Awarded 300,000 to the bay view hill zone and park 94124 to renovate and possibly expand the playground which is in the center of the property. The plan that you see on the right happens to be the plan that you approved at that time. Since then, some changes have happened. We also came back in 2017 to accept a grant award from a federal grant that was administered through the state of california for 375,000 in order to add to this plan a pathway that would allow both youth and seniors to have a loop around the park and also have some adult exercise equipment. The community had for the c. O. F. Raised 30,000 for playground equipment. And then in addition at this time was able to raise an additional 150,000 for playground equipment through the Public Health foundation. So as i mentioned before at Capital Committee, the grant award that was a federal grant was actually retained detained in washington awaiting some signatures for them to give us the award money. So we couldnt start the project. At the time, i started to go to all the different communities around there to let them know what we were doing with the project because some time had passed, especially since 94124 had Extensive Community outreach at the time and there was a lot of support for the project during that time. When i went out, the Community Requested to be able to have an area where they can have Community Events on a lawn, such as picnic tables, bouncy houses, barbecues, things like that. Because we had most of the area dedicated to the field, it was hard to have it along keith street in particular. They didnt want a park along 3rd street because theres no parking there and its unsafe to unload in that area, which gave us time to seek out additional funding and provide the design that im presenting to you today. The design what it does here is it keeps the play structure more or less in the same vicinity, although the pathway, rather than running east to west along the north side of the playground, now it runs on the south side. The biggest change is the infield is moved to 3rd and armstrong, rather than on armstrong and on keith street. This allows and opens this green area that you see along keith street the opportunity to have informal gatherings as well as formal gatherings and larger gatherings for the community. It allows easy access to keith street, closer to the restroom and closer to the pool if you have children of varying ages doing various activities. This is a better and larger plan of it where you can see the different amenities that there are. The playground has also been increased to include swings, which is something that the Community Also requested. We have the adult exercise equipment around the pathway. Just recently this week i presented to one of the communities the 5800 3rd street h. O. A. , and they actually have stated that they wanted to see how they can create a file loop that can go around the property as well. So that is something were looking into, to make sure that that possibility is there. But it definitely exists because you can use the sidewalk as well as internal. Everything is accessible. A few photographs just to remind you of what the park looks like. The existing playground structure and then the pathway between the playground structure leading south to east. I meant east to west. And then from 3rd street you can see the busy 3rd street and armstrong on the right. This will be a formal entry now with the backstop that youd be entering behind. So youd go depending on who youre rooting for, youd go to the right or the left. The bleachers are on that side. It shows the fence along armstrong street that would be replaced. Just a view from where close to where the playground and the pool is back out into the field. Its very expansive. And then the two entrances on either side that will be flipped. This is a playground structure that was asked by the community and they were able to reserve a credit with recreation. Then below you can see this is actually green field. Were looking at a different type of make, but it gives an example of what the community would like to see. One in particular was very attractive to them that has the ability to be accessible for use of anybody sitting down in a wheelchair or standing up as well. That one is actually active. The other ones are passive static i meant. Okay. This is just a quick overview. In the staff report i give a detailed description of where the funding is coming from. But what you can see here is that in 2014 the project budget was really almost 600,000. Then when we were able to get the extra funding from the Public Health foundation and in addition the state grant, we were able to increase it to 1 million. Since that delay we were able to increase it to 5. 8. Oh, my goodness. Listed there are all the different contributors. I should say that we will end up starting we hope to begin at the beginning of next year and Start Construction in the springtime and finish off and open the park at the beginning of the folloing year. And that concludes my presentation. So the staff recommends that the commission approve the conceptual design improvements to bay view park. Thank you and im available for questions. President buell thank you. Clerk is there any Public Comment on this item . Good morning, commissioners. I spoke about this at committee. I wanted to try to bring about a greater diversity of activities and use of the field. I dont think people would be playing baseball every day on the field. So i wanted to bring other things into it, such as soccer and they have a lot of trainees and other people in the department now. Can we get that kind of person, a recreational leader . Because i dont know if they have funding to cover that and having a recreational