Transcripts For SFGTV Government Access Programming 20240714

People are getting access to our system of care. Things have changed, evolved. So i would say its not the same. Its not the same now as it was a year ago. Even though the contract hasnt been approved, theyre operating under some of these same expectations that we have developed for them over the past six months. Supervisor haney thank you. I guess, i hope that i can learn more about what our plans are. I have sort of questions and concerns about our broader outreach approach, which is partly hot, partly hsoc, but what i see in my neighborhood in the tenderloin is often folks out there, who may get woken up and moved in the morning by police, but rarely am i getting a sense theyre getting effective outreach from folks who are trying to get them support and help and off the street. Maybe a capacity issue. Obviously then, the nighttime and emergency situation response is a concern for me as well. So i hope that we can look at their outcomes and supporting them to be as effective as possible, within a larger krout reach framework. Thank you. Supervisor walton thank you. Just a quick question for clarity. I do know that i do believe that some of the increased staffing under this will be for a Team Dedicated to working with people who are living in their vehicles, correct . Thats correct. President yee supervisor fewer . Supervisor fewer yes. I just wanted to thank you, president yee, i just wanted to share with supervisor haney that we on the Budget Committee had many, many questions about this contract also. And have asked the department to come back as part of the budget process to give us an update. And also an update on the r. S. P. , too. Thank you. President yee okay. I think that might be it for you, director. Can we take this same house, same call . Okay. Without objection then, this resolution is adopted unanimously. Madame clerk, were at 2 34. Lets go to the 2 30 item. Its time to celebrate and recognize individuals in our community which represent the Latinx Community. President yee okay. Colleagues, and special guests, welcome to our latinx heritage month celebration. Today each of us will be honoring Incredible Community members from latinx heritage who have contributed so much to San Francisco. I will now hand this off to supervisor ronen of district 9, whose office helped to coordinate todays celebration. Supervisor ronen, please share your remarks. Supervisor ronen thank you so much, president yee. I am extremely excited to be here for this extraordinary ceremony today. In honor of latinx heritage month, my office is very proud to host this celebration that recognizes several standout latinx Community Members from each district who embody the profound resilience and rich Cultural Heritage of San Franciscos Latinx Community. I would like to thank my colleagues for working with the extraordinary paul of my office for making this celebration possible. As you all know, paul recently joinedmy office a few weeks ago and hes already pulled off this incredible celebration. I feel really lucky. There he is. Very lucky to get to work with you every day, paul. Thank you for all youve done. This is our second year of hosting these commendations and the celebration during latinx heritage month and were hopeful this will become a lasting tradition, so we can celebrate the contributions that the Latinx Community has made to our city. This years theme, we are San Francisco. Specifically recognizing some exemplary Community Members from across the city, who are either immigrants themselves or have made notable contributions in serving latinx communities. Despite all of the hateful receipt recognize that continues to spew from our federal administration and in light of the white supremacist killings in texas that targeted people of latinx descent, with we wanted to strike a more hopeful note and showcase the power of the Latinx Community by elevating the stories of remarkable san franciscans. These individuals are Small Business owners, architects, educators, Community Organizers and most importantly they represent just how much better, brighter, safer and stronger San Francisco is made by the diverse immigrant families and individuals who we are all so lucky to call our neighbors and have as part of our community. I would again like to thank my colleagues for joining me in recognizing these remarkable leaders and Community Members from each of our districts. I would like to give an additional shoutout to natalie yen, javier, and ann, who all volunteer in my office and worked closely with paul to make the celebration today possible. As well as the brilliant we have tons of amazing brilliant latinx legislative aides in our offices that all contributed as well, including tracy, sunny, ian and juan. Thanks to everyone who worked hard on this. Now, i have the absolute pleasure of opening todays commendations and then we will go in order of supervisors by last name, with one exception. Safai is jumping the line, but he is only doing so for our beloved ingrid. Hell come after me. Because she is Department Head not yet, ingrid, sorry, youre second. Shes the Department Head that has to get back to a meeting. With that, if i could call up armando, the latinx heritage month honouree. [applause] armando, thank you for doing this for me, because believe it or not, a dream of mine has