The COVID-19 quarantine was difficult for our youth. We did everything in our power to support our community during the first three months of shelter-in-place. We provided distance learning activities, laptop distribution, ongoing food pantries and additional mental health supports. That being said, we knew our participants missed their peers and usual routines.

When the Mayor's Office announced that summer camps could open again starting June 15th, we took the time to carefully consider whether we should open. After much deliberating and planning, we decided it was critical to support some of our most in-need youth in-person this summer.

We cultivate a community that uplifts our participants. Our summer program is a place where kids can be kids. They also have the unique opportunity to participate in a state of the art USF-distance learning literacy program, STEAM enrichment, visual art, dance, and socially distanced physical/recreation outlets.

We're taking every precaution and follow each of the orders and directives provided by the San Francisco Department of Public Health. Our staff is committed to making this summer safe and fun for all of our participants.

There comes a time when silence is betrayal. We support Black Lives Matter in its mission to eliminate state-sanctioned violence and anti-Black racism.

This week our Senior Program Lead, Nico Bremond, led the Arts Opportunities for All Cohort in an activity to use art as an outlet to stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. The Arts Cohort works with artistic youth expression with a social justice perspective.

​Previous Cohorts have composed music, written speeches, filmed journalistic interviews, designed instruments, and an array of other expressive art forms. The Arts Cohort aims to mobilize adolescent growth in communities while giving youth a choice in which way it grows.