth Violence Prevention Pilot Program that will provide mentorship, violence intervention, and structured programming for up to 20 youth and transitional-aged youth (ages 12–24).
When we listen to community, real change happens – for the first time, the Tenderloin will have its own Youth Violence Prevention Program. This program will provide:
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A Safe Refuge Space: fostering a safe, supportive environment for youth to gather after school.
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Empathy and Perspective-Building Programs: featuring community leaders, survivors, and members of the justice system to promote reflection and accountability.
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Individualized Support Services: connecting youth to education, job readiness, mental health resources, and workforce pathways.
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Youth-Led Design: ensuring programming reflects the lived experiences and aspirations of Tenderloin youth.
This program is about giving our young people a real chance at life — a chance to grow up, to dream, and to thrive in safety because every young person in the Tenderloin deserves that. Thank you to United Playaz, TLCBD, and DCYF for your partnership and commitment to this important initiative.
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Geo Group Hearing
The site of 111 Taylor is a historic site of the Trans resistance movement. Now, it is a halfway house that many members of the community have raised concerns about.
For months, we've heard reports expressing deep concerns about health, safety and civil rights. So we launched a hearing to call the operator - Geo Group - before the Board of Supervisors.
During the hearing, we heard from the community on their experiences living in the facility, ranging from recounts of feeling unsafe to lacking adequate medical access and experiencing abuse.
We heard from the family of a deceased former resident who, before his death, said to his family, "I would rather go back to jail than stay here." We uncovered reports of notices of violation issued by the Fire Department and Department of Building Inspection documenting rodents and cockroaches. We found PREA reports documenting multiple instances of reported claims of staff on inmate sexual abuse in the last year. And the Public Defender's Office reported instances of overcrowding - up to 14 individuals at one time in the same room.
In San Francisco, we believe in justice – this was an important first step towards accountability and fairness.
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Bridging Compassion
After weeks of blight under the Webster and Geary bridge, the area is looking much cleaner. Thanks to quick communication from the community, my office helped coordinate multiple city teams to resolve the issue. Most importantly, the individual previously staying at the site accepted city services and accepted shelter services. A big thank you to the Department of Emergency Management, the Department of Public Works, and Northern Station for their quick coordination and compassionate dedication to those most in need.
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For Veterans’ Day, we honored Mr. Douglas Jenkins, a proud Veteran and a lifelong advocate whose service has strengthened not only our country but the very heart of the Fillmore and neighborhoods across the city for over forty years.
He's known for his gentle soul, warmth, and joy, and we're deeply grateful to have him in our community.
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I’m now accepting Spring 2026 interns for my District 5 Office! 💼
Work with me and my team to learn the inner workings of city government, serve our community, and help shape San Francisco’s future.
📅 January–May 2026
📍 City Hall, San Francisco
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BFRESH Grocery Pop-up Program
The recent federal government shutdown may be over, but its impact is still being felt: November CalFresh benefits have been disrupted, creating a challenging period of food insecurity for thousands. The Booker T. Washington Community Service Center's BFRESH Grocery Pop-up Program is working quickly to bridge this gap by distributing boxes filled with organic, sustainably grown produce direct from local farmers along with essential pantry items.
BFRESH Grocery Pop-up Program will run every Tuesday through December 9 at the Center (800 Presidio Ave.), even through the week of Thanksgiving. This program is for current San Francisco residents who are impacted by the CalFresh disruption.
Here’s what folks need to participate:
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Complete registration form (scan QR code)
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Only for those who are impacted by the CalFresh disruption
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Must bring proof of San Francisco residency (ex: Piece of mail with name/address)
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Must bring current photo ID Must bring CalFresh card with matching ID
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Safe Routes To SchoolThere are resources to support families in getting to school safely through Safe Routes To School (SRTS), a program created to help make walking and bicycling to school safer and more accessible for children, including those with disabilities, and to increase the number of children who choose to walk, bicycle, take public transit, or ride in parental carpools.
On a broader level, SRTS programs strive to enhance children’s health and well-being, and improve the daily life of all members of our community. For services, email: saferoutestoschool@sfmta.com
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Need help? Don’t hesitate to reach out at MahmoodStaff@sfgov.org. We’re here to serve!
Let’s work together to make District 5 a better place for all.
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