been to honor you since i became supervisor. Only took me three years, but today is truly a realization of a goal of mine. Thank you for letting me recognize your incredible contributions to this community. Armando is an immigrant from mexico who for the past 50 years has called the Mission District his home. Has made outstanding contributions to the Latinx Community and is passionate, tenacious pursuit for creating spaces for families. He grew up in a small rural town in mexico with no Running Water or electricity. In 1969, his family arrived in the mission and lived in the community ever since. Hes a product of local schools, attending marshall, everett and mission high, before going on to study at city college, sf state and u. C. Berkeley for graduate work. He decided to become an architect and credits one of highs teachers for setting in motion his career. He believes that housing is a human right and having a home is connected to the wellbeing of families. Children shouldnt have to worry about having a roof over their heads and parents shouldnt have to work more than one job so they can devote jobs to their families. This is the essence of a Healthy Lifestyle which has become his architect mantra and focuses on the importance of spaces. To armando, space light and geometry can have a positive effect. He worked in the private sector for some time, but in search of something more rewarded, he went back to school to get his graduate degree. For ten years he worked in the Mission Housing development corporation, focussing on creating healthy spaces and advocating for designs that accommodate multigenerational family structures, age appropriate for Young Children and adults and push the limits on sustainability by using environmentally sound materials. He designed a building at 21 and south van ness, one of the first h. I. V. Welcoming spaces that included amenities like Healing Gardens and transferred s. R. O. S by introducing Case Management and other services. Hes been working as a consultant to nonprofit, to as he puts it, meet his social responsibility. I once asked his wife, how does he make money to support the family . Because he basically volunteers for everyone. This work is included, renovating the mission, cedar, which he shared were rewarding and extremely challenging. Thats an under statement. And he sees this work as a way to connect with his community and be part of a team which he loves. Living in the mission for 50 years, he has witnessed the serious impacts of gentrification. We need to remain sensitive to the contact of the surrounding buildings and the missions existing culture when we design and build. Right now, he is designing a ninestory Family Building that has a modern exterior. He is providing Consultation Services for three of the five Affordable Housing projects now being constructed in the mission. Hes amazing, right . Despite his very full work and family schedule, armando has always found time to volunteer with community organizations. He got involved with st. Peters housing committee. He has served several terms of the Community Services and served as a building inspection in order to bring light to substandard Building Conditions in the mission. My office has the incredible as a member of the front staff office team. Thank you for everything you do. Youre a hero of mine. And i want to thank you and your entire family for everything you do for our community. Congratulations. [applause] thank you, supervisor ronen and members of the board. On this warm day in San Francisco. Theyre actually a source of inspiration to keep me going. But i also want to thank the mission community, the Latino Community in San Francisco, that continues to maintain its presence. So thank you very much. Really, really appreciate this from the bottom of my heart. And amy as well. [applause] president yee while were finishing up with that, why dont we have supervisor safai go ahead and announce your award. All right, ms. Ingrid [applause] im so proud to be here today to shine a light on a phenomenal woman that has dedicated so much of her life to giving back to the families and children of San Francisco. Im honored today to honor ingrid as my district 11 honouree for the latinx heritage month. She is a pioneer and champion for all children and families here in San Francisco. As i said, she is dedicated almost her entire career to that cause. So many lives have been touched by her work. And so many children have benefitted from the programs she helped to put in place. I know, president yee, you know that firsthand having worked with her over the last couple of decades. Throughout her career, ingrid has fought to ensure that all have access to high quality care to prepare them for the rest of their lives. For 25 years, ingrid has contributed to the nonprofited and public sectors in various capacities, including strategist, director, advisor, consultant and board member for many different organizations dedicated to these types of causes. Ingrid has developed and managed multiple children and Family Service programs, including implementing preschool for all. San francisco universal preschool system. To ensure children have access to high quality preschool. Let that sink in. There is not many places in the United States that have preschool for all and universal child care. And in the city dwindling numbers of families and working