As our first ever Youth Voice intern cohort wraps up their internship with TLCBD, we’re highlighting our interns after a summer of incredible work. Next up – Aseel Fara!
What is your relationship to the Tenderloin?
My family emigrated from Yemen to the Tenderloin when I was two years old. I went to Tenderloin Elementary School, and grew up going to Tenderloin after-school programs. Over the years, I’ve worked with Parks & Recreation here, as well as at a number of local corner stores.
What’s something you love about the neighborhood?
The people I grew up with. We all took different routes over time, but whenever we see each other, there’s always a kind of brotherly love, and that sense of community never goes away.
What’s something you would like to improve for the neighborhood?
In ways, the Tenderloin really feels like a containment zone. I would really like to resolve the open air drug market here, and for our local leadership to really be held accountable in terms of the work they’re doing to improve these issues.
What was your experience like interning at TLCBD?
I was honestly surprised by how I’ve been treated here, I feel important. In the past, I’ve worked with a lot of people who don’t necessarily have good intentions behind what they do. At TLCBD, though, there are a lot of genuine people who want to help me grow as a person. It’s full of good people who want to do good things.
This fall, Aseel will begin his senior year at San Francisco State University, where he is pursuing a major in political science. He will also continue working on Urgent Care for Yemen, a charity organization he founded, to drive aid for humanitarian crises in Yemen.
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