Jamestown Work Receives Community Honors For Continued Excellence

It’s been a busy beginning to the school year for all of us at Jamestown. Between continuing in-person learning at our Beacon Center School sites and launching some exciting initiatives, we’ve been working hard to ensure we are meeting the needs of our Mission District youth and community. With so much going on, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate our programs staff being recognized by pivotal city leaders and institutions. 

Recently, on top of clinching the National League West Division (take that Dodgers!), the San Francisco Giants organization honored our Chavez Elementary Program Manager Diana Diaz, for the latest installment of their City Connect series, spotlighting young people making a difference in their communities. Diaz has been a key member of our Chavez team, who began as an art instructor and is now serving in a key leadership role. Her professional and personal growth is a shining example of how Jamestown invests in developing leadership from within.

Be sure to learn more about Diana’s journey on the Giants City Connect blog. You can also support her work directly by purchasing art from her website!

While Diaz and her family were lighting up the jumbotron at Oracle Park, our Loco Bloco artivists were being honored at the opening of the San Francisco Symphony’s 2021-2022 performance season. Loco Bloco was selected as this year’s recipient of the Ellen Magnin Newman Award, which celebrates outstanding community-based arts organizations who strengthen the Bay Area’s cultural fabric, serves vulnerable families and individuals, and creates a more just and equitable society for everyone who lives here.

Since our merger back in 2018, Jamestown has been proud to help carry on the legacy of Loco Bloco and support their work creating a space for Afro-Latino artistic traditions to continue thriving within our community. Be sure to join the Jamestown Loco Bloco familia as well as other local artivists for our annual ReclaMisión Dia de Muertos community celebration, November 2nd at our Buena Vista Horace Mann K-8 Beacon Center or November 7th at Hummingbird Farms in the Excelsior District. Come see why Loco Bloco has become such an honored cultural fixture within the San Francisco arts community!

Jamestown Continues To Meet Community Needs During Pandemic

Familia, we all know this past year has been challenging beyond measure. Our world and our communities have dealt with an incredible amount of hardship. Despite these setbacks, we have seen the Mission District rise up in the face of adversity and work together to meet our collective needs.  At Jamestown, we have been busy keeping our students engaged throughout the pandemic through virtual learning and other family support programs.

As we return to in-person learning at our Buena Vista Horace Mann K-8 (BVHM) and Longfellow program sites, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on all the powerful work our talented staff has been able to accomplish during this pandemic. Below are just a few examples of how Jamestown has been able to effectively address the needs of our community:

Community Hubs

• In person learning for our most vulnerable youth:  Community Learning Hubs alongside the San Francisco Department of Health have been highlighted in  the Wall Street Journal and KQED. Our Community Learning Hubs have provided our most vulnerable students with in-person learning opportunities, in a safe and healthy environment.

• Meaningful Collaborations: We have also fostered meaningful collaborations between our dedicated staff members on site and partnering agencies who allow us to continue providing high quality programming for our Mission District familia.

Family support+ relief funds

• Weekly food boxes: In addition to providing quality programming we have worked diligently to distribute 180 food boxes weekly to our Mission District families.

• Relief funds: Over 125 Jamestown families have received financial relief funds totaling $113,000. We saw the economic impact of the pandemic and are working continuously to ensure families receive the help they need. 

Celebrating + Honoring our Community (from afar)

• Black History Month- Our team at James Lick Middle School was able to rally and put together an incredible virtual Black History Month celebration in conjunction with Mayor London Breed’s office. 

Youth Social Justice + Cultural Pride- As part of Telemundo’s tribute to Afro-Latinxs in the Bay Area, our Office Manager and Samba star, Salma, was profiled for a feature about Jamestown’s focus on youth social justice and cultural pride! We also want to acknowledge Selma's Dance Instructor and Fogo na Roupa’s Artistic Director Metzi Henriquez who has helped in the development of many women of color in the Mission District.