families, having access to good quality affordable child care is one of the most important steps we can take in our journey toward justice and our journey toward bridging the gap and the Educational Achievement gap. Ingrid has known that and dedicated herself to that for many, many years. [applause] she has fans in the audience. Ingrid grew up in the Mission District and attended San Francisco public schools. She raised her two daughters in San Francisco and is the proud grandmother of two granddaughters, who like her, are being raised in San Francisco. She currently serves and most recently was appointed by mayor london breed for the director of the childhood education where she is pioneering policy on equity and systems change to disrupt racial inequity. Ingrid, thank you so much for sharing all that you have done for San Francisco over these last couple of decades. And for your love of children, for your love of families. And our city is a better place today because of all the work that you have done, so it is truly my honor today to honor you and latinx heritage month. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, supervisors safai and members of the board. I am honored, im humbled, im grateful for being part of this city. My parents emigrated here in the 60s from central america, from el salvador. And one of values they instilled was were going to to be bilingual no matter what. Thats a value i carried forward. [please stand by] United States. By shining a light on Current Issues his work is meant to challenge racism people of color and other heroes face with a more positive conversation through familiar images. Rubys often challenging visual pieces seek to create a cultural shift and bring beauty into the world. By uplifting the stories and personal a long journeys of those left out of the mainstream culture, he hopes people will expand their understanding who and what is valuable and worth our attention. And politicians. I want to share a couple pieces of his artwork. Can we have the projector, please . Rubys artwork features the vulnerable and fallen that we will never forget. Who was tragically last after separated from his parents at the border, nina was murdered over a year ago at the bart macarthur station, marsha p johnson, the new york based lgbtq transactivist who was a trailblazer for transgender and gay and aids activism, and elder Nathan Phillips who showed honor in the face of hatred in front of the lincoln memorial. Two of my personal favorites. I am not going to say it. I dont want to get in trouble. [applause. ] thank you for those. As a powerful voice for cultural change and includessiveness, i am honored to commend ruby for work as an artist and activist. In the time that is so difficult in so many ways to be an artist in San Francisco, i want to personally thank you for coming down to accept this and i cant wait to see what else you will create in the years to come. [applause. ] thank you for having me. I never thought when i moved here this would ever happen to me. Unfortunately, i dont have many words to share other than i hope everybody is open to changing because a lot of what we learned growing up is wrong, and just be open to that. That is all i have to say. Thank you. [applause. ] superviseser fewer. I would like to call up ms. Sanchez. Most people know i dont stand for these things. Considering it i feel i am left. It is my great pleasure to recognize sanchez as my honoree in celebration of latin month. With the california youth justice alliance. She is organizing against the criminalization of undocumented people since 2015 when ice illegally kidnapped her grandfather. Through her organizing she was able to force ice to stop the van her grandfather was in on the way to mexico and release him back to another home to take him back to his home where he has lived for 26 years. She comes from mexico city as an ad das anand is the first to gre from her family from high school and first to graduate from College Setting an example for her younger siblings. She is a dreamer in every aspect of the word. She dreams of liberation and justice, alive for her parents that alive them to thrive to be economically secure. She dreams of the end of criminalization of undocumented people. She is doing something about it. She has ledd led the deportation campaigns and trained youth to build leadership and knowledge. She is the recipient of the the scholarship. Success for an undocumented student at San Francisco state. She is a representation of a Younger Generation who are not afraid, who are resilient and strong and who will not be deferred to securing human rights. I have known her for 10 years. It is because she shared with me her terrifying a long journey, her family situation and how undocumented families lives are affected by the immigration policies every day that set the policies for the creation of the deportation defense unit at the public defenders office. I want to thank her for deepening my understanding and tire less work to bring liberation and justice to all people, but in particular to our undocumented community. [applause. ] thank you for standing up for immigrants in our community. I would like to recognize the people, community and my family who supported my a long journey. This goes to the california Immigrants Alliance where i work to an organizer who has shown me what a bold leader