Meaghan Mitchell

Jesse Rogala

In Here/Say&#8217;s series &#8220;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwlABZGLfKg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">When the Lights Come Up in the City</a>,&#8221; we tour three neighborhoods in partnership with <a href="https://brokeassstuart.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Broke-Ass Stuart</a> to learn how businesses and community leaders pivoted to success during the pandemic. First up: the Bayview.&nbsp;

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In Here/Say's series "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwlABZGLfKg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">When the Lights Come Up in the City</a>," we tour three neighborhoods in partnership with <a href="https://brokeassstuart.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Broke-Ass Stuart</a> to learn how businesses and community leaders pivoted to success during the pandemic. First up: the Bayview.&nbsp;

In Here/Say&#8217;s series &#8220;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwlABZGLfKg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">When the Lights Come Up in the City</a>,&#8221; we tour three neighborhoods in partnership with <a href="https://brokeassstuart.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Broke-Ass Stuart</a> to learn how businesses and community leaders pivoted to success during the pandemic. First up: the Bayview.&nbsp;

Forged in the shadow of the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, the Bayview is a community known for its grit and self-reliance. It&#8217;s a tight-knit, historically Black community and the center of many critical businesses—from industrial operations and breweries to innovative food and culture hubs—that proudly emblazon themselves with street art and serve the community and city as a whole.

Forged in the shadow of the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, the Bayview is a community known for its grit and self-reliance. It's a tight-knit, historically Black community and the center of many critical businesses—from industrial operations and breweries to innovative food and culture hubs—that proudly emblazon themselves with street art and serve the community and city as a whole.

Forged in the shadow of the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, the Bayview is a community known for its grit and self-reliance. It&#8217;s a tight-knit, historically Black community and the center of many critical businesses—from industrial operations and breweries to innovative food and culture hubs—that proudly emblazon themselves with street art and serve the community and city as a whole.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-design-6-edited.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7616"/><figcaption>A shot of Third Street in the Bayview District. | Photo&nbsp;by Here/Say Media</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-design-6-edited.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7616"/><figcaption>A shot of Third Street in the Bayview District. | Photo&nbsp;by Here/Say Media</figcaption></figure>

As the pandemic forced San Francisco businesses to close and residents to scramble to adjust to living in lockdown, the Bayview did what it does best: it quickly pivoted and found ways to keep the lights on using whatever resources were at hand. These are the stories of the people and places who stayed Bayview strong during one of the most challenging years in recent history.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As the pandemic forced San Francisco businesses to close and residents to scramble to adjust to living in lockdown, the Bayview did what it does best: it quickly pivoted and found ways to keep the lights on using whatever resources were at hand. These are the stories of the people and places who stayed Bayview strong during one of the most challenging years in recent history.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.publicglass.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Public Glass</a> | From Glass Blowing to Glass Breaking

<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-glass-from-glass-blowing-to-glass-breaking"><a href="https://www.publicglass.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Public Glass</a> | From Glass Blowing to Glass Breaking</h3>

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<h3 id="h-public-glass-from-glass-blowing-to-glass-breaking"><a href="https://www.publicglass.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Public Glass</a> | From Glass Blowing to Glass Breaking</h3>

Art is a crucial part of Bayview culture. That’s why influential makers and creators like Nate Watson of <a href="https://www.publicglass.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Public Glass</a> call the neighborhood home. Since 1997, Public Glass has been the only public access, non-profit glassblowing studio in San Francisco. Located at 1750 Armstrong Avenue, the art facility houses all the resources needed to support local artists who seek a career in glassmaking, including on-site training and professional development for youth and adults. They also provide affordable studio space and host events like their signature &#8220;<a href="https://www.publicglass.org/hgcb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hot Glass, Cold Beer</a>,&#8221; which invites the public to watch artists blow glass live.&nbsp;

Art is a crucial part of Bayview culture. That’s why influential makers and creators like Nate Watson of <a href="https://www.publicglass.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Public Glass</a> call the neighborhood home. Since 1997, Public Glass has been the only public access, non-profit glassblowing studio in San Francisco. Located at 1750 Armstrong Avenue, the art facility houses all the resources needed to support local artists who seek a career in glassmaking, including on-site training and professional development for youth and adults. They also provide affordable studio space and host events like their signature "<a href="https://www.publicglass.org/hgcb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hot Glass, Cold Beer</a>," which invites the public to watch artists blow glass live.&nbsp;

Art is a crucial part of Bayview culture. That’s why influential makers and creators like Nate Watson of <a href="https://www.publicglass.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Public Glass</a> call the neighborhood home. Since 1997, Public Glass has been the only public access, non-profit glassblowing studio in San Francisco. Located at 1750 Armstrong Avenue, the art facility houses all the resources needed to support local artists who seek a career in glassmaking, including on-site training and professional development for youth and adults. They also provide affordable studio space and host events like their signature &#8220;<a href="https://www.publicglass.org/hgcb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hot Glass, Cold Beer</a>,&#8221; which invites the public to watch artists blow glass live.&nbsp;

<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/rwcOvbdAyt8XYRl8c4zXVA493gcEzf9Zg5U0sC5z7CaGM_q-blzv0rcbLkMzjIAGuQp2cTnhHBgA5dINzmOoCkCw_48JJgg13heGE5TEsNR1SiAEMqzj0CYIKG1BpxkJSgDXLPFD" alt=""/><figcaption>Nate Watson explains Public Glass to Stuart Schuffman and Meaghan Mitchell. | Photo&nbsp;by Here/Say Media</figcaption></figure>

Eighty percent of the money Public Glass raises from programming goes toward funding materials needed for glass blowing, resources for local artists and salaries for staff. When the pandemic hit and events halted, the organization took a financial hit, so Watson pivoted and turned to the community for support.&nbsp;

Eighty percent of the money Public Glass raises from programming goes toward funding materials needed for glass blowing, resources for local artists and salaries for staff. When the pandemic hit and events halted, the organization took a financial hit, so Watson pivoted and turned to the community for support.&nbsp;

&#8220;We reached out to folks and let them know that we were in real trouble. At the time, all I could think was if Public Glass goes away, then the support for local artists goes away,” Watson told Here/Say. “And if we don&#8217;t have organizations that support artists, then artists leave the community, and I don&#8217;t think that people understand what the absence of creative people working in a community actually means.&#8221;&nbsp;

