My experience at somcan

Hello, My name is  Jennifer, but   Everyone calls me jen or jenny. Working at Somcan has been an ama- zing experience.I met great people, and that’s how I met  Jayson, and Angela, k, and Alvin, but I knew him already from school. I learned a lot not  just about the Government, And its injustice, but also how to respect my peers, and I learned how be a leader. I wouldn’t trade my Experience for a million dollars, It was all worth it. Somacan made me a different person. I would like to thank everyone at somcan especially to MAi, for being such a great person, and all my peers and MOM and sister.

Youth Commission Meeting

Hi, my name is Jayson. And I’m a youth leader from SOMCAN. I’m here to talk about the previous youth commission meetings.This meeting is very important because it supported the campaign and we know that the youth commission has our side, thanks to Cory Carlson.Cory Carlson is one of the youth commissioner for SOMA. He submitted the issue to the commission and they wrote a resolution.

A lot of the youth, adults and the families came to this meeting. Also, Steve showed up to the first meeting, then Phil showed up to the next one. Steve and Phil are the guys that are changing the Rec Center. A lot of the people there was really supportive. They all are passionate about the issue.

A lot of the people participated and talked in the public comment part of the meeting. A lot of adults and kids spoke, including me. When I was up there I said that this latchkey program would not benefit anyone. It will just be waste of the space and money and time.

Thats what basically happened in the meetings but there will be more in the future. Long Live Rec Center!!!!

NOV. 2nd, DIA DE LOS MUERTOS:DEATH OF A COMMUNITY SPACE

WE DEMAND:

1. Ensure that SoMa youth ages 17 and under are able to freely access the Rec Center, especially during the hours of 2-6pm on weekdays, all year round.

2. Provide adequate staffing during peak hours, whether through the Rec & Park Department or through community-based organizations, especially those who serve SoMa’s low-income community, for both the Rec Center and Victoria Manalo Draves Park. Ensure staff reflects the culture and people of the community.

3. Regularly maintain and improve the restrooms and other shared facilities at SoMa Rec Center and Victoria Manalo Draves Park as well as ensure the park is open, clean and accessible to Bessie Carmichael Elementary.

4. Require Rec & Parks to participate in collaborative efforts with SoMa CBOs, such as attending the monthly CBO meetings at Bessie Carmichael School and allow community based organizations to use the facility for free, especially CBO’s that serve low-income residents. In doing so, this would eliminate the evictions of organizations currently using the space.

5. Implement a community-based decision-making process that includes ALL members of the SoMa, including families, seniors, youth, and community-based organizations.