DCYF Director Dr. Maria Su Condemns Racist Vandalism at Youth 1st Site

Our beloved grantee Youth 1st, an organization that has been a cornerstone of our community for nearly a quarter of a century, has been the target of a vile act of racist vandalism. The hateful racial slurs that defaced their walls were not just an attack on a building — they were an attack on the values that we hold dear in San Francisco.

Youth 1st is dedicated to improving the quality of life for young people in San Francisco. Their programs serve nearly 100 children in kindergarten to 8th grade during the school year and in the summer. They offer a unique curriculum that goes beyond traditional out of school time programming. They provide literacy, STEM, and art programs, culinary experiences, and even activities like boxing, karate, skateboarding, and meditation. These programs are designed to nurture, empower, and transform our youth, helping them become both self-reliant and engaged members of their families, schools, and communities.

Youth 1st offers so much more than after school and summer programming: they are a true community convener. Last month, the Mayor, District Attorney Jenkins, Supervisor Safai, and many members of my staff were at the playground at the Youth 1st site, along with a hundred joyful children, youth, and families, attending the annual OMI Lakeview Family Day. Near the wall where those hateful marks were left on the building, Youth 1st distributed well over 1,000 free lunches and snacks to children and youth this summer, and starting on Tuesday, they will distribute free afterschool snacks and suppers. In the building that was defaced today, Youth 1st opened their doors during the worst of the pandemic, offering a safe place for youth to attend school remotely, to receive free meals and other services, and to be in community with each other.

Organizations like Youth 1st are the heart of San Francisco, and we are committed to ensuring that this wonderful organization can continue its mission without fear.

We condemn this despicable act and offer our unwavering support to Youth 1st, its dedicated staff and volunteers, and the children, youth, and families they serve.

In these trying times, it is more important than ever to come together as a community, to support one another, and to reject hate in all its forms. San Francisco will not be defined by the actions of a few, but by our collective commitment to inclusion, equality, and the well-being of all our residents, especially our children, youth, and families.