"We reached out to folks and let them know that we were in real trouble. At the time, all I could think was if Public Glass goes away, then the support for local artists goes away,” Watson told Here/Say. “And if we don't have organizations that support artists, then artists leave the community, and I don't think that people understand what the absence of creative people working in a community actually means."&nbsp;

&#8220;We reached out to folks and let them know that we were in real trouble. At the time, all I could think was if Public Glass goes away, then the support for local artists goes away,” Watson told Here/Say. “And if we don&#8217;t have organizations that support artists, then artists leave the community, and I don&#8217;t think that people understand what the absence of creative people working in a community actually means.&#8221;&nbsp;

<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/n_SCCZzhhiNz1fd4qx4f1zxBWu-_d8ya36eUKSwO7i7-jWFepncRac95wMiopYaZRXXanOOpoZabgKgeLCxWzWMElOcExOcdenrgzpogjjiB7HOc37rh5Ou6s8Gl0aJaNDZ7cNZx" alt=""/><figcaption>A shot of the Bayview Gateway. | Photo&nbsp;by Here/Say Media</figcaption></figure>

Watson&#8217;s outreach helped him not only to revive Public Glass, but also to connect with a new community development called the <a href="https://www.bayviewhillsf.org/bayviewgateway" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bayview Gateway Project</a>. Spearheaded by the <a href="https://www.bayviewhillsf.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bayview Hill Neighborhood Association</a>, the project installed seven 10-foot concrete letters that spell out &#8220;Bayview&#8221; on Third Street, near Meade Avenue. The letters will feature a mosaic of ceramic material sourced from the neighborhood’s residents and are designed to be visible from the Bayshore freeway. Public Glass stepped in and is now leading a team of artists and community members to gather and place pieces for the mosaic.

Watson's outreach helped him not only to revive Public Glass, but also to connect with a new community development called the <a href="https://www.bayviewhillsf.org/bayviewgateway" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bayview Gateway Project</a>. Spearheaded by the <a href="https://www.bayviewhillsf.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bayview Hill Neighborhood Association</a>, the project installed seven 10-foot concrete letters that spell out "Bayview" on Third Street, near Meade Avenue. The letters will feature a mosaic of ceramic material sourced from the neighborhood’s residents and are designed to be visible from the Bayshore freeway. Public Glass stepped in and is now leading a team of artists and community members to gather and place pieces for the mosaic.

Watson&#8217;s outreach helped him not only to revive Public Glass, but also to connect with a new community development called the <a href="https://www.bayviewhillsf.org/bayviewgateway" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bayview Gateway Project</a>. Spearheaded by the <a href="https://www.bayviewhillsf.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bayview Hill Neighborhood Association</a>, the project installed seven 10-foot concrete letters that spell out &#8220;Bayview&#8221; on Third Street, near Meade Avenue. The letters will feature a mosaic of ceramic material sourced from the neighborhood’s residents and are designed to be visible from the Bayshore freeway. Public Glass stepped in and is now leading a team of artists and community members to gather and place pieces for the mosaic.

&#8220;It&#8217;s kind of like a time capsule,&#8221; said Watson. &#8220;We&#8217;re mining the material from the neighborhood and then putting it at the entrance to Bayview. It really lets people know what happened here.&#8221;

"It's kind of like a time capsule," said Watson. "We're mining the material from the neighborhood and then putting it at the entrance to Bayview. It really lets people know what happened here."

&#8220;It&#8217;s kind of like a time capsule,&#8221; said Watson. &#8220;We&#8217;re mining the material from the neighborhood and then putting it at the entrance to Bayview. It really lets people know what happened here.&#8221;

<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MTSafXVNu59FbYSBOs-GMzsdEBohszbshFCBczWvsVDcFrQIQ9DLRyY-UcyXAVl4V5ts5BCsf-1OH0OQq0sycs_zBmKa03eyDyeTove5VBjGolHqZK-bqYu0T7a6kvCJwN3eawtK" alt=""/><figcaption>Seniors from the George Davis Senior Center work on the mosaic for the Bayview Gateway Project. | Photo&nbsp;by Here/Say Media</figcaption></figure>

Bayview residents have donated materials that range from dishware to pottery and jewelry. Once Watson and his crew receive the material, they smash it into smaller pieces and transfer those to different community centers like the Bayview Senior Center and Kipp Middle School, where groups of volunteers lay out and place each piece on a tarp that will eventually be installed on the 10-foot letters.

Bayview residents have donated materials that range from dishware to pottery and jewelry. Once Watson and his crew receive the material, they smash it into smaller pieces and transfer those to different community centers like the Bayview Senior Center and Kipp Middle School, where groups of volunteers lay out and place each piece on a tarp that will eventually be installed on the 10-foot letters.

&#8220;It&#8217;s special because it shows who&#8217;s been here, who is here now, and how we have all come together,&#8221; Watson said.

"It's special because it shows who's been here, who is here now, and how we have all come together," Watson said.

&#8220;It&#8217;s special because it shows who&#8217;s been here, who is here now, and how we have all come together,&#8221; Watson said.

<a href="https://www.bayviewmakers.com/kitchen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bayview Makers Kitchen</a> | Where Budding Entrepreneurs Grow Their Businesses

<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bayview-makers-kitchen-where-budding-entrepreneurs-grow-their-businesses"><a href="https://www.bayviewmakers.com/kitchen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bayview Makers Kitchen</a> | Where Budding Entrepreneurs Grow Their Businesses</h3>

<h3 id="h-bayview-makers-kitchen-where-budding-entrepreneurs-grow-their-businesses"><a href="https://www.bayviewmakers.com/kitchen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bayview Makers Kitchen</a> | Where Budding Entrepreneurs Grow Their Businesses</h3>

Founded by the nonprofit organization <a href="https://www.edotbayview.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Economic Development on Third</a> (EDot), the <a href="https://www.bayviewmakers.com/kitchen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bayview Makers Kitchen</a> provides a commercial kitchen for creative chefs to expand their business and offer packaged goods. As the Executive Director of EDot, Earl Shaddix&#8217;s days are typically focused on developing a plan for attracting and retaining businesses along the Bayview&#8217;s Third Street commercial corridor. When the pandemic hit, Shaddix feared that the vibrant food scene emerging in the Bayview would fizzle out, so he took matters into his own hands and committed &#8220;nonprofit suicide.”