looks like through the defense liberateters fleeing people from detention centers, to the communications that have transformed the narrative in california. Tto my loving family for always having my back in spite of the hard times to my uncle who encouraged me to move to the bay area and do this work. And to my undocumented community for making the impossible possible. While this country was founded on racist laws, here we are breaking them all and creates a world with no cages, where we stop the criminalization of all people in the country. Lastly i celebrate this as long as we continue to work for a World Without cages and to abolish ice. Thank you also much. [applause. ] next up is supervisor haney. Supervisor haney thank you for organizing this. Today i am so proud and excited to honor the committed, brilliant, activist activist Community Mother ms. Gomez. Anyone who knows her, knows that she is never afraid to fight for what she believes in. She has done so much to empower and support especially young people across my district, our city and the entire state. Crea is a Second Generation san franciscan and currently lived with six beautiful children. Her grandfather immigrated from his home in mexico. He was an activist working alongside sister chavez and willie brown. In his footsteps she is a Community Organizer and advocate in the city. She was a part of the anti Displacement Coalition and later served as director of the Homeless Prenatal Program where she supported 200 pregnant women. She is the director at the young Womens Freedom Center. The organization which is headquartered in district six that worked within cancer rated women cancer rated women and girl, heal from trauma, advocate on behalf of themselves and sister and transform the conditions, systems and policies that lead to intergenerational cycles of poverty. At 16 she was one of the first to go through the young Womens Freedom Center program. It was there that she learned we have the power to affect change, that experiences have power and knowledge and power can help her overcome any obstacle. Her experiences at a youth at young Womens Freedom Center inspired here. She spent 25 years working to help other women recognize their own personal and collective power to encourage them with a system against them. She is advancing the sister warriors freedom, a statewide group of 400 women and girls. Sd42 known as the getting home safe act which was inspired by the tragic case of jessica st. Louis who died on july 28, 2018 after released from the jail at 1 30 a. M. The california recently approved sp42 and if it is signed into law. Is it signed yet . We need that law signed. The bill will require jail throughout california to provide people who are eligible for release during nighttime hours with the option every maining in a safe waiting area until morning. For those who choose t to be released. It requires jail so the person can arrange a ride home. I had the honor of working together with all of us at the board on our plan to shut down juvenile hall, which she was very much a ladyder in, and it was her commitment to supporting the needs and aspirations and voices of youth that made such a tremendous difference in that effort. It is a pleasure to know you and to see your work, to see the way you lift up other people and i am so grateful for your work and the opportunity to be able to recognize you today, long overdue. Thank you so much for everything you do. We love you. [applause. ] i want to thank my family. My parents are here. My cousin and aunt are here. I want to thank my siblings from young women freedom and i want to thank the board of supervisors. It is important that we acknowledge we are at a place in history where San Francisco has a board of supervisors doing more than just honoring the folks in the community but working to have a place in the city and a city built on our culture continues to thrive and exists with us here. Thank you so much and i appreciate this. I am very honored. Thank you. [applause. ] next up is supervisor mandelman from district 8. Thank you, president yee. Supervisor mandelman first, thank you supervisor ronen and paul and all of the amazing people that put this together. District eight is home to many Phenomenal Community organizations. The Community Services is one of my favorites. When my office asked who they would like to mom name for the month nominate. They wanted somebody who embodies the women of color and their contributions to the community. I am proud to recognize a tire less latin leader in the local, regional and National Movements for worker rights. I will say a lot of nice things about you. She is a legend. In district 8 she is leader and codirector of the workers rights program. Born in mexico, her mother worked cleaning houses while her father was a farmer and garner. In 1985 she immigrated to the United States. Four years later these was among the first 8 to join the project started by the immigrant leaders with the sponsorship of the Northern California coalition for immigrant rights. She met other women who experienced Domestic Violence and faced the same struggles as Domestic Workers. After learning about her rights she knew her mission was to help other women be heard and build collective power together. In 1996 she joined the staff as coordinator of the theater project. Since 2000 she led a workerrun collective she founded with fellow rights champion. She united and organizations women to earn fair wages, secure employment and become leaders in their communities. In 2012 they joined the workers rights program. When she first started it took 8 months to just get a job and she was forced upon her own belongings to help it stay afloat. Today there are more than 100 members. 