HOPE SF Partners with SFUSD to Ensure all Students Can Learn at Home

Family at Hunters View

After receiving an announcement that schools would be closed for an extended period of time, HOPE SF resident leaders and partners from government, non-profit organizations, and housing developers came together to ensure that students would have computers and connection to WiFi to participate in distance learning.

“A week ago, families had no idea how they were going to get computers for their children. Parents were worried their children would fall behind in school. After receiving laptops on Monday, families were so appreciative, and I was inspired to see all our partners activated in such a short period of time. This crisis has become an opportunity to accelerate resources and learning for our children and youth.” said Tia Hicks, HOPE SF Policy Director for Community Education.

“This crisis has become an opportunity to accelerate resources and learning for our children and youth.”

Supervisor Walton distributes Laptops with Resident Leaders at Sunnydale

On Monday, March 30, HOPE SF resident leaders, 12 community-based organizations, and 50 volunteers joined efforts with the San Francisco Unified School District, and together, they reached out to thousands of households and distributed over 400 laptops and 700 books—and it all came together in just 24 hours. This is just one example of how HOPE SF, which has always been organized as a resident-led, multi-partner initiative, has the infrastructure to be ready and responsive during this crisis.

“In this moment of unprecedented crisis, we understand more than ever how important it is to be well organized, nimble, and responsive, and we couldn’t have accomplished this without the support of all our partners. Thank you for ensuring that residents are heard and seen,” said Theo Miller, Director of HOPE SF.

“We understand more than ever how important it is to be well organized, nimble, and responsive, and we couldn’t have accomplished this without the support of all our partners.”

Uzuri Pease-Greene at Potrero Hill

Theo and his staff have been holding check-in calls three times per week for each HOPE SF community, including about 20-50 participants. It’s become an efficient platform to exchange updates and information, address questions, and take immediate action on opportunities, like distributing laptops to students.

Now that kids and families are not able to go to school, the schools need to come to them—to distribute technology, meals, engage with students, and answer questions. HOPE SF’s established community partnerships and key points of contact, like the Education Liaison, are lifting up student and family needs and facilitating meaningful connections between schools and families. We are excited about community engagement models that are taking shape, such as Principal Hilinski of Bret Harte, who will be onsite in the Alice Griffith community with Education Liaison, Kevin Williams one day a week to support students and families. Betty Canton-Self, Education Liaison in Potrero, said, “We have a great opportunity to use this moment to think long term about how we engage families and educate students.”

“We have a great opportunity to use this moment to think long term about how we engage families and educate students.”

Please join us in continuing to learn what it takes to be responsive in a way that centers the communities that are too often overlooked or last in line for equitable and responsive care, especially in times of crisis.

Make a donation to help provide emergency supports, like emergency rent payments, food, and household supplies to residents. Visit the San Francisco Foundation donation page and select “HOPE SF” from the dropdown menu.

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