Founded by the nonprofit organization <a href="https://www.edotbayview.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Economic Development on Third</a> (EDot), the <a href="https://www.bayviewmakers.com/kitchen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bayview Makers Kitchen</a> provides a commercial kitchen for creative chefs to expand their business and offer packaged goods. As the Executive Director of EDot, Earl Shaddix's days are typically focused on developing a plan for attracting and retaining businesses along the Bayview's Third Street commercial corridor. When the pandemic hit, Shaddix feared that the vibrant food scene emerging in the Bayview would fizzle out, so he took matters into his own hands and committed "nonprofit suicide.”

Founded by the nonprofit organization <a href="https://www.edotbayview.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Economic Development on Third</a> (EDot), the <a href="https://www.bayviewmakers.com/kitchen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bayview Makers Kitchen</a> provides a commercial kitchen for creative chefs to expand their business and offer packaged goods. As the Executive Director of EDot, Earl Shaddix&#8217;s days are typically focused on developing a plan for attracting and retaining businesses along the Bayview&#8217;s Third Street commercial corridor. When the pandemic hit, Shaddix feared that the vibrant food scene emerging in the Bayview would fizzle out, so he took matters into his own hands and committed &#8220;nonprofit suicide.”

&#8220;We cashed out all our programming money and handed checks to businesses along the Third Street corridor to cover at least two months of expenses,&#8221; Shaddix said.

"We cashed out all our programming money and handed checks to businesses along the Third Street corridor to cover at least two months of expenses," Shaddix said.

&#8220;We cashed out all our programming money and handed checks to businesses along the Third Street corridor to cover at least two months of expenses,&#8221; Shaddix said.

<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SvAwqc5XaBPjgmR6PEBnensSLpRdQFaxQLG-IumrQTlvNqdVmIWbs68Z840BmZ3s8wLZrM93yQC3o_xArZYIil2_6sKwSvsbBy-yg32EMOLst5mVuhiS1mbusDwbAVbgQPcOlGjM" alt=""/><figcaption>Earl Shaddix of EDot in the Bayview Makers Kitchen. | Photo&nbsp;by Here/Say Media</figcaption></figure>

But as time passed and the sheltering in place continued, Shaddix realized that wasn&#8217;t enough. So he collaborated with the Mayor&#8217;s <a href="https://oewd.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Office of Economic and Workforce Development</a> (OEWD) and <a href="https://sfnewdeal.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SF New Deal</a> to sign up restaurants to participate in providing meals at a high volume to the essential workers at the Moscone Center&#8217;s COVID-19 Command Center and city-owned hotels that housed the homeless throughout the pandemic.&nbsp;

But as time passed and the sheltering in place continued, Shaddix realized that wasn't enough. So he collaborated with the Mayor's <a href="https://oewd.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Office of Economic and Workforce Development</a> (OEWD) and <a href="https://sfnewdeal.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SF New Deal</a> to sign up restaurants to participate in providing meals at a high volume to the essential workers at the Moscone Center's COVID-19 Command Center and city-owned hotels that housed the homeless throughout the pandemic.&nbsp;

But as time passed and the sheltering in place continued, Shaddix realized that wasn&#8217;t enough. So he collaborated with the Mayor&#8217;s <a href="https://oewd.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Office of Economic and Workforce Development</a> (OEWD) and <a href="https://sfnewdeal.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SF New Deal</a> to sign up restaurants to participate in providing meals at a high volume to the essential workers at the Moscone Center&#8217;s COVID-19 Command Center and city-owned hotels that housed the homeless throughout the pandemic.&nbsp;

&#8220;That was our lifeline,&#8221; said Shaddix. &#8220;We didn&#8217;t lose any businesses. If anything, we are now stronger.&#8221;&nbsp;

"That was our lifeline," said Shaddix. "We didn't lose any businesses. If anything, we are now stronger."&nbsp;

&#8220;That was our lifeline,&#8221; said Shaddix. &#8220;We didn&#8217;t lose any businesses. If anything, we are now stronger.&#8221;&nbsp;

<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/XandPUVzu_uT_gW6aMnDKoc92pdGjDJoWghcM5FjsuO6iuRYmudNpHL8OifufDBMMNVdqrHW035w9t9S4txC9qfbFM-eJwgtfH63GP8EfkzHbqGHRTIFpkyh86rKdJkOrPhw20TB" alt=""/><figcaption>Eleana Hsu of Shared Cultures explains her business at Bayview Makers Kitchen to Stuart Schuffman and Meaghan Mitchell. | Photo&nbsp;by Here/Say Media</figcaption></figure>

Now alongside EDot&#8217;s board members, Shaddix is helping five other small businesses and craft makers expand at Bayview Makers Kitchen. The businesses include <a href="https://nixta.square.site/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nixta</a>, a modern plant-based Salvadorian food company; <a href="https://bonjerk.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bonjerk</a>, an Asian jerky company using ingredients to create flavors inspired by East-Asian recipes;<a href="https://www.sourcellars.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Sweet and Sourcellar</a>, a pickling workshop; <a href="https://www.shared-cultures.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shared Cultures</a>, a small business specializing in using koji, an ancient fungus, to create modern fermented food products; and <a href="https://www.theveganhoodchefs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Vegan Hood Chefs</a>, who specialize in creating vegan soul food and American-style favorites. Each vendor has also committed to using the space to host and teach <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRmRDtYLIw1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">community classes</a> on making and producing goods at a high volume.&nbsp;

Now alongside EDot's board members, Shaddix is helping five other small businesses and craft makers expand at Bayview Makers Kitchen. The businesses include <a href="https://nixta.square.site/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nixta</a>, a modern plant-based Salvadorian food company; <a href="https://bonjerk.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bonjerk</a>, an Asian jerky company using ingredients to create flavors inspired by East-Asian recipes;<a href="https://www.sourcellars.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Sweet and Sourcellar</a>, a pickling workshop; <a href="https://www.shared-cultures.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shared Cultures</a>, a small business specializing in using koji, an ancient fungus, to create modern fermented food products; and <a href="https://www.theveganhoodchefs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Vegan Hood Chefs</a>, who specialize in creating vegan soul food and American-style favorites. Each vendor has also committed to using the space to host and teach <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRmRDtYLIw1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">community classes</a> on making and producing goods at a high volume.&nbsp;