These are just a few of the highlights from the past few months. As schools begin to slowly reopen and with summer programs on the horizon, we look forward to navigating the new reality in community with our Mission District students and families. We know the transition back to in-person learning will have its challenges and we are prepared for whatever lies ahead. We are still here, we are still fighting and we are still working to create a more equitable and compassionate world. Stay tuned for more updates, our work is far from over. Huge thank you to all our supporters in the community who allow us to continue our work.

Jamestown Programmatic Update Fall 2020

Jamestown Community Center is pleased to share our top priorities for the 2020-21 school year. With the implementation of online learning at all San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are focused on the well being and academic growth of our students during this challenging time. In the past few months we have been diligently working to serve our families and ensure all of their needs are met. These are just some of the initiatives we have been implementing:

Cesar Chavez Elementary students show off their art.

• Over the summer, we supported 126 families with income relief through the Cesar Chavez Go Fund Me campaign and the San Francisco Family Relief Fund.

• Through our affiliation with the Latino Task Force we have been supporting food distribution, sharing informational resources and COVID-19 test sites in the Mission and Excelsior districts as we face unprecedented crises related to the pandemic.

• We are collaborating with school sites to connect students to internet access and devices, while also providing school day support working with teachers, tutors, and students to continue to improve literacy and social-emotional development.

• With the cancellation of Fall soccer, the Sports team has been working diligently to provide quality programming based on the needs and interest of the families and coaching staff. The sports team will be piloting one OST (Out of School Time) pod of approximately 14 youth in the Mission District focusing on physical activity and individual soccer development. The pilot program will be observed closely and follow the safety guidelines set forth by the SF Dept. of Public Health. In addition, Metas Para Atletas - a virtual training program that consist of weekly challenges that allow youth to learn new exercises, stay active and build soccer skills in the comfort of their homes will relaunch next month.

• Starting September 14th we will be hosting a Community Education Hub in collaboration with 826 Valencia and DCYF to serve 12 of our most vulnerable students, so they can maintain a healthy level of learning.

• Strengthening Families Program (SFP) begins this fall. This is a 14-week program where youth and their guardians will learn about communication, listening, respect, setting expectations, and personal responsibility as tools to build healthier family dynamics. All SFP facilitators attend Trauma-Informed Systems trainings funded and led by the San Francisco Department of Public Health.

• Loco Bloco will begin to deliver quality virtual Afro-Latino dance and drumming and stilt walking instruction to encourage our primarily Latinx students, to discover the connections, history, and politics behind the art they practice and strengthen their sense of identity and cultural pride. In addition, a team of Loco Bloco artists are currently working with the Zoo Labs artist accelerator program to craft a musical project and accompanying visuals to engage and celebrate the historic LB community in a new and profound way.

Please consider giving to Jamestown and help us continue our important work. We thank you for your continued love and support.

My Jamestown Journey

My name is Teya Hernandez, I am a 16-year old High School student at Immaculate Conception Academy and will be a Junior this upcoming school year. As a longtime participant in Jamestown programming, I wanted to share my experience on how it has helped shape me into the person I am today.

My journey at Jamestown began before I was even able to enroll in their after school program at Buena Vista Horace Mann K-8. My older sister was in Jamestown, so I occasionally went to the family events and showcases the organization hosted. As I transitioned into 6th grade, I was excited because I knew I was going to be part of the same fun activities my sister enjoyed during her middle school days. 

At Jamestown, it was really comforting to know I had a place to go and be productive, once school was done. The staff always set homework goals for us and created a safe space for us to hang out and be ourselves. Jamestown after school wasn’t only a fun, safe, and organized place for me to do my homework but really more like a second home. The program staff there helped me tap into my potential as a student.

During my time in Jamestown, I was also able to unlock my athletic potential through Girls Got Goals. My Coach Memo taught me not only everything I know about soccer but valuable lessons like: “You’re a student-athlete, but student comes first,” and “We may not be the best team but we are the hardest working team.”