leader. But i think it should have more diversity of activities, kiddie soccer, thats a big thing especially outdoors. I was looking at even the baseball field itself, if you could have inclusion of little leaguers from the neighborhood. I dont know how many want to be willie mays and those kind of people, but that is a big thing for the parents who have learned the sport baseball. Also, there could be a possibility of softball. Some of those things would be based upon where the bags would be and i guess thats part of the field management. If they had that included, i would like that very much. It would then bring about a diversity of activities. Thank you. President buell thank you. Clerk is there any other Public Comment . Being none, Public Comment is closed. President buell commissioner anderson. Yeah, i have a couple of questions. So were going to stay with the existing restroom; is that right . Yes, we are staying with the existing restrooms right now. If there is an ability to seek additional funding, then we would actually update it somewhat. What we are going to do is there are some accessories that need to be made accessible to todays standards, even though it was done several years ago. So that is definitely part of this project. Okay. But the twosided restroom, one for males and one for females . Yes, there is two sides. Its entered at the sidewalk. Its right at the property line. What you do is enter through a little vestibule with a drinking fountain in the middle and go right or left. Im assuming there are Restroom Facilities inside the pool center . There are. I see there are some concepts around trees and i would just like to for the designers to consider shade. I think that opportunity for shade is really important here. Its a bright, sunny place. Im there every day. I watch the people and it can be really hot and theres a lot of exposure from 3rd street. You need to get away from 3rd street. So i would like to see some concepts around shade. Maybe its not necessarily trees, but maybe it would be some other thing. I would just like to put it out there because i think its necessary. Thats it. President buell thank you. Seeing no other questions the chair would entertain a motion. Moved. Seconded. President buell all in favour . Aye. President buell so moved. Clerk we are now on item 11, japantown peace plaza Concept Design. Good morning, everyone. I hope youre managing to stay cool. Im not managing. My name is good morning, commissioners. My name is michael degregorio. Im a project manager at the Capital Division and the item before you today is discussion and possible action to approve a conceptual design for improvements to the japantown peace plaza. Approval of this proposed action by the commission is the approval action as defined by San Francisco administrative code we had the opportunity to present this last week at Capital Committee and so im very excited to come back and to present to the full commission today. This is a really exciting moment for me, for the department, and also for the community. This project references our Strategic Plan by inspiring public space and by inspiring play. What the process has been since about may 2018 has represented just really, really Tremendous Community support seen in three Main Community meetings with more than a hundred people at each. More than 700 responses throughout the process, both digital and intercept surveys, and dozens of more informal meetings with Different Community groups and members. Ultimately, this led to really productive conversation and people really moving the ball forward and working towards a common goal. I do have the Concept Design report that i prepared and submitted, but we actually wanted to try something a little bit different for this project. So we prepared a video that references that same concept report. So im going to play that, and ill come right back after its complete. Making it less effective as a daily use public space. In june 2018, the San Francisco recreation and Parks Department created a peace plaza vision plan with comprehensive community outreach. The project team attended dozens of Community Events to understand how existing plaza users currently use this space and what they would like to see in the future. In total, we spoke to hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds, received more than 700 survey responses, and held three Main Community meetings that collectively informed a set of Design Principles and a design that is broadbased Community Support and is community friendly. One of the most important parts of this design process in this whole Community Input was that we had professional expertise, architects who have that sensitivity and experience working with the japanese design. So thats very important to the community, and it was a natural for those professionals to be part of the process. We propose five main transformations to the existing plaza. First, we make it visually open and inviting while mitigating winds while providing seating and shade. Then we provide flexible, open space and seating for Community Events such as farmers markets, sumo tournaments and festivals. We propose to make peace plaza an inviting and playful space for people of all ages to discover and explore. Lights in the central reflecting pool pay homage to the flame. The South Entrance will welcome people into the plaza and mitigates noise levels. Lastly we have observed and incorporated significant elements of the original peace plaza design into the new proposal. When seen together, the new plaza will create space for a contemplative moment, a stop for lunch for a group of friends, a place to stroll, relax, and reflect on the importance of the peace plaza to this community and to the city of