Now alongside EDot&#8217;s board members, Shaddix is helping five other small businesses and craft makers expand at Bayview Makers Kitchen. The businesses include <a href="https://nixta.square.site/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nixta</a>, a modern plant-based Salvadorian food company; <a href="https://bonjerk.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bonjerk</a>, an Asian jerky company using ingredients to create flavors inspired by East-Asian recipes;<a href="https://www.sourcellars.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Sweet and Sourcellar</a>, a pickling workshop; <a href="https://www.shared-cultures.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shared Cultures</a>, a small business specializing in using koji, an ancient fungus, to create modern fermented food products; and <a href="https://www.theveganhoodchefs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Vegan Hood Chefs</a>, who specialize in creating vegan soul food and American-style favorites. Each vendor has also committed to using the space to host and teach <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRmRDtYLIw1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">community classes</a> on making and producing goods at a high volume.&nbsp;

&#8220;A new economy has emerged,&#8221; said Shaddix. &#8220;A lot of restaurants had to pivot and reinvent themselves, and what has emerged from all of this are homemade packaged goods, and there are several places in the Bayview that are part of it.&#8221;

"A new economy has emerged," said Shaddix. "A lot of restaurants had to pivot and reinvent themselves, and what has emerged from all of this are homemade packaged goods, and there are several places in the Bayview that are part of it."

&#8220;A new economy has emerged,&#8221; said Shaddix. &#8220;A lot of restaurants had to pivot and reinvent themselves, and what has emerged from all of this are homemade packaged goods, and there are several places in the Bayview that are part of it.&#8221;

<a href="https://www.oldskoolcafe.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Old Skool Cafe</a> | Come Hungry and Leave Inspired

<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-old-skool-cafe-come-hungry-and-leave-inspired"><a href="https://www.oldskoolcafe.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Old Skool Cafe</a> | Come Hungry and Leave Inspired</h3>

<h3 id="h-old-skool-cafe-come-hungry-and-leave-inspired"><a href="https://www.oldskoolcafe.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Old Skool Cafe</a> | Come Hungry and Leave Inspired</h3>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1452" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Interior-with-view-of-stage-2500x1452.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-6668"/><figcaption>Interior shot of Old Skool Cafe. | Photo courtesy of Old Skool Cafe</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Interior-with-view-of-stage-2500x1452.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-6668"/><figcaption>Interior shot of Old Skool Cafe. | Photo courtesy of Old Skool Cafe</figcaption></figure>

Built to look like a 1940s themed supper club, <a href="https://www.oldskoolcafe.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Old Skool Cafe</a> features vintage decorations, classic cocktails and an event space for live music. Since opening its doors in 2012, Old Skool Cafe also employs and trains at-risk youth so they can gain skills and experience in the restaurant industry. In addition to operating the cafe, young employees at Old Skool Cafe attend weekly one-on-one training sessions with a life coach.

Built to look like a 1940s themed supper club, <a href="https://www.oldskoolcafe.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Old Skool Cafe</a> features vintage decorations, classic cocktails and an event space for live music. Since opening its doors in 2012, Old Skool Cafe also employs and trains at-risk youth so they can gain skills and experience in the restaurant industry. In addition to operating the cafe, young employees at Old Skool Cafe attend weekly one-on-one training sessions with a life coach.

“The youth that we hire come to us from various life paths,&#8221; said Desiree Maldonado, the floor manager and a graduate of Old Skool Cafe. &#8220;Many of them have been involved in the juvenile justice or foster care system.&#8221;&nbsp;

“The youth that we hire come to us from various life paths," said Desiree Maldonado, the floor manager and a graduate of Old Skool Cafe. "Many of them have been involved in the juvenile justice or foster care system."&nbsp;

“The youth that we hire come to us from various life paths,&#8221; said Desiree Maldonado, the floor manager and a graduate of Old Skool Cafe. &#8220;Many of them have been involved in the juvenile justice or foster care system.&#8221;&nbsp;

The real magic at Old Skool Cafe happens in the kitchen.&nbsp;

The real magic at Old Skool Cafe happens in the kitchen.&nbsp;

&#8220;Our most popular dishes here are Daniel&#8217;s gumbo, shrimp and grits, the peanut butter stew and fried chicken,&#8221; said Maldonado. &#8220;The recipes are from some of our youth&#8217;s family members, and everything from the chefs to prep cooks and dishwashers and hosts is all managed&nbsp; by youth,&#8221; she added.

"Our most popular dishes here are Daniel's gumbo, shrimp and grits, the peanut butter stew and fried chicken," said Maldonado. "The recipes are from some of our youth's family members, and everything from the chefs to prep cooks and dishwashers and hosts is all managed&nbsp; by youth," she added.

&#8220;Our most popular dishes here are Daniel&#8217;s gumbo, shrimp and grits, the peanut butter stew and fried chicken,&#8221; said Maldonado. &#8220;The recipes are from some of our youth&#8217;s family members, and everything from the chefs to prep cooks and dishwashers and hosts is all managed&nbsp; by youth,&#8221; she added.

<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/C3BuCGYhsCDxjUEw_w-8kyPj5SELTxHCCnK-n2wJIn6KQOZ0M820pStAQkPYnbcqQBlA5ZpDsGBTsMR6apPOfPF78ZGpwDEuFs0Xpif_CKWbfFrbhrUEKAPVHTkJez-kxHPgjm7U" alt=""/><figcaption>Old Skool Cafe’s youth at work in the kitchen. | Photo courtesy of Old Skool Cafe</figcaption></figure>

The majority of Old Skool Cafe&#8217;s training requires youth to be on-site and in the kitchen, so pandemic shutdowns presented a significant challenge—one that made the future of Old Skool Cafe unclear.&nbsp;

The majority of Old Skool Cafe's training requires youth to be on-site and in the kitchen, so pandemic shutdowns presented a significant challenge—one that made the future of Old Skool Cafe unclear.&nbsp;

The majority of Old Skool Cafe&#8217;s training requires youth to be on-site and in the kitchen, so pandemic shutdowns presented a significant challenge—one that made the future of Old Skool Cafe unclear.&nbsp;

&#8220;We were in the middle of a training session at Michael Mina&#8217;s restaurant when I got the news that we were shutting down because COVID took over the Bay Area, and I freaked out,&#8221; said Maldonado. Old Skool closed for a week to figure out the best way to pivot. They reached out to their donors and community members for financial support to keep their doors open and so youth could keep their jobs.&nbsp;