I believe we were able to successfully secure two championships back to back because of the teamwork and trust we built over time. Looking back at my clumsy 6th-grade self to where I am now, I can definitely say I’ve improved a lot throughout middle school and have continued that momentum into high school. 

Another great activity I was able to participate in was “Tree House.”  There I was able to bond and become closer with my friends through different mental and emotional health exercises such as mindful breathing and meditation. 

Even when school was not in session, I always had Summer Voyage with Jamestown to look forward to. From everyday field trips to the big camping trip, and to the end of summer barbeque. Some of my best memories were made during my time in Summer Voyage. 

After three years with Jamestown, my middle school graduation arrived and I thought my journey in Jamestown was coming to an end. Luckily, during my freshman year of high school, I was able to participate in the Youth In Charge (YIC) teen program. Here, I was able to learn more about a community issue I was passionate about, alcohol justice, and addiction. 

Through YIC, I was able to encounter a wealth of experiences, including a meeting with the mayor, visiting the dome at city hall, meeting community leaders, going to a Giants game to talk with their alcohol and beverage vendors about their policies and safety measures to protect fans and prevent alcohol-related injuries, all while building relationships with other cool youth. In addition to these amazing enrichment experiences, I was also able to join an alcohol awareness coalition funded by the San Francisco Department of Public Health, to further advocate against youth alcoholism and create social media campaigns around this subject matter.

Currently, I am working this summer for the Jamestown Development and Marketing Department, helping to create content for their digital platforms. I have come a long way and will forever feel like a Jamestown kid. Special shout out to all the staff that has helped and watched me grow over the years, you know who you are. 

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!

Support Mission Immigrant Youth and Families In Crisis

Many residents of San Francisco know Cesar Chavez Elementary School for the beautiful murals depicting its' namesake, activist Cesar Chavez, along with other multicultural themes representing the entire community, such as the ASL alphabet mural on the Shotwell Street side of the building to represent Deaf and Hard of Hearing students and families. Chavez is an integral party of our Latinx Cultural District community.

It has become the center of food distribution, COVID-19 testing and community outreach during this crisis.  Many families from the Chavez  community have also gone out of their way to volunteer in these efforts, serving 478 families from all over the Bay Area, many of whom reside in the Mission District neighborhood.

Due to the Shelter-In-Place order across our city and state, the families of Cesar Chavez Elementary have been through severe economic strain. Not only that, but 90% of the people who have tested positive for COVID-19 were those who needed to leave their home to work. 95% of these individuals identified as being of Latinx heritage.

The Jamestown Community Center is hosting this fundraiser for the Chavez families in need of financial support at this time. The money we fundraise will go directly to those who have been impacted and have the highest need, primarily undocumented, unemployed, or homeless families.

In particular this fund will support our families who do not have access to unemployment benefits and will not receive a stimulus check to help them through this pandemic. Multiple families will be supported through $500 Visa Gift Cards that can be used towards paying for essential items such as groceries and toiletries. 

The Mission District is the heart of San Francisco. It’s where we gather for big wins, nights out, great food, and cultural events like Dia de los Muertos and Carnaval. The Mission is beautiful and vibrant because of the richness of art and culture that come from the unique Latinx heritage and cultures of its' residents. 

The families of Cesar Chavez play a big part in making this neighborhood run and contribute to its' vitality. The Mission District gives us so much.  We need to show our support, love and appreciation for the families that make The Mission like no other place in San Francisco.

Visit the GoFundMe Page and Give Today

Girls Got Goals Kicks Back Into Action

It’s that time of year again, Girls Got Goals is back in action!

Now in its 16th season, our Girls Got Goals league continues to provide an outlet for middle school girls to learn a new sport in a safe and supportive environment. This year, five teams will compete in league play for a chance at the coveted title. 

Last year’s champion, Everett Middle School, saw a huge surge in interest after taking home the big trophy, so much so, that this year they are fielding two teams to keep up with the demand! Girls Got Goals has a rich history as a nurturing safe space for young women to build community and develop as athletes and human beings. With 127 players enrolled, including expansion into the high school and elementary age groups, this year is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet!