San Francisco. For myself and my generation, it really is a great challenge, but a mission of love and experience in terms of our older generations that contributed and developed this community. Their legacy is what we inherited through the second generation, through the redevelopment, and to maintain that history and culture of the third generation. If we can establish that legacy for the future generations, that peace plaza should represent that continuance of legacies. With that, i just wanted to close with the staff recommendation that commission approve the conceptual design to renovate japantown peace plaza and ill be on hand if you have any questions. President buell thank you. Clerk is there any Public Comment on this item . On this particular project there was a complication involving mitigation of wind going across and in all different directions. I tried to look at it, and i cant see too many other solutions to it. There was something i thought of, i dont know whether it would be any good or not, it has to do with the rooftop between the East Building and the West Building and the supportive structure on the edging of the roofing, wires across and you could try to do it through little [ indiscernible ] and pick up that wind problem. Okay. Those are some of the wind issues or put in some flags you already have around that site. I also liked the idea of the boulders. Ive sat on a big one there. It gives a good birdseye view of the location. It like the retaining of such boulders. Another part that was interesting to me had to do with the operation costs. That place there has changed throughout the years. It used to be different nightclubs. Theyre gone. Now they have all those small little dining places and a lot of takeout food. So when they have all that food moving all around, its going to at one time or another end up in the plaza area. I dont know how the trash concept will be strategically located how to deal with the trash. Anyway, the operational costs i believe, im not sure, who owns that particular building, i thought it was a private issue. I remember the fellow used to drive a porsche. I dont know how the Recreation Department controls the plaza area. If there is any way to try to gain an operational cost, i think that should be something the project manager as well as the department can kind of look into that would help alleviate some of the costs, maybe get additional personnel. Im not going to take any more time. Thank you. President buell thank you. Good morning, commissioners. My name is john osaki. Im here today as a board member of the Japantown Task force as well as a cochair of the peace plaza committee. I just wanted to share with you that i am extremely pleased to finally be with you all here this morning. I cannot tell you how much this project has been a source of frustration for our community for many, many years. Its what i wanted to share this morning is that this project is much more than just an openspace project for this community. It has very deep meaning into the roots of our community here in San Francisco. Many of you probably know San Francisco was the first port of entry for japanese in this country. The very first japantown was formed in San Francisco. People built a life here, despite tremendous obstacles, despite tremendous racism and hatred that culminated in the forced removal of our entire community during world war ii. But people came back. People came back and reestablished homes. They reestablished businesses. They found a way to rebuild this community following the war, only to be removed a second time in the name of urban renewal. The second time that our community was removed from this area, people didnt come back, and that can never be undone. Today we those of us who are fighting to preserve our community have to find ways to continue to draw people and bring people into our community. We have to find opportunities and ways to bring our community to gather and really honor those who came before us, who work so hard to preserve our community, and thats what this project represents to us. It represents a legacy to those who built this community and to those who continue to want to preserve it and to maintain the vitality of japantown. And i am so grateful for the support of the rec and Park Department through this process. Those of us in japantown, frankly, are used to be being told what to do and what we can do and where we can live. This was one of the few times i felt like the community spoke and we shared what we thought was appropriate for this community and we very much support this Design Concept plan and we urge you to support it. Thank you. President buell thank you. Good afternoon, commissioners. When we started this process it was morning, so im just going to move into good afternoon. President buell, Vice President low, commissioner anderson, bonilla, harrison, mazzola and mcdonnell. We want to talk about the remarks you saw by john osaki, the cochair, we want to emphasize the points of inclusion. I wanted to also give you greetings from our board chair as well as our cochair who couldnt join us today and the concept was the point of due diligence. I think the video and all of the references talks about the three communitywide meetings, the 100 members who were included in it, the dozens of other meetings we had. We talked about the redevelopment and what effect it had on japantown. It was very important we had this project. As this project was indicated, its japantown peace plaza open space, but for many of us its sacred ground. This is our third Japanese Community in San Francisco. Were only three japanese communities left in the whole United States with san diego being the other one and los angeles. So in terms of california and the