"We were in the middle of a training session at Michael Mina's restaurant when I got the news that we were shutting down because COVID took over the Bay Area, and I freaked out," said Maldonado. Old Skool closed for a week to figure out the best way to pivot. They reached out to their donors and community members for financial support to keep their doors open and so youth could keep their jobs.&nbsp;

&#8220;We were in the middle of a training session at Michael Mina&#8217;s restaurant when I got the news that we were shutting down because COVID took over the Bay Area, and I freaked out,&#8221; said Maldonado. Old Skool closed for a week to figure out the best way to pivot. They reached out to their donors and community members for financial support to keep their doors open and so youth could keep their jobs.&nbsp;

Even with community-backed funding support, Old Skool still had to figure out a new way to train and support youth under the city&#8217;s shelter in place order, so they decided to shift to virtual paid training.&nbsp;

Even with community-backed funding support, Old Skool still had to figure out a new way to train and support youth under the city's shelter in place order, so they decided to shift to virtual paid training.&nbsp;

Even with community-backed funding support, Old Skool still had to figure out a new way to train and support youth under the city&#8217;s shelter in place order, so they decided to shift to virtual paid training.&nbsp;

&#8220;We required youth in virtual training to be present with their cameras on because even through all this, we are still focused on professional development, but some didn&#8217;t have wifi access or laptops,&#8221; said Maldonado. So Old Skool bought six laptops and created a digital library where youth could come and borrow them to access training. &#8220;We even let youth use the laptops for distance learning,&#8221; she added.

"We required youth in virtual training to be present with their cameras on because even through all this, we are still focused on professional development, but some didn't have wifi access or laptops," said Maldonado. So Old Skool bought six laptops and created a digital library where youth could come and borrow them to access training. "We even let youth use the laptops for distance learning," she added.

&#8220;We required youth in virtual training to be present with their cameras on because even through all this, we are still focused on professional development, but some didn&#8217;t have wifi access or laptops,&#8221; said Maldonado. So Old Skool bought six laptops and created a digital library where youth could come and borrow them to access training. &#8220;We even let youth use the laptops for distance learning,&#8221; she added.

<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/7DDLhDBU6Ts_sZ_0FKT2HrhBPZldm2ryI5c3ZCQ76iFe3Dk-FJQjF3aJ_GKUQhD1chZN26YLXPEnCxjGykoa07zfmVitX7mpylQu6muREi67IkNFRzKbXgXmGvPk7hU730evaWiy" alt=""/><figcaption>Old Skool Cafe’s youth performing live jazz at the cafe’s parklet. | Photo courtesy of Old Skool Cafe</figcaption></figure>

As the shelter in place order shifted, so did Old Skool Cafe, and what was first looked at as significant disruption became an opportunity for them to expand. &#8220;It was an opportunity to do something creative,&#8221; said Maldonado. &#8220;We&#8217;ve never had outdoor dining; now we do on Mendell Plaza. We&#8217;ve never [done] to-go orders; now you can get Old Skool on apps like DoorDash. These have all turned into fun and exciting ventures for us.&#8221;&nbsp;

As the shelter in place order shifted, so did Old Skool Cafe, and what was first looked at as significant disruption became an opportunity for them to expand. "It was an opportunity to do something creative," said Maldonado. "We've never had outdoor dining; now we do on Mendell Plaza. We've never [done] to-go orders; now you can get Old Skool on apps like DoorDash. These have all turned into fun and exciting ventures for us."&nbsp;

As the shelter in place order shifted, so did Old Skool Cafe, and what was first looked at as significant disruption became an opportunity for them to expand. &#8220;It was an opportunity to do something creative,&#8221; said Maldonado. &#8220;We&#8217;ve never had outdoor dining; now we do on Mendell Plaza. We&#8217;ve never [done] to-go orders; now you can get Old Skool on apps like DoorDash. These have all turned into fun and exciting ventures for us.&#8221;&nbsp;

When the Lights Come Up in the City: Bayview strong

Kevin Truong

Martha Garrido, a domestic worker in San Francisco who has worked in the industry for 15 years, has to navigate the intricacies of working with six individual employers on a regular basis.&nbsp;

Martha Garrido, a domestic worker in San Francisco who has worked in the industry for 15 years, has to navigate the intricacies of working with six individual employers on a regular basis.&nbsp;

That was before the pandemic led many of her clients to drop her services.&nbsp;

That was before the pandemic led many of her clients to drop her services.&nbsp;

In February, Garrido slipped while working and broke her hand, leaving her unable to work for six weeks. While she had some cash stashed away in case of emergency, Garrido’s employer failed to pay her for any sick days, as required by San Francisco law.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

In February, Garrido slipped while working and broke her hand, leaving her unable to work for six weeks. While she had some cash stashed away in case of emergency, Garrido’s employer failed to pay her for any sick days, as required by San Francisco law.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I pay my taxes every year and I hope to have a pension someday. However, I do not have sick leave benefits for illnesses or emergencies. I can take time off if I get sick, but I don&#8217;t get paid,” Garrido said through a Spanish translator at a Dec. 8 Board of Supervisors committee meeting. “My hand hurts from arthritis that was caused by repetitive work over the years, but when I can&#8217;t go to work, I don&#8217;t get sick pay.”

“I pay my taxes every year and I hope to have a pension someday. However, I do not have sick leave benefits for illnesses or emergencies. I can take time off if I get sick, but I don't get paid,” Garrido said through a Spanish translator at a Dec. 8 Board of Supervisors committee meeting. “My hand hurts from arthritis that was caused by repetitive work over the years, but when I can't go to work, I don't get sick pay.”

“I pay my taxes every year and I hope to have a pension someday. However, I do not have sick leave benefits for illnesses or emergencies. I can take time off if I get sick, but I don&#8217;t get paid,” Garrido said through a Spanish translator at a Dec. 8 Board of Supervisors committee meeting. “My hand hurts from arthritis that was caused by repetitive work over the years, but when I can&#8217;t go to work, I don&#8217;t get sick pay.”

To support workers like Garrido, San Francisco has <a href="https://sfgov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&amp;ID=10341213&amp;GUID=4066E0A4-922E-4341-8BA2-FBE9B1A365F8">approved a novel system</a> to guarantee paid sick leave for the roughly 10,000 domestic workers in the city, including home aides, nannies and house cleaners who often labor in less formal structures prone to exploitation.

