San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed and Board of Supervisors President Norman Yee today announced the City will host a citywide Summer Resource Fair and a series of Pop-Up events for families to learn about summer programs for their children.

The San Francisco Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families (DCYF), the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department (RPD), and Livable City are hosting the Resource Fair and related events. The 2020 Resource Fair is produced in conjunction with San Francisco’s “Child and Youth Friendly City Initiative,” which Mayor Breed and President Yee launched on World Children’s Day in November 2019.

“Every young person should have access to fun and enriching programs during the summer and throughout the year,” said Mayor Breed. “Our summer programs give kids the chance to discover new hobbies, make friends, and stay active and engaged during the summer. These events are a great way for families to learn more about all the resources that are available for their children this summer, and I encourage all families in San Francisco to attend.”

“As part of the Child and Youth Friendly City Initiative, Summer Resource Fairs not only connect families to summer programs, but also bring an element of play, creativity, and community-building to neighborhoods across our diverse city,” said President Yee. “I hope that these pop-ups will spark everyone’s imagination on what is possible when we look at the world through the eyes of a child.”

The annual Citywide Summer Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, February 8^th at the County Fair Building from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Resource Fair will feature representatives from over 140 exhibitors, and is expected to attract between 1,500 and 2,000 attendees.

The Summer Resource Fair and pop-up events are free, fun and family-friendly events that connect parents and families to a variety of summer program opportunities for their children in science, art, technology, sports, music, the outdoors, and more. Program representatives will be available to provide useful information, demonstrations, play activities, and free giveaways. Many of the programs and services featured at the Summer Resource Fairs are free or low cost, and many of them will enroll participants on the spot. Interpretation services will be available on-site in Mandarin, Cantonese, and Spanish.

The City provides over 20,000 publicly funded summer program slots from a variety of providers. These programs include community-based summer programs funded by DCYF, summer programs and day camps provided by RPD, school-based summer programs, and programs provided by licensed childcare providers. The goal of all of the providers is to ensure that children and youth, particularly those from working and low-income families, have enriching, safe, and fun activities to participate in during the months that school is not in session.

“Children who are not enrolled in summer programming—particularly children from low-income families—may experience summer learning loss,” said Maria Su, DCYF Executive Director. “By fifth grade, summer learning loss can leave low-income students two-and-a-half to three years behind their peers academically. This is why summer programs, especially those that are free or publically funded, are so important. They keep children intellectually active during the summer, and provide safe, fun environments for them to play, learn, and grow.”

“Summer is all about finding opportunities for our children to get out and play,” said Phil Ginsburg, General Manager, Recreation and Parks Department. “Summer Resource Fairs provide access to summer programming for all San Francisco families, regardless of income or location. We’re proud to work with our partners in DCYF and Livable City to make sure that every child has access to enriching and inspiring camps and programs.”

The Summer Resource Fair series includes the following events:

• Saturday, February 8, 11am - 2pm: Citywide Summer Resource Fair at the County Fair Building, 1199 9th Avenue.
• Saturday, February 29, 11am - 3pm: OMI Lunar New Year Celebration and Pop-Up Resource Fair at Minnie & Lovie Ward Rec Center, 650 Capitol Avenue.
• Sunday, March 8, 11am - 4pm: Sunday Streets Mission Pop-Up Resource Fair, Valencia Street between 14th and 15th Streets.
• Friday, March 13, 5pm - 7pm: Friday Fun Fest and Pop-Up Resource Fair at Tenderloin Rec Center, 570 Ellis Street.
• Saturday, March 14, 1pm - 3pm: Membership Drive and Pop-Up Resource Fair at Stonestown YMCA, 333 Eucalyptus Drive.
• Sunday, March 29, 11am - 4pm: Sunday Streets Excelsior Pop-Up Resource Fair at the Persia Triangle, Ocean Avenue and Mission Street.
• Saturday, April 11, 11am - 2pm: Pop-Up Resource Fair at Bernal Heights Rec Center, 500 Moultrie Street.
• Sunday, April 19, 11am - 4pm: Sunday Streets Tenderloin Pop-Up Resource Fair, Location to be determined.
• Sunday, May 3, 11am - 4pm: Sunday Streets Bayview/Mission Bay, Location to be determined.

For more information about the Summer Resource Fair Series, visit DCYF’s website: www.dcyf.org.

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