300,000 per year for members and receives to many job referrals they cant count. They have been on the front of the bill of rights. Winning the first victory in 2013 and then in 2016 granted permanent over time protections for Domestic Workers in california. In 2011 she was selected to represent United States Domestic Workers at the International Labor organization in geneva for the United Nations convention. As the cofounder coalition and national Domestic Workers alliance and a local leader, she has dedicated three decades of her life to improving the lives of immigrants and workers and nurturing the leadership in the struggle for dignity and equity. She is a mother, grandmother. When she can find the spare time a songwriter who enjoys composing songs. In the face of the changing economy where the Worker Protections are threatened, her fight is more important than ever. I am so pleased to have this opportunity to honor you today. Thank you for all that you do. Now talk to us. [applause. ] [speaking spanish]. Thank you everyone and supervisor for this honor. I want to share my story. I never went to school. [speaking spanish]. It really moves me to hear you tell my story because i am a very humble person, and it really touches me. I have spent my life fighting for social justice. [speaking spanish]. I really want to recognize and thank my daughter who is here today, and has a lot of needs. As her mother it is my responsibility and as a latino woman, it is my responsibility to fight for her and the community. [speaking spanish]. I am just hoping that one day my 15 grandchildren can see my legacy and see that all of the effort i put into fighting for social justice and immigrant rights movement, which isnt easy. It is an artform, that they are able to see the fruits of this labor. Speaking spanish]. I really want to thank the Domestic Workers today. This is my job. I am fighting for a working conditions that are dignified, just for this community. [speaking spanish]. I want to thank garcia, who is my mentor and who taught me a lot. You see, i never went to school, so i do my work based on my life experience, based on an immigrants life because there are so many women who come to this country and dont speak the language, but they do have a mission to contribute to their communities. [speaking spanish]. Thank you so much. applause . Supervisor mandelman many thanks for the amazing translation. Next up is supervisor marr, district four. Chair mar thanthank you, president yee and thank you for coordinating this really incredible showcase of talented leaders, inspiring leaders here in the city. I am really superexcited to add from district four, sunset district, and recognize a really inspiring young leader with deep roots in our city who is another really exemplary example of the theme today. Angelica is a sophomore at city college in San Francisco. Her studies are in the areas of sorb ology and american studies. Her dedication has motivated her to follow an educational path to fight for values in her community. Being a mexicanamerican woman is part of her identity she incorporates in her work and dedication to serving others. Angelica is a fourth generation San Francisco native and lived in the sun set her entire life. Her mother was born and raised in sunset and is currently a returning student at city college, while working as a message therapist. I am pleased she is present today as we recognize her incredible daughter. Angelicas years were spent in district four neighborhood schools and thanks to support of teachers she was able to attend lowell high school. During her time she was involved in the Jrotc Program where she acquired a desire to help others in need and began to develop as a leader. In her time at lowell she participated in learning projects from cleanups at ocean beach to teaching a Junior Achievement class at the dye ane feinstein elementary. She has been a strong ally for the lgbq students. She is a worker at the queer resource center. She works for access to technology. While an employee she was one of a handful of Community Members working to implement a food program on campus to address Food Insecurity at City College Students. As advocate for safe errands more accessible bathrooms she is working with various student organizations to ensure the college addresses this need. Currently, angelica is serving the second year as the president of City College Student council at the main campus. For three years she is spending her time for her peers and creating avenues for student voices. Her goal is to achieve transparent between administration, faculty staff and students. Her colleagues are proud to unify people from all backgrounds contributes to her success as a leader in her community. This year i am excited she will serve as the associated students appointee to the Free City College Oversight Committee which this board just created. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do. I know you will do in the future for your peers for city college and for your community. You make me proud to represent the sun set district on the board of supervisors and give me so much hope for the future. Thank you, angelica. [applause. ] thank you. I am very shy. I want to say how honored i am to be standing and be one of the many valuable latin leaders in San Francisco. I want to thank gordon and his office for thinking of me. I often times downgrade myself, but again i want the thank not only my mom or the board of supervisors. I want to shout out to the city college community. A lot of my work and what i do in my community is because of the people who i surround myself and there is a lot of mention of my work for the lgbq community at city college. I learned a lot about the important of intersectionalty and addressing the various over crossing issues that affect people in that community. I am really glad to be able to work to make sure that all voices are heard at city college. Represent lie i also forgot to mention that i was involved in an effort to create spaces for noncredit students to participate in Student Government at city college which is a bigfeet. I want to give a shout out to all of my peers who are not here today. In closing, i want to thank my adviser who is here today. She has been one of my rocks in growing as a ladyder, too, lady leader. Thank you. Then lastly, thank you, mom, for being here. I wouldnt be here today if it wasnt for her. Thank you, molly for being here. You are a rock star within our community. Thank you. [applause. ] next up is supervisor peskin from district three. Supervisor peskin thank you, president yee. Before i start i want to add my words of thanks to supervisor ronen and her staff for doing this and i also want to acknowledge my latin exchief of staff for coming up with the great idea of honoring my honoree from last year, patricia, who is a supporter of the flower market by patronizing and obtaining all of the flowers where i went last evening. Today i am delighted to honor a woman i have long add fired who truly ex emfired the theme of this years latin heritage month who has changed the face of california politics in the last legislative session. That is not an understatement. Sarah was raised by a single mother. She came to the u. S. With her mom and sister at the age of 15 from brazil and attended mission high and later San Francisco state as an undocumented student. She later earned a master from usf and in february of this year was appointed by my former colleague and supervisor reason nans former boss to the San Francisco county Central Committee. This really was a big deal in so far as she became the first dreamer and daca recipient in california to serve on the Central Committee ever in the history of the state of california. [applause. ] that paved the way for our own legislative delegation scott weiner and david chu to move forward the bill 288 to allow dreamers tps and green card owners to run for county Central Committee in the state of california. While that bill did not end up getting out of the California State Senate this year, i know that collectively with sarahs leadership and our work we are going to make it law next year. [applause. ] think about it. Given that lat inex are the Largest Group in california and out number the caucasian population in california for half a decade, we are long overdue to create a pathway for representation. Thanks to sarah, all those in california are one step closer to having a seat at that table. [applause. ] sarah, has cosponsored multiple resolutions addressing social and economic inequities. It is not surprising given her focus at the California Reinvestment Coalition on Financial Inclusion for women and communities of color. Those of you who have had the pleasure of working with her know her to be bubbly and humble, genuine and caring and passionate about the things we care about, Affordable Housing, economic justice, equitable education and the kind of person who is always looking to uplift others. She proudly serve on the board of directors of the Community Resource center and eastern neighborhood cac, organizing for immigrant communities for over a decade. Met with more members of congress than everybody on the board of supervisors combined and has participated in the emerged leadership program. I can go on and on, but sarah you are an inspiration. I hope that someday you run for office. [applause. ] thank you, supervisor peskin and to all of the members. I also want to add that i am the president of the latino democratic club. I am so grateful for this acknowledgment. I am not used to getting awards. I am usually acknowledging the leaders. For me to be here for someone to acknowledge my mom, lieu instilled the passion to help others, to give back to the community. She raised me as a single mother and figured out how to succeed in this country. Because of her hard work and commitment i am able to give back to the community. I want to acknowledge a special friend of mine who when i was looking for Public Policy experience he was there for me and insured that i gain those skills. His name is gabriel medina. I want to thank him and the Latino Community and for your commitment. [cheers and applause] [applause] next up is supervisor stefani from district two. Thank you. I also want to thank supervisor ronen and her aids for organizing this, and congratulation to all the honourees who have