To support workers like Garrido, San Francisco has <a href="https://sfgov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&amp;ID=10341213&amp;GUID=4066E0A4-922E-4341-8BA2-FBE9B1A365F8">approved a novel system</a> to guarantee paid sick leave for the roughly 10,000 domestic workers in the city, including home aides, nannies and house cleaners who often labor in less formal structures prone to exploitation.

The ordinance, introduced by District 9 Supervisor Hillary Ronen and drafted with the California Domestic Workers Coalition, is meant to help employers meet their legal mandate to provide at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours of work through a smartphone-based app. Employers who already abide by the paid sick leave law are exempt.&nbsp;

The ordinance, introduced by District 9 Supervisor Hillary Ronen and drafted with the California Domestic Workers Coalition, is meant to help employers meet their legal mandate to provide at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours of work through a smartphone-based app. Employers who already abide by the paid sick leave law are exempt.&nbsp;

By creating a system for employees to track their hours, the idea is to arm the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement with visibility into the labor patterns of domestic workers and the ability to track employers who don’t pay their fair share.

By creating a system for employees to track their hours, the idea is to arm the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement with visibility into the labor patterns of domestic workers and the ability to track employers who don’t pay their fair share.

“Although they have the right to paid sick leave, in reality very few domestic workers have the ability to access it,” Ronen said at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, where the measure was unanimously approved. “If this works it could be replicable in many other industries as well.”&nbsp;

“Although they have the right to paid sick leave, in reality very few domestic workers have the ability to access it,” Ronen said at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, where the measure was unanimously approved. “If this works it could be replicable in many other industries as well.”&nbsp;

The system is being designed as a “portable benefit,” meaning it is not connected to a specific employer.&nbsp;The app, slated to be released in late 2022 or early 2023 after a design and procurement process led by the Office of Economic &amp; Workforce Development, will track the accrual of the paid sick leave across multiple employers and pay out appropriate benefits.

The system is being designed as a “portable benefit,” meaning it is not connected to a specific employer.&nbsp;The app, slated to be released in late 2022 or early 2023 after a design and procurement process led by the Office of Economic &amp; Workforce Development, will track the accrual of the paid sick leave across multiple employers and pay out appropriate benefits.

Both the employee and employer will use the app, which will likely be developed and administered by a third party. A domestic worker would use the system to log their hours across multiple employers, while an employer will use the app to pay into sick leave benefits, with the transfer of funds facilitated by the technology.&nbsp;

Both the employee and employer will use the app, which will likely be developed and administered by a third party. A domestic worker would use the system to log their hours across multiple employers, while an employer will use the app to pay into sick leave benefits, with the transfer of funds facilitated by the technology.&nbsp;

Although the program is a single patch in the limited social safety net for domestic workers, proponents say it could be the first step in a larger sea change led by local governments like San Francisco to build an alternate and portable system of employment benefits.

Although the program is a single patch in the limited social safety net for domestic workers, proponents say it could be the first step in a larger sea change led by local governments like San Francisco to build an alternate and portable system of employment benefits.

“We hope this is just the tip of the iceberg as far as bringing benefits and the like to groups that have been historically left out,” said Santiago Lerma, an aide for Ronen.

“We hope this is just the tip of the iceberg as far as bringing benefits and the like to groups that have been historically left out,” said Santiago Lerma, an aide for Ronen.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cities Lead the Way </h2>

<h2>Cities Lead the Way </h2>

The term “portable benefits” was coined in a <a href="https://wtfeconomy.com/common-ground-for-independent-workers-83f3fbcf548f">2015 Medium post</a> signed by a long list of business and labor leaders, but the concept dates back to New Deal policies like Social Security.&nbsp;

The term “portable benefits” was coined in a <a href="https://wtfeconomy.com/common-ground-for-independent-workers-83f3fbcf548f">2015 Medium post</a> signed by a long list of business and labor leaders, but the concept dates back to New Deal policies like Social Security.&nbsp;

More recently, the idea has come into vogue with the growth of gig work. Around 10% of workers in the country rely on “non-standard” work arrangements ranging from temp agencies to rideshare transportation to domestic work.&nbsp;

More recently, the idea has come into vogue with the growth of gig work. Around 10% of workers in the country rely on “non-standard” work arrangements ranging from temp agencies to rideshare transportation to domestic work.&nbsp;

“The prototypical model of benefits – i.e. those offered by a company for their employees during their tenure – no longer suffice when workers are increasingly unmoored from the company structure,” according to <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/portable-benefits-in-action-a-roadmap-for-a-renewed-work-related-safety-net/">a December report</a> from the Aspen Institute, a nonpartisan think tank.

“The prototypical model of benefits – i.e. those offered by a company for their employees during their tenure – no longer suffice when workers are increasingly unmoored from the company structure,” according to <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/portable-benefits-in-action-a-roadmap-for-a-renewed-work-related-safety-net/">a December report</a> from the Aspen Institute, a nonpartisan think tank.

Isaac Jabola-Carolus, a researcher with the City University of New York who has studied domestic workers in San Francisco, found that the median age for domestic workers in the city is 50 and their median pre-tax income hovers around $19,000, less than other low income occupations like retail workers, waiters and janitors.&nbsp;

Isaac Jabola-Carolus, a researcher with the City University of New York who has studied domestic workers in San Francisco, found that the median age for domestic workers in the city is 50 and their median pre-tax income hovers around $19,000, less than other low income occupations like retail workers, waiters and janitors.&nbsp;

The workforce is around 90% women and nearly 75% were born in countries outside of the U.S. Jabola-Carolus research showed that only 28% have been able to access paid time off under San Francisco’s Paid Sick Leave Ordinance.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The workforce is around 90% women and nearly 75% were born in countries outside of the U.S. Jabola-Carolus research showed that only 28% have been able to access paid time off under San Francisco’s Paid Sick Leave Ordinance.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He said that an important future step for the local domestic work industry could be providing retirement savings plans through a portable benefits system.&nbsp;

He said that an important future step for the local domestic work industry could be providing retirement savings plans through a portable benefits system.&nbsp;

“About 90% of surveyed San Francisco domestic workers lack retirement savings, so such a program would have a profound impact,” Jabola-Carolus wrote in an email.&nbsp;

“About 90% of surveyed San Francisco domestic workers lack retirement savings, so such a program would have a profound impact,” Jabola-Carolus wrote in an email.&nbsp;