United States, San Franciscos japantown has the symbolism of the history. There was a lot of remarks in terms of inclusion, but never have we in all our years felt a more positive working relationship than with the department of public works, with the architects from the department of public works as well, park and recreation staff, our community advisors, r. H. A. , a whole inclusion to make members of our communities believers in the process. So as we reiterated, this is probably the first time within our Community History that we, members of our community, are in control of our own destiny to place a symbolism behind the peace plaza that reflects not only japantown but also San Francisco. I made a remark that how many facilities in San Francisco can you call a peace plaza, symbolizing the concepts of what we really need to reinforce as a place in San Francisco that honors our Japanese Community but also honors the principles of peace as well for all san franciscans. We ask you for your support in the full allocation of funding for this project. President buell thank you. Clerk is there any other Public Comment on this item . Good afternoon, commissioners. Im glad to be here. My name is mark izu. I am part of the jtown task force, but i am talking to you as a musician and composer. I went to all three Public Meetings for the peace plaza, and my world is a qualitative world so im just talking to you from a qualitative standpoint. When i saw all of the designs and i looked at who theyre showing this to, i realized are my grandchildren going to enjoy this . Who is this for . This is for the future and buildings are of course for the next generation. I was very moved and thrilled that this is a wonderful place to be and ill be proud for my grandchildren to come play there. So thank you. President buell thank you. Clerk is there any other Public Comments . Seeing none, Public Comment is closed. President buell commissioner low. Vice president low commissioners, this is, as youve heard, really not only a physical project, but its actually a spiritual project as well. Its not often jtown is completely unified on issues, but this is one project where i think the entire jtown community is unified, which really signifies the importance of this project. I just want to give recognition to sandy morry, steve, nakaj, john, just the tireless leaders that have really pushed this project forward and have been resilient in pushing it forward for over ten years. I can remember my first interview with mayor adley on being appointed to the commission and he said, lets get peace plaza done. Its taken nine years, but it does before us. I want to recognize my colleague gloria bonilla. You have been a staunch advocate for this for probably 20plus years and i urge all the commissioners to approve it because it will create a happy home in commissioner gloria bonil bonillas house as well as a happy community and city. President buell thank you, commissioner. Commissioner gloria bonilla. We had several conscience i had the unfortunate pleasure of going to various site visits to see the condition, the deteriorated, degraded condition of the peace plaza and feeling just almost heart broken about the situation. At the time that we visited actually, the very first visit that we were there, i was there with commissioner harrison and i think, buel, you joined us on the second visit. But in the first visit where commissioner harrison and i went, we actually witnessed a Senior Citizen almost fall on her face, tripping over a tile that was broken. I was i thought i mean, i already had the sense after or the feeling after visiting the garage and the plaza that we had to i mean the department absolutely had to share in the responsibility of renovating the plaza. That was in my mind, there was no question. The department had partner with the community to get this work done. I also left all the meetings that i joined in with my fellow commissioners or visits, i left with the impression that for me this project couldnt happen fast enough. I never thought i would wake up this morning and open my because i hate to admit that i hadnt opened my briefcase until early this morning and actually saw that this was on the agenda. So i was just so elated. I never thought i mean, i didnt think that this day would mark the day that we begin the journey of getting this bond approved so that we could see this project and many other priority projects that we want to push forward with on the bond. So i just thought were beginning the journey, but were not there yet. We still have to pass the bond. You know thats not a fait accompli. So i know its been a long journey for the Japantown Task force and the community to get to this point, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us to get the bond passed. I just want to press that upon not only on the community, but on our department. I want to specifically thank john and sandy and steve for for taking on the leadership role for this project. I want to thank my fellow commissioners and the department and all the other city departments that joined in and really embraced this project wholeheartedly. I just want to conclude, im just so elated to see that this day has come. Thank you. President buell thank you, commissioner. Commissioner mcdonnell. Thank you so much. There are a few moments since my time of serving on the commission when we arrive at what for me as a native san franciscan growing up here come to these kind of seminal moments, as john so eloquently said, while the wrongs cant be undone, we certainly can make statements going forward. In my view, this is one of those statements that says this is significant and important enough to, yes, take the time too long to finally make this kind of