YOUTH VOICE
The Tenderloin Youth Voice Program serves as a convener for centering young people in our neighborhood for positive change through collective impact.
YOUTH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION
Our internship program aims to amplify youth voices and foster active civic participation, instilling leadership and responsibility among young individuals.
We recognize Tenderloin Youth as vital partners in decision-making and community change agents. We provide them with the necessary tools, platforms, and support to drive social, political, and community-based change.
APPLYING TO THE INTERNSHIP
Our internship program is scheduled for 12-weeks, is part-time 20-hours per week, pays $20.25 per hour, and has 2-pathways.
In the Policy & Voice pathway, interns complete a mini campaign about topics of concern in the neighborhood. Contact [email protected]
In the job Readiness pathway, interns get hands-on experience with park stewardship and street safety. Contact [email protected]
All interns will receive workshops to build professional skills, co-lead athletic events for youth, and have a celebration when the internship ends.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
Mental Health is essential; our neighbors deserve pathways and opportunities to thrive. Homelessness, neglect, malnutrition, and violence have long been known to cause toxic stress levels in childhood that harm developing brains and bodies. We have resources for children, youth, and their families to support mental health.
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YOUTH VOICE HISTORY AT THE TENDERLOIN COMMUNITY BENEFIT DISTRICT
The Tenderloin Community Benefit District will always serve as the youth-centered Community Convener, unifying multi sector partners and community stakeholders to realize goals. The program has 3 elements: Convening, Capacity Building, Connecting.
YOUTH ACCESS NETWORK
We also convene the Youth Access Network. This network helps to ensure that children, teens, and TAY get access to community space for the things they want. We add capacity. We provide administrative and planning support so our community can have signature programs and opportunities. Our current signature programs include: quarterly Family Festivals, a free drop-in soccer program, a mother/daughter physical activity program, and an annual 3on3 basketball tournament.
TENDERLOIN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
TLCBD co-leads the Tenderloin After School Program Collaborative, a convening of the out-of-school time programs, several childcare centers, and local schools serving the Tenderloin.
CONNECTING YOUTH TO CITY DEPARTMENTS
We also connect youth and their adult allies with opportunities to speak to decision-makers so youth, teens, and TAY can impact their own neighborhood. We host focus groups, and stay connected with City Departments, SFPD, and DCYF to ensure they always have an opportunity to hear the voices of the youth.
PROGRAM MODEL
The Youth Voice program is modeled on evidence-based programs that have delivered positive outcomes for youth in other San Francisco neighborhoods. For example, Mobilization for Adolescent Growth in our Communities (MAGIC) was founded in 2004 in the Bayview neighborhood by the SF Public Defender’s Office to address communities plagued by poverty and violence. In 2006, a similar program called Mo’MAGIC was created in the Fillmore neighborhood.
GRANT FUNDING
The initial work is made possible by the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant from the US Department of Justice, through the Children’s Initiative.
The Children’s Initiative called for proposals of programs and strategies to break the cycle of crime in the Tenderloin district with particular attention to keeping youth from becoming involved in gangs and crime. Additionally, the call for proposals sought strategies to improve and enhance the interface between youth in the community and non-profit organizations (NGO’s) serving the Tenderloin.
DONATE
We are always looking for additional funding to provide support for advocacy and leadership programs as well as for the Tenderloin Sports League.