Grateful for our amazing GGG Coaching staff!

Outside of the weekly games and practices, Jamestown Sports Director Ariel Esqueda, will host personal development workshops focusing on the specific needs of each team. Past workshops have included college prep courses, healthy living seminars and restorative justice classes rooted in developing positive cultural identity for Black and Latinx youth. 

The workshops build off the program’s youth development framework and are tailored to address the direct needs of the participants. Jamestown understands that not every youth receives the same type of intentional and focused instruction in their everyday academic lives. By creating and cultivating programs like Girls Got Goals, we are able to engage students in a more intimate space, allowing us to build interpersonal relationships that strengthen our families and communities. 

Loco Bloco Presents - Back Of The Bus: A 14-Mission Love Story

Loco Bloco is looking forward to a wonderful ride this year after taking home the First Place Overall prize in 2018’s Carnaval San Francisco -- Loco Bloco and The Jamestown Community Center are proud to announce our 2019 theme, BACK OF THE BUS: A 14-Mission Love Story.

We’re taking a trip down memory lane, back to the early Mission days and that one ride we always could depend on: the 14-Mission bus. Back to the days of bumping beats on a ghetto blaster and throwing a freestyle way in the back, we'll bring together the years of memories through hip hop, drumming and familiar recorded samples that are sure to evoke a sense of nostalgia.

This theme, selected by our Youth Artivists, celebrates the youth, families and laborers whose method of migration through the City is the 14-Mission bus. We honor their perseverance to maintain a tight grip and keep their feet firmly balanced as they roll through a city rapidly changing around them. The back of the bus has formed communities, birthed movements and inspired music and art. It has become a symbol for resistance and solidarity.

As an organization, we are excited to bring this time capsule to life with our amazing community of families and students from our after school program. Every year our contingent team of families, artivists and community members come together to create new memories as we celebrate past ones made in the Back Of The Bus. Please join us!

*Rehearsals for our Main Bateria & Dance sections begin Monday Jan 7, 5pm-6:15pm at Brava Theater - For Ages 11-24
*Registration for our Full Contingent (ages 3-24 & families) begins Sat., March 23 at our Orientation & Resource Fair at James Lick Middle School

Please spread the word & join us in getting down in the streets of La Misión. Join the contingent and come to our rehearsals!
Artwork by the Mission’s own @chrystianguillermo 

Executive Director Myrna Melgar Receives Local Government Award

In what has been a milestone year for The Jamestown Community Center, the accolades and recognition from the community continue with AISAF selecting our Executive Director Myrna Melgar, as the recipient of a Local Government Award for 2018.

Aside from her work at Jamestown, Myrna is Vice President of the San Francisco City Planning Commission. She also served three terms in the City's Building Inspection Commission, including one as Vice President, and served the Mayor’s Office of Housing Director of Homeownership Programs during the Newsom administration.

Throughout her career, Myrna has been a champion for Latinos and low income residents, designing and managing homeownership and building rehabilitation programs for low and moderate income San Franciscans. At Jamestown she continues to be an advocate by backing programs that help strengthen the Mission District families, youth and community.

“It is an honor to be recognized by an organization like AIASF,” said Melgar. “I hope to continue advancing the work of Jamestown and uplifting other members of the community, especially women, Latinos and low income folks to seek leadership opportunities and become more civically engaged.”

AIA San Francisco Community Alliance Awards honors the individuals, firms, and organizations whose work shape the character and quality of life in the Bay Area through design excellence. The Local Government Award recognizes an elected or appointed organization or individual, who contributes to the development of laws, policies, or initiatives promoting excellence in architecture.

“This year’s honorees represent the diversity of focus and commitment that makes our city a model for community-driven impact,” said AIASF Executive Director Jennifer Jones, CAE, IOM. Melgar joins two other recipients for this award, Sarah Minick of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and John Dennis of San Francisco Public Works.