District 9

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April 2021
Read past newsletters here.
Sign up for the District 9 Newsletter here.

Support for Public School Families, Small Businesses, the Asian American Community, Vaccine News, and More

Dear Neighbors,

It has been little over a year since COVID-19 hit our communities. We have worked tirelessly— to test and vaccinate our communities, to house our homeless neighbors so they can properly isolate and quarantine, to take care of our essential workers when they get sick, and to reopen our schools. It has been nonstop exhausting work, but we are finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

More than 70% of San Franciscans over 18 have gotten the vaccine thus far. We are seeing lower infection rates, we are now vaccinating people 16 and over, many elementary schools are open, and I am hopeful that we can reach yellow tier next week. I got vaccinated at one of the Mission community sites, and the happiness I felt was indescribable. There is still much work to do to rebuild—to get our small businesses back on their feet, to catch our kids up in school, and so much more. I hope we can breathe a collective sigh of relief soon— and we can rebuild together, arm in arm, no longer in isolation.

In this newsletter, I will give you the latest updates on:

District 9 Budget Townhall
Support for Public School Students and Families
Keeping Unhoused Residents Safe
Vaccine Sites in the Mission
Small Business Support
Stopping Anti-Asian Violence and Safety in the Portola
Woolsey Greenhouses
New La Fénix Affordable Housing
Caravana por los Niños / Caravan for the Children
Garfield Pool Reopening
Looking for Cantonese Speaking Volunteers for Food Lines
Honoring Police Commissioner Petra DeJesus

Please sign up at https://myturn.ca.gov/ and get the vaccine as soon as you’re eligible, and remember to continue to stay at home as much as possible, protect yourself and others by wearing a mask correctly, practice physical distancing, and wash your hands frequently.

My office may not be in City Hall these days, but we are still here for you. We are available by email: ronenstaff@sfgov.org or by phone at 415-554-5144 (leave a message, and we will call you back-- we are checking voicemail frequently). Check for updates on my Twitter and Facebook.

District 9 Budget Townahll

It’s budget season again! District 9 residents: Get to know how the budget process works, what the timeline is, how to participate, and ask any questions on the budget process. Join me and Budget Chair Matt Haney on Monday, May 3, at 6:30pm. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/d9budget

Support for Public School Students and Families

Summer Together

This summer, for the first time ever, San Francisco will offer over 20,000 placements in free summer programs for SFUSD students!

Since February, I have partnered with my colleagues Supervisors Connie Chan, Myrna Melgar, and Matt Haney to significantly expand the number of summer opportunities available to SFUSD students in order to help families overcome the impacts of learning loss and social isolation that so many students endured after more than a year of school closures.

I chaired the first ever Board of Supervisors Youth, Young Adult, and Families Committee meeting where city departments shared program details about how families could enroll. You can watch the committee meeting here.

My staff and I have been tabling at food banks and affordable housing sites at Alemany, Holly Courts, and Valencia Gardens to sign up eligible families for these critical programs. Lots of excited SFUSD parents were ready to get their kids out of the house, active, and learning.

There will be 20,000+ spots for SFUSD students in all grades at a variety of in-person summer learning camps and academic programs across the city. Priority SFUSD families (e.g., residents of public housing and SROs, families experiencing homelessness, low income families) are able to begin registering for placements starting on May 5, and open registration for all other families will begin on May 8.

For more information and to sign-up, go to: https://www.dcyf.org/summertogether https://sfrecpark.org/1563/Summer-Together-2021 SFUSD families- fill out the form today!

RISE Workgroup

The Students & Families RISE (Recovery with Inclusive and Successful Enrichment) initiative will work to secure necessary resources for our public school children into the academic year and onwards. The Board recently appointed an exceptional panel of 11 education experts and stakeholders that will begin developing a data-driven plan to support the recovery and revitalization of our public schools. RISE has three primary goals:

Get every SFUSD student to grade-level proficiency in core academic subjects
Increase SFUSD enrollment to stem the negative impacts of family out-migration during distance learning and the COVID pandemic
Create full-scale enrichment programs at every school site - arts, music, sports, libraries. We must nurture the full minds and bodies of students in our schools.

City College

I have also joined Supervisor Gordon Mar, AFT 2121, and City College Trustees and administration in an effort to help stabilize City College of San Francisco, which is facing deep cuts to its faculty and course offerings. Preserving City College’s workforce and professional development programs will be critical to providing San Franciscans impacted by COVID-19 with reliable pathways to job opportunities and financial stability. It will also bolster San Francisco’s long-term economic recovery by training and filling the city’s most urgent workforce needs across multiple key sectors as our economy continues on a path towards reopening.

Keeping Unhoused Residents Safe

Hopeful news! The Mayor has appointed Shireen McSpadden to head the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing . Shireen brings more than 30 years of experience in providing services and support to vulnerable San Franciscans, most recently as the Director of the Department of Disability and Aging Services. Her compassion, deep experience, and dedication are just what is needed to make real change to the crisis on our streets.

