San Francisco, CA - Mayor London N. Breed joined youth and community partners for the first official first day of the Summer Together initiative’s programming. The coalition of San Francisco community based organizations, non-profits, businesses, the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) and City departments are partnering to provide free in-person and virtual opportunities for 26,000 public school students, and employing over 4,000 educators, youth development professionals, and support staff. Programming will operate at sites across the City, including the Summer High School Hub hosted at Stripe headquarters in SoMa, which Mayor Breed visited today.

“Today’s launch is a celebration of how our City has come together to support our children and young people and make sure they have the resources and tools to succeed within and beyond the classroom,” said Mayor Breed. “The last year has been so hard on our young people, and we know we have a lot of work to do to support them. As we prepare to reopen our public schools for in-person learning this fall, we must continue to provide these opportunities for youth to not just pass their classes, but also expand their horizons, pursue their goals, and shape their own futures, regardless of their background.”

Summer Together is focused on providing programming that supports the physical health, emotional well-being, and educational achievements of local children and youth, especially those in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Summer Together’s many City department, non-profit and community-based organization partners are providing activities around career exploration, leadership development, community engagement, and other programs to combat learning loss and support families. The initiative is also partnering with SFUSD to host in-person support for public school students that are enrolled in high school summer credit recovery and early college initiative programs.

The initiative is led by the Department of Children, Youth and their Families (DCYF) in partnership with the San Francisco Recreational and Park Department (RPD). TogetherSF, a community organization, is providing administrative and operational support. Summer Together programming is funded through a public-private partnership between the City and philanthropic support, including non-monetary support such as food or physical space. Support has come from Stripe, Instacart, Google, UNIQLO, LinkedIn, Facebook, and other businesses and organizations.

“We are excited about all the options our students have to continue their learning this summer. As a result of our collaboration with the City and many community agencies, students are earning college credit, engaging in paid work-based internships, diving into literacy, and so much more,” SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews said. “The ways we have come together to support students this summer is a reminder of what is possible when we work together.” 

“After a difficult year of social isolation and remote learning challenges, this will be the most exciting summer ever for our City’s children, youth and families,” said Maria Su, Executive Director of DCYF. “Our Community Hubs taught us how critical daily in-person supports with caring adults and social engagement with peers are for our youth. These summer programs will provide an essential bridge to next school year and allow San Francisco’s children to reconnect with one another through learning, recreation, exploration, and fun.”

“The pandemic year has made many of us feel like we’ve been living in limbo, but it’s been especially tough and lonely for kids,” said San Francisco Recreation and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “It has been a joyous experience to see them at summer camp, enjoying the outdoors together, pursuing their passions, and sharpening their skills.”

Summer Together offers the following free learning opportunities:

• Academic In-Person Learning. Hosted at public school buildings, community centers, RPD centers, and private commercial spaces. Programming is operated either by DCYF’s community based organization partners or SFUSD’s summer education staff.
• In-Person Summer Camps. Free slots are provided for students to attend summer camp with RPD, DCYF-funded community based organizations, and private camps.
• Virtual Learning Opportunities. Online programming from public and private organizations.
• Independent Learning. All SFUSD students are eligible for up to 10 summer reading books, distributed by the San Francisco Public Library.

The Summer High School Hub program hosted at Stripe headquarters is providing in-person support for over 150 SFUSD high school students enrolled in summer credit recovery and early college initiative programs, as well as additional enrichment activities beyond traditional educational programming. The site is operated by Peer Resources, Pin@y Educational Partnerships, Young Community Developers, and the Youth Leadership Institute in partnership with SFUSD.

"Grateful doesn't begin to express how much YCD's Summer Youth Academic and Employment Program (SYAEP) appreciates being included in DCYF's Summer Together High School Hub as a longtime collaborative partner!” shared Eileen Young from Young Community Developers. “This amazing experience has opened the eyes, hearts and minds of our young people to be more, want more and achieve more!"

“The Summer Together High School Hub program is important to youth right now because it is the bridge to the return to in-person activities,” said Patricia Barahona, Youth Leadership Institute. “It's the bridge to learning, healing, and community building that many young people need right now.”

“The Summer Together Program is important to young people because it gives them a learning community that is centered on their experiences and an adult staff that is committed to their growth, said Dr. Rod Daus-Magabual from Pin@y Educational Partnerships. “It allows them to re-emerge from the obstacles of the pandemic to support their learning, cultivate community, and hopefully a transition to the upcoming school year. We hope to establish relationships with students beyond the program to advocate what they will need with in person learning for the fall.” 

There was an early registration period for Summer Together programs that prioritized families with the highest needs, including residents of public housing, families experiencing homelessness, children and youth in the foster care system, low-income families, and children and youth with disabilities. Open enrollment for all eligible youth opened on May 8, and all
26,000 available slots have been filled.

Businesses and organizations that are interested in supporting Summer Together can contribute both monetary and non-monetary support, like food or physical space for learning programs via the Give2SF COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.

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