commitment and investment. So i too join my colleagues in commending first just the stallward leadership and steadfast leadership and tireless leadership that brought us to this moment to move this forward. Certainly as was said, were not quite at the finish line, but were near. Thank you all who got us to this point. I did have one question because i couldnt quite understand from the staff report the budget plan, either in part or around the conceptual piece of it, which is beautiful, by the way, or the larger renovation effort. There was just two lines, one says conceptual line and t. B. D. Commissioner, ill take that one, the cost is 25 total project cost is 25 million and what youre approving today is the concept plan. We are very committed to seeing this project through to execution, but we dont know exactly the source of funds yet until we work through a process of arriving at how the 2019 clean and safe Neighborhood Parks bonds will be allocated. There are other potential sources of money that could contribute to this project. So it is t. B. D. Got it. Thank you. President buell thank you, commissioner. Commissioner anderson. I was really excited to see this come on the agenda too when i came here in 1988 i lived a few blocks away and i was a broke law student. That was my first public space that i ever visit. It was both beautiful and also lacking even in 1988. So that was 31 years ago. I cant believe that much time has passed. I want to honor one of my political mentors and friends carol eto who introduced me to steve and sandy and john and i want to thank you for all your activist on this. Whatever we can do, both as commissioners and private citizens, to help spur this along and find funding sources, i just want to pledge im very interested in helping and supporting that. I hope we can move this along as fast as possible. President buell thank you, commissioner. Mr. Ginsburg. General manager ginsburg its all been said. Let me be brief and thank the Japantown Task force and all those particularly focused on the peace plaza project. For your collaboration because thats why were here at the end of the day because we rolled up our sleeves and collaborated. To that end a special shout out to michael degregorio, our project manager, who helped lead the facilitated Community Design process. And also he took the initiative to debut this new way of showing a Concept Design through video and through interviews, which we havent done before. It is a great way to tell the story. Thats our job, to tell the story about why a project is important and what its potential is. A big thanks to mike for being creative and innovative and entrepreneurial, but also your steadfast commitment and work on the project. President buell thank you. Seeing no other questions. The chair would entertain a motion. May i please make the motion . President buell please do. Moved by commissioner bonnilla. Seconded. All in favour . Aye. President buell so moved. Thank you very much. Clerk we are now on item 12, general Public Comment, continued from item 4 if necessary. Chapter 31. At this time members of the public who were not able to address the commission on item 4 may address the commission on items that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the recreation and Park Commission and that do not appear on the agenda. Is there any Public Comment . Hello. President buell hello. Im going to try to touch on the San Francisco reservoir. Thats something that i havent looked at for a while. They have the money now. They have all that good fortune. They have all that money. A point i want to try to bring in has to do with the Water Reservoir hill is a preservation and should be treated the same way Golden Gate Park is. So where they have Water Development there, they have an external pump and the internal down the water. Theyre going to pump that up to where the reservoir is. Its going to have that foam stuff is [ indiscernible ] and they used gravitational drip down. What i had brought in at one of the meetings has to do with an offsite gray water approach. That was well received by one of the managerials in the planning department. I would like to again bring up the idea of having gray water from off site treatment that would be not necessarily sewer wat water, that would be where theyre putting in the very powerful pump. So of the gray water approach, i still think that it should be looked at a little bit closer. There are requirements, being its a preservational landmark, and it should be treated equally the same way you would treat the Golden Gate Park. The water should be gently washed and not at all harshly treated with chemicals. So with that in mind, thats about all i wanted to try to convey to you people on the commission as well as the general manager. Thank you. President buell thank you. Clerk any other Public Comment . Seeing none oh. Come forward. Good morning. My name is francis and i have lived across from the douglass playground for 20 years. Im here to request that there is additional signage on that playground. There is a sign on the outside of the gate saying dogs must be held on a leash. Also next to it is a sign stating that again dogs have to be held on leash, owners have to pick up after that. There is no signs inside the park. And of course i have been there and i have of course seen people off leash with their dogs. So im just requesting that theres a little bit more signage inside the park, maybe on the clubhouse next to the picnic area. That park is so popular. There is jumpy houses. According to parks and rec they have to have at least six months to reserve. Every weekend there is a jumpy house or birthday party. Douglass playground also has an off leash sorry, im not remembering my facts here as well