FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 12, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT: SF Public Defender’s Office | PDR-MediaRelations@sfgov.org
***PRESS RELEASE***
SF Public Defender MAGIC Program & City Leaders Celebrate Summer Kickoff for Youth Programs in Fillmore Western Addition
SAN FRANCISCO – Today at Civic Center Plaza, the San Francisco Public Defender’s MAGIC Programs co-hosted its annual Summer Kickoff for youth programs within the Mo’MAGIC Collaborative, located in the Fillmore Western Addition. Bringing together over 500 youth and staff with summer reading gifts, bounce houses, and food trucks to celebrate the start of a magical summer, the Summer Kickoff builds community amongst different summer programs and exposes kids to STEM, art, literacy, and recreational activities.
“We’re so proud that our MAGIC Programs have been creating year-round opportunities for youth to grow, learn, and build stronger communities for the past 20 years,” said San Francisco Public Defender Mano Raju. “Kicking off summer with a day of fun and community-building is an important way to show San Francisco youth and families that their lives and academic success matter to all of us.”
“MAGIC’s Summer Kickoff is one of our largest annual events, and we love to see Civic Center Plaza and the steps of City Hall filled with local youth building friendships in the community,” said Brittany Ford, Executive Director of the MAGIC Programs.
“Summer is a special time of year, a season of opportunity to learn through play, enjoy outdoor activities, and make lasting memories,” said Sheryl Davis, Executive Director of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, and founding Director of Mo’MAGIC. “It is also a critical time for making educational gains, as summer learning loss can erase months, if not years, of student achievement. I am grateful for the MAGIC programs’ continued commitment to creating spaces for young people to learn in a fun and engaging way over the summer months.”
“Mo’MAGIC is an incredible asset serving youth in San Francisco. From the Bayview to the Fillmore, Mo’MAGIC understands how to empower young people and keep them out of violence through their engagement programs and career development opportunities,” said Mayor Breed. “Summer break can be a challenging time to keep youth engaged, and Mo’MAGIC’s Summer Kick Off event delivers joy straight to students and the resources they need as the school year ends to encourage learning over the break.”
“For over three decades, DCYF has been dedicated to funding summer programs at community-based organizations throughout San Francisco that keep our children and youth learning, engaged, safe, healthy, and ready to succeed when school starts again in the fall,” said Dr. Maria Su, Executive Director of the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth, and their Families (DCYF). “Investing in summer programming for children and youth is a wise and worthwhile investment in San Francisco’s future, and we are proud to invest in all of the organizations participating in the Summer Kickoff event.”
“This work doesn’t happen without the hard work of all the organizations that have been a part of the magic over the years,” said James Spingola, the Executive Director of Collective Impact, a community partner of Mo’MAGIC’s summer events that helps to convene service providers and create meaningful and lasting opportunities for Western Addition youth year-round.
MAGIC (Mobilization for Adolescent Growth in our Communities) was founded in 2004 by the late Public Defender Jeff Adachi as B’MAGIC in Bayview Hunters Point in response to a community-identified need to address the impact of trauma, poverty, and violence on youth in targeted districts, and to close the school-to-prison pipeline. It expanded to Mo’MAGIC in the Fillmore Western Addition in 2006. The two programs were consolidated under current Public Defender Mano Raju in 2022 as B’Mo’MAGIC with Brittany Ford as the Executive Director. MAGIC partners with community-based, faith-based, and non-profit organizations, city and county agencies, schools, and other stakeholders to create opportunities for youth to grow and thrive in safe and healthy communities.
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