In a recent example of this type of expansion, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul <a href="https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/kathy-hochul/hochul-signs-legislation-ensuring-retirement-plan-for-private-sector-employees/">signed legislation into law in October</a> that requires private sector employers with 10 or more employees who don’t already have a retirement plan to automatically enroll their employees in the portable New York State’s Secure Choice Savings Plan.&nbsp;

In a recent example of this type of expansion, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul <a href="https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/kathy-hochul/hochul-signs-legislation-ensuring-retirement-plan-for-private-sector-employees/">signed legislation into law in October</a> that requires private sector employers with 10 or more employees who don’t already have a retirement plan to automatically enroll their employees in the portable New York State’s Secure Choice Savings Plan.&nbsp;

Shelly Steward, director of the Aspen Institute&#8217;s Future of Work Initiative, said she’s buoyed by the initiative in San Francisco and similar efforts in cities like Philadelphia, which established a bill of rights for domestic workers that included a legal right to a portable paid leave program.&nbsp;

Shelly Steward, director of the Aspen Institute's Future of Work Initiative, said she’s buoyed by the initiative in San Francisco and similar efforts in cities like Philadelphia, which established a bill of rights for domestic workers that included a legal right to a portable paid leave program.&nbsp;

Shelly Steward, director of the Aspen Institute&#8217;s Future of Work Initiative, said she’s buoyed by the initiative in San Francisco and similar efforts in cities like Philadelphia, which established a bill of rights for domestic workers that included a legal right to a portable paid leave program.&nbsp;

“It&#8217;s really inspiring to see smaller local governments like San Francisco act in the interests of the most marginalized workers and the workers who have been left behind the most because that&#8217;s how we&#8217;re going to have a more inclusive economy,” Steward said.&nbsp;

“It's really inspiring to see smaller local governments like San Francisco act in the interests of the most marginalized workers and the workers who have been left behind the most because that's how we're going to have a more inclusive economy,” Steward said.&nbsp;

“It&#8217;s really inspiring to see smaller local governments like San Francisco act in the interests of the most marginalized workers and the workers who have been left behind the most because that&#8217;s how we&#8217;re going to have a more inclusive economy,” Steward said.&nbsp;

The SF app could provide a strong foundation for additional benefits, Steward added.&nbsp;

The SF app could provide a strong foundation for additional benefits, Steward added.&nbsp;

“It&#8217;s a great step to start with a single benefit. Say, how do we make sure every worker has access to paid sick leave? Then, what&#8217;s next? How might we think about scheduling practices or overtime pay or ensuring minimum wages are enforced?” Steward said.

“It's a great step to start with a single benefit. Say, how do we make sure every worker has access to paid sick leave? Then, what's next? How might we think about scheduling practices or overtime pay or ensuring minimum wages are enforced?” Steward said.

“It&#8217;s a great step to start with a single benefit. Say, how do we make sure every worker has access to paid sick leave? Then, what&#8217;s next? How might we think about scheduling practices or overtime pay or ensuring minimum wages are enforced?” Steward said.

She drew a sharp contrast to the kind of portable benefits offered by tech platforms like Uber or Doordash, which were created as a trade-off allowing the companies to continue classifying workers as independent contractors and therefore keeping them ineligible for traditional benefits.&nbsp;

She drew a sharp contrast to the kind of portable benefits offered by tech platforms like Uber or Doordash, which were created as a trade-off allowing the companies to continue classifying workers as independent contractors and therefore keeping them ineligible for traditional benefits.&nbsp;

&#8220;The key difference is that domestic workers who are covered by this portable benefits legislation are not having to give up rights in order to get these benefits,” Steward said.

"The key difference is that domestic workers who are covered by this portable benefits legislation are not having to give up rights in order to get these benefits,” Steward said.

&#8220;The key difference is that domestic workers who are covered by this portable benefits legislation are not having to give up rights in order to get these benefits,” Steward said.

For Everyone&#8217;s Benefit

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-for-everyone-s-benefit">For Everyone&#8217;s Benefit </h2>

<h2 id="h-for-everyone-s-benefit">For Everyone's Benefit </h2>

<h2 id="h-for-everyone-s-benefit">For Everyone&#8217;s Benefit </h2>

The COVID-19 pandemic has made the lives of domestic workers even harder–and underscored their need for benefits.&nbsp;

The COVID-19 pandemic has made the lives of domestic workers even harder–and underscored their need for benefits.&nbsp;

“We saw that domestic workers overnight lost the majority of their work and of them became ill or their families or their children were infected by the virus,” said California Domestic Workers Coalition Director Kimberly Alvarenga.&nbsp;

“We saw that domestic workers overnight lost the majority of their work and of them became ill or their families or their children were infected by the virus,” said California Domestic Workers Coalition Director Kimberly Alvarenga.&nbsp;

Steward said the COVID-19 pandemic had cast a bright light on fissures in the social safety net, while also highlighting the ability of government and employers to provide rapid aid to workers in an emergency. That creates an opportunity to work towards a system envisioned by Steward and her colleagues where portable benefits are offered to everyone who works.

Steward said the COVID-19 pandemic had cast a bright light on fissures in the social safety net, while also highlighting the ability of government and employers to provide rapid aid to workers in an emergency. That creates an opportunity to work towards a system envisioned by Steward and her colleagues where portable benefits are offered to everyone who works.

“When you have universal portable benefits you have that basic level of security and you also have a more dynamic labor market. Steward said. “If people have a job that is not serving them, a bad job, a low quality job, they can quit and move on and those benefits continue and carry with them. If someone wants to start a new business, take on an entrepreneurial endeavor, they can do that.”

“When you have universal portable benefits you have that basic level of security and you also have a more dynamic labor market. Steward said. “If people have a job that is not serving them, a bad job, a low quality job, they can quit and move on and those benefits continue and carry with them. If someone wants to start a new business, take on an entrepreneurial endeavor, they can do that.”