as i would like to. An alvarado, there is a rec and park program at the park where a lot of kids are there. Im just requesting there is more signage so its safer. There is a sign outside the sandy area saying no dogs shld be in that sandy area. There is no fence around that sandy area. Theres not like douglass courts or walter hoss playground. There is nothing to keep the dogs out except being on leash. Please put some signs up there. President buell thank you. Clerk is there any other Public Comment . Come up on. Thanks. Hi. Good morning. I have been a resident of Diamond Heights for the last 20 years, and i go to upper douglass dog park a lot. What im here about is to get a usable restroom because there is no facility right there now and there is a Historical Building that if possibly we could get that renovated, if not, just something usable. Because we have a highusage dog park there and we have the clientele that Young Children from 5 to 92. So we have the whole spectrum and we want a usable restroom and if we could restore that building, that would be great. Can i give you this . President buell thank you. Clerk is there any other Public Comment . Seeing none, Public Comment is closed. We are now on item 13, closed session, to inquiry with Legal Counsel on existing litigation. Is there any Public Comment on this item . Seeing none, Public Comment is closed. Commissioners, we need a motion and a second to go into closed session. I move that we go into closed session. Seconded. Okay, commissioners, first we will need a vote whether to report on the action taken in closed session. Ill move to not disclose. Second. President buell moved and seconded. All in favour . Aye. President buell so moved. Clerk now whether to disclose all or any of the discussions held in closed session. Move to not disclose. Second. President buell moved and seconded. All in favour . Aye. Clerk we are now on item 14, commissioners matter. This is allowed for commissioners to raise issue. There will be no discussion of these at this time. President buell seeing none. Clerk is there any Public Comment on this item . Seeing none, Public Comment is closed. We are now on item 15, new business agenda setting. Is there any Public Comment on this item . Seeing none, this item is closed. We are on item 16. Is there any Public Comment on this item . Seeing none, this item is closed. We are no on item 17, adjournment. Moved. Seconded. President buell thank you to our incoming and outgoing secretaries for a very, very good job. Good job. [ ] once i got the hang of it a little bit, you know, like the first time, i never left the court. I just fell in love with it and any opportunity i had to get out there, you know, they didnt have to ask twice. You can always find me on the court. [ ] we have been able to participate in 12 athletics wheelchairs. They provide what is an expensive tool to facilitate basketball specifically. Behind me are the amazing golden state road warriors, which are one of the most competitive adaptive basketball teams in the state led by its captain, chuck hill, who was a National Paralympic and, and is now an assistant coach on the national big team. It is great to have this opportunity here in San Francisco. We are the main hub of the bay area, which, you know, we should definitely have resources here. Now that that is happening, you know, i im looking forward to that growing and spreading and helping spread the word that needs that these people are here for everyone. I think it is important for people with disabilities, as well as ablebodied, to be able to see and to try different sports, and to appreciate trying different things. People can come and check out this chairs and use them. But then also friday evening, from 6 00 p. M. Until 8 00 p. M. , it will be wheelchair basketball we will make sure it is available, and that way people can no that people will be coming to play at the same time. We offer a wide variety of adaptive and inclusion programming, but this is the first time we have had our own equipment. [ ] welcome to hamilton recreation and aquatics center. It is the only facility that has an integrated Swimming Pool and Recreation Center combined. We have to pools, the citys water slide, for little kids and those of you that are more daring and want to try the rockslide, we have a drop slide. Exercises for everybody. Hi have a great time. The ladies and guys that come, it is for the community and we really make it fun. People think it is only for those that play basketball or swim. I have been coming to the pool for a long time now. It is nice, they are sweet. In the aquatics center, they are very committed to combining for people in San Francisco. And also ensuring that they have public safety. There are a lot of different personalities that come through here and it makes it very exciting all the time. They, their family or teach their kids have a swim. Of the gem is fantastic, there is an Incredible Program going on there, both of my girls have learned to swim there. It is a fantastic place, check it out. It is an incredible indication of what bonn dollars can do with our hearts and facilities. It is as good as anything you will find out why mca. Parents come from all over. There are not too many pools that are still around, and this is onestop shopping for kids. You can bring your kid here and have a cool summer. If you want to see some of the youth and young men throughout San Francisco play some great pickup games, come wednesday night for midnight basketball. On saturdays, we have a senior lyons dance that has a great time getting exercise and a movement. We have all the music going, the generally have a good time. Whether it is awkward camp or junior guard. From more information, visit working