Through funding from the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families, and in association with Mission Graduates, the initiative will triple the number of San Francisco students it serves annually.

SAN FRANCISCO (March 9, 2021)JCCSF Citywide, an initiative—in association with Mission Graduates—that brings high-quality enrichment programming to children throughout San Francisco regardless of the ability to pay – has expanded to serve more than 600 students across five public elementary schools in the Mission District.

Through funding provided by an afterschool grant from the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families (DCYF), the JCCSF is expanding its scope to add two arts educators to teach arts instruction classes in addition to the physical activity classes including sports and dance. The expansion tripled the number of students JCCSF Citywide serves annually.

“The expansion of JCCSF Citywide will help to ensure that children across San Francisco—especially underserved communities— have direct access to free, high-quality arts education, and we are proud to provide it beyond the walls of the JCCSF,” said Paul Geduldig, CEO of the JCCSF. “We have a long-standing commitment to programs that strengthen families, and we’ve seen firsthand how integral the arts are to creating positive outcomes for students.”

Through the remainder of the San Francisco Unified School District spring term, JCCSF Citywide will provide two sessions of art instruction per week to Alvarado Elementary, Bessie Carmichael Elementary School, Cleveland Elementary, Flynn Elementary, and Thomas Edison Charter Academy. The semester will culminate in a special showcase at the JCCSF, where participants will have the opportunity to share their work with their peers, families and the community.

“Coming out of this pandemic, the City is doing everything it can to help our kids and give them the support and experiences they need to thrive,” said Dr. Maria Su, Executive Director of DCYF. “Partnerships like JCCSF Citywide are essential to making sure that all children – regardless of whether or not they have resources – have equitable access to the incredible programming the JCCSF provides.”

“JCCSF Citywide provides an enriching outlet for our kindergarten through second grade students to use their imagination and release their energy at the end of the day,” says Kijana Best, Mission Graduates Assistant Program Director at Thomas Edison Charter Academy Extended Day Program. “Our Mission Graduates Extended Day Program is very intentional in searching for new, fresh, and creative learning opportunities for our students to dive into. With the new arts instructors on-site, the students arrive after the final school bell excited to explore their creativity.”

For over 30 years, the JCCSF has served San Francisco youth and their families through arts-focused afterschool programming at 3200 California Street, in addition to its award-winning preschools, camps, sports leagues, swim classes and a dance program. JCCSF Citywide launched in 2015, in association with Mission Graduates, a non-profit organization dedicated to establishing a college education as an expectation and goal for every child. JCCSF Citywide has provided high-quality physical activity classes—like sports and dance, taught by talented dance and movement instructors to public schools in the Mission. While the JCCSF still holds its on-site youth programs, newly appointed Chief Program Officer, Family Life, Katie Quinn, worked to allocate funding from DCYF to expand JCCSF Citywide in the Mission, in order to extend the reach and meet the needs of students throughout the City.

About the JCCSF

Urban and inclusive, the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco enriches, educates, and celebrates this vibrant City and its people. The JCCSF explores Jewish culture and traditions as a pathway for joyful, meaningful living. In creating a community that welcomes everyone, the JCCSF uses the power of gathering together to share, inspire, support and restore.

Through an array of in-person and online programs and experiences, audiences can enjoy an appearance by renowned performers and cultural icons, as well as to spirited holiday celebrations, and interactive pop-ups inspired by Jewish culture. The Fitness Center supports wellness through exceptional trainers and a daily lineup of classes including yoga, Pilates, and tai chi. Preschoolers discover the vital early love of learning at one of the three exceptional schools, and year-round, the JCCSF enriches the lives of youngsters of all ages and whole families.

Media Contact: Jami Miskie | Vice President of Marketing | 415.378.8527 | jmiskie@jccsf.org