A key consideration, Alvarenga underscored, is making tools as accessible as possible for both employees and employers and having oversight to ensure that the program serves its intended purpose.&nbsp;

A key consideration, Alvarenga underscored, is making tools as accessible as possible for both employees and employers and having oversight to ensure that the program serves its intended purpose.&nbsp;

&nbsp;“Policies may look good on paper, but they are really not real until they feel real in the lives of the people,” Alvarenga said.&nbsp;

&nbsp;“Policies may look good on paper, but they are really not real until they feel real in the lives of the people,” Alvarenga said.&nbsp;

New SF domestic worker law could lay the groundwork for a new type of employee benefits

Sarah Wright

Students approach Daniela Oropeza every day, asking her for advice, comfort and to share their stories of being sexually assaulted or harassed during or after school. But she’s not a trained therapist or Title IX officer. She’s a 12th grader at Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts.&nbsp;

Students approach Daniela Oropeza every day, asking her for advice, comfort and to share their stories of being sexually assaulted or harassed during or after school. But she’s not a trained therapist or Title IX officer. She’s a 12th grader at Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts.&nbsp;

Oropeza, who organized a school walkout to protest the way the district handles sexual assault and harassment cases this month, said her peers trust her far more than they do the school’s teachers or administration with their stories, and with their search for closure and justice.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Oropeza, who organized a school walkout to protest the way the district handles sexual assault and harassment cases this month, said her peers trust her far more than they do the school’s teachers or administration with their stories, and with their search for closure and justice.&nbsp;&nbsp;

She’s one of dozens of students calling attention to sexual assault and harassment on local high school campuses, and who say school administrators haven’t done enough to keep kids safe at school.&nbsp;

She’s one of dozens of students calling attention to sexual assault and harassment on local high school campuses, and who say school administrators haven’t done enough to keep kids safe at school.&nbsp;

Oropeza said she alerted the San Francisco Unified School District Student Advisory Council, a panel that represents student interests to the school district, and other student leaders about her plans to protest earlier this month. Word got out at other campuses, setting off a chain reaction of protests and letter-writing campaigns among student organizers across the city.&nbsp;

Oropeza said she alerted the San Francisco Unified School District Student Advisory Council, a panel that represents student interests to the school district, and other student leaders about her plans to protest earlier this month. Word got out at other campuses, setting off a chain reaction of protests and letter-writing campaigns among student organizers across the city.&nbsp;

The students say at every step of the way, the onus has been on them to advocate for their own safety. Even the district’s Title IX policy, which instructs students to file a formal complaint in cases of sexual assault, leaves victims on their own in the reporting process. Once an investigation culminates in a report, all parties can respond before a final decision is made. Students say this process can be retraumatizing, especially if they are asked to sit with their attacker or rehash the details of their assault. Instead, students are opting to take photos of their own sexual assault reports and gather their own evidence instead of engaging with the district’s case system, student leaders said.&nbsp;

The students say at every step of the way, the onus has been on them to advocate for their own safety. Even the district’s Title IX policy, which instructs students to file a formal complaint in cases of sexual assault, leaves victims on their own in the reporting process. Once an investigation culminates in a report, all parties can respond before a final decision is made. Students say this process can be retraumatizing, especially if they are asked to sit with their attacker or rehash the details of their assault. Instead, students are opting to take photos of their own sexual assault reports and gather their own evidence instead of engaging with the district’s case system, student leaders said.&nbsp;

Now, they’re organizing walkouts at school, calling meetings with administrators and even launching an effort to design new curricula for health classes. So far, the students say none of it has been enough to elicit a real response or any tangible action from adults.

Now, they’re organizing walkouts at school, calling meetings with administrators and even launching an effort to design new curricula for health classes. So far, the students say none of it has been enough to elicit a real response or any tangible action from adults.

“We’re students,” said Lowell senior Adrianna Zhang. “We’re not supposed to be doing this. This isn’t our job.”

“We’re students,” said Lowell senior Adrianna Zhang. “We’re not supposed to be doing this. This isn’t our job.”

SFUSD did not provide information on sexual assaults or Title IX cases in the district and pointed to a copy of its Title IX policy when reached for comment. Student activists say they haven’t seen any data either, but also speculate that many cases likely go unreported. Zhang, who serves as chair of the San Francisco Youth Commission, said schools’ mandatory reporting rules—meaning staff are required by law to report any suspected or actual child abuse to law enforcement—can serve as a deterrent. Instead, students turn to social media, to their friends or to student leaders like Oropeza to share their stories.&nbsp;

SFUSD did not provide information on sexual assaults or Title IX cases in the district and pointed to a copy of its Title IX policy when reached for comment. Student activists say they haven’t seen any data either, but also speculate that many cases likely go unreported. Zhang, who serves as chair of the San Francisco Youth Commission, said schools’ mandatory reporting rules—meaning staff are required by law to report any suspected or actual child abuse to law enforcement—can serve as a deterrent. Instead, students turn to social media, to their friends or to student leaders like Oropeza to share their stories.&nbsp;

Oropeza says she is a survivor of sexual assault since middle school—although she didn’t realize it at the time of the incident—and describes her and her classmates’ experiences as part of a larger “rape culture” across local campuses. According to student leaders, changes to Title IX under former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, which enshrined the presumption that perpetrators are innocent, exacerbated the problem.&nbsp;

Oropeza says she is a survivor of sexual assault since middle school—although she didn’t realize it at the time of the incident—and describes her and her classmates’ experiences as part of a larger “rape culture” across local campuses. According to student leaders, changes to Title IX under former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, which enshrined the presumption that perpetrators are innocent, exacerbated the problem.&nbsp;

The student walkouts have renewed an effort among students to push tangible changes to city and district policies. Oropeza is working to organize a district-wide protest in early December, while the San Francisco Youth Commission and SFUSD Student Advisory Council are working on specific Title IX reforms while calling city leaders to action.

The student walkouts have renewed an effort among students to push tangible changes to city and district policies. Oropeza is working to organize a district-wide protest in early December, while the San Francisco Youth Commission and SFUSD Student Advisory Council are working on specific Title IX reforms while calling city leaders to action.

When the Lights Come Up in the City: Bayview strong

New SF domestic worker law could lay the groundwork for a new type of employee benefits

SF high school students sound the alarm on sexual assault, harassment on campus

‘Long overdue’ reform of city’s $2B in annual grants will go into effect next year

City’s plan to reopen Great Highway to cars met with pushback

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When the Lights Come Up in the City: Bayview strong

New SF domestic worker law could lay the groundwork for a new type of employee benefits

SF high school students sound the alarm on sexual assault, harassment on campus

‘Long overdue’ reform of city’s $2B in annual grants will go into effect next year

City’s plan to reopen Great Highway to cars met with pushback