with kids, they keep you young. They keep you on your tones on your toes. Teaching them, at the same time, us learning from them, everything is fulfilling. Ready . Go. [ ] we really wanted to find a way to support Women Entrepreneurs in particular in San Francisco. It was very important for the mayor, as well as the Safety Support the dreams that people want to realize, and provide them with an opportunity to receive funding to support improvements for their business so they could grow and thrive in their neighborhoods and in their industry. Three, two, one because i am one of the consultants for two nonprofits here for entrepreneurship, i knew about the grand through the renaissance entrepreneur center, and through the Small Business development center. I thought they were going to be perfect candidate because of their strong values in the community. They really give back to the neighborhood. They are from this neighborhood, and they care about the kids in the community here. When molly molly first told us about the grant because she works with Small Businesses. She has been a tremendous help for us here. She brought us to the attention of the grand just because a lot of things here were outdated, and need to be uptodate and redone totally. Hands in front. Recite the creed. My oldest is jt, he is seven, and my youngest is ryan, he is almost six. It instills discipline and the boys, but they show a lot of care. We think it is great. The moves are fantastic. The women both are great teachers. What is the next one . My son goes to fd k. He has been attending for about two years now. They also have a summer program, and last summer was our first year participating in it. They took the kids everywhere around San Francisco. This year, owner talking about placing them in summer camps, all he wanted to do was spend the entire summer with them. He has strong women in his life, so he really appreciates it. I think that carries through and i appreciate the fact that there are more strong women in the world like that. I met dandrea 25 years ago, and we met through our interest in karate. Our professor started on cortland years ago, so we grew up here at this location, we out he outgrew the space and he moved ten years later. He decided to reopen this location after he moved. Initially, i came back to say, hey, because it might have been 15 years since i even put on a uniform. My Business Partner was here basically by herself, and the person she was supposed to run the studio with said great, you are here, i started new Nursing School so you can take over. And she said wait, that is not what i am here for i was by myself before for a month before she came through. She was technically here as a secretary, but we insisted, just put on the uniform, and help her teach. I was struggling a little bit. And she has been here. One thing led to another and now we are coowners. You think a lot more about safety after having children and i wanted to not live in fear so much, and so i just took advantage of the opportunity, and i found it very powerful to hit something, to get some relief, but also having the knowledge one you might be in a situation of how to take care of yourself. The selfdefence class is a new thing that we are doing. We started with a group of women last year as a trial run to see how it felt. Theres a difference between selfdefence and doing a karate class. We didnt want them to do an actual karate class. We wanted to learn the fundamentals of how to defend yourself versus, you know, going through all the forms and techniques that we teaching a karate class and how to break that down. Then i was approached by my old high school. One once a semester, the kids get to pick an extra curricular activity to take outside of the school walls. My old biology teacher is now the principle. She approached us into doing a selfdefence class. The girls have been really proactive and really sweet. They step out of of the comfort zone, but they have been willing to step out and that hasnt been any pushback. It is really great. It is respect. You have to learn it. When we first came in, they knew us as those girls. They didnt know who we were. Finally, we came enough for them to realize, okay, they are in the business now. It took a while for us to gain that respect from our peers, our male peers. Since receiving the grant, it has ignited us even more, and put a fire underneath our butts even more. We were doing our summer camp and we are in a movie theatre, and we just finished watching a film and she stepped out to receive a phone call. She came in and she screamed, hey, we got the grant. And i said what . Martial arts is a passion for us. It is passion driven. There are days where we are dead tired and the kids come and they have the biggest smiles on their faces and it is contagious. We have been operating this program for a little over a year all Women Entrepreneurs. It is an extraordinary benefit for us. We have had the Mayors Office investing in our program so we can continue doing this work. It has been so impactful across a diversity of communities throughout the city. We hope that we are making some type of impact in these kids lives outside of just learning karate. Having selfconfidence, having discipline, learning to know when its okay to stand up for yourself versus you just being a bully in school. These are the values we want the kids to take away from this. Not just, i learned how to kick and i learned how to punch. We want the kids to have more values when they walk outside of these doors. [ ] it is nice we can do this outside. It is so nice out. It is 110 degrees in sacramento. We have this weather ten days a year, maybe, but now with global warming, it is 30 days
comparemela.com © 2020. All Rights Reserved.