The Department of Homelessness recently launched new tools for both unhoused and housed constituents to respond to homelessness.

How to access HSH or City services: designed for individuals and families on the brink of, or currently experiencing homelessness
How to get involved: a call to action for our sheltered neighbors wanting to engage with HSH and our nonprofit partners

Vaccination Sites in the Mission

There are now two vaccination sites in the Mission - focusing on getting shots in arms in the hardest-hit neighborhood in the City. Unidos en Salud, a partnership of University of California San Francisco and the Latino Task Force on COVID-19 that just celebrated its one-year anniversary of life-saving work for the community, has been operating the site at 24th Street & Treat since February and opened a new site at 18th & Shotwell in mid-April.

For appointments, please stop by in person at :
24th & Mission, Wed.- Sun. 9 am - 2 pm;
701 Alabama Street Mon., Wed., Thurs., 10 am - 3 pm

Residents can also email LatinoTaskForceSF@gmail.com to request an appointment. For other sites throughout the city, go to https://sf.gov/vaccine-sites.

Helping Small Businesses

Suspending Fines for Graffiti

Earlier this month, the Board unanimously passed my legislation to suspend citations and fines for graffiti on private property.

Neighborhood merchants are struggling to stay afloat during shutdowns, to adjust to quickly shifting guidelines and practices, and to creatively promote new ways of doing business in outdoor spaces. It is demoralizing for the City to force merchants to take on the work of cleaning up after vandals or face fees and penalties.

I am ready to work with city departments and my colleagues on the Board to find constructive ways to deal with graffiti rather than expecting our small businesses -- the victims in these cases -- to shoulder the burden. I want to see us invest and incentivize art and murals, which we know deter graffiti. We should expand and continue the OEWD/Yerba Buena Center for the Arts "Paint the Void" and Creative Corps programs to fund muralists to paint on empty storefronts.

San Franciscans have really stepped up to shop local and help keep beloved neighborhood businesses alive. Now is the time to walk that talk and make sure we at the City are making it easier for small businesses to keep going.

Small Business Rent Debt

I had commissioned a report at the end of last year to understand the scope of rent debt saddling commercial tenants in San Francisco. The data were stark: for the small businesses we depend on every day for services and goods -- the employers of tens of thousands of San Franciscans – the estimate is that retail and restaurants in the city owe between $200 and $400 million, far beyond what the City could possibly backfill. The latest news on small business relief from Washington is promising and brings much hope. During the City’s budget process, the Board will be considering how best to apply our local resources, including more legal support for lease negotiations. I am working on a plan now to help revive vacant corridors by relieving small businesses of the fees that they face on launching a new business. Stay tuned for updates.

Helping Massage Businesses

For years, massage businesses have struggled to open and survive in San Francisco because of expensive permitting requirements and unnecessarily restrictive regulations. COVID-19 has further devastated these essential local businesses, many of which now face an uncertain future.

I introduced legislation to make it easier for massage practitioners to open new establishments wherever health services, such as acupuncture and chiropractic care, are allowed to operate. With these common-sense reforms, we will be able to support the gradual return and long-term success of massage businesses and health services in San Francisco!

Lyon- Martin Health Services and Flowercraft join Legacy Businesses Registry

This month, two beloved and long-lived District 9 businesses were approved to join the Legacy Business registry.

Lyon-Martin Health Services, at 1735 Mission, was founded in 1979 to provide accessible medical services for lesbians and soon became a model for culturally sensitive community-based health care. LMHS is a unique and life-saving resource for a community that has been the target of horrific discrimination and violence and a vital asset for the queer and trans communities of San Francisco.

Flowercraft Garden Center, at 550 Bayshore Boulevard, has a unique and vibrant history with deep roots in San Francisco. The founder of Flowercraft Garden Center, Philip Lerner, now in his eighties, opened the business 45 years ago. In addition to supplying District 9 and surrounding neighborhoods with everything under the sun for home gardening, Flowercraft hosts free horticultural workshops and donates frequently to local nonprofits and schools, including City of Dreams, Homeless Prenatal Program, Drag Queen Bingo.

Solidarity with the Asian American Community & Safety in the Portola

We are horrified and disgusted by the racist attacks against Asian Americans, from Atlanta to locally in the Bay Area. I stand in solidarity with the victims and with the Asian American community at large. You can donate to SF Asian American victims here.

SFPD Bayview Captain Maron has increased patrols in the Portola, which has a large Chinese population. We are thankful for this proactive step in keeping people safe in their neighborhoods.

In addition, the new Coalition for Community Safety and Justice -- a partnership of Community Youth Center and Street Violence Intervention Program -- are walking San Bruno Avenue twice a week to serve as safety liaisons for Portola residents and merchants, providing culturally and linguistically competent victim support services while building cross-racial solidarity.

The Portola Neighborhood Association is conducting a community safety survey Please use the links below to give feedback.
English: https://forms.gle/oModnRfLeHMsxabEA
中文: https://forms.gle/4hZwzA51EEVNEJFT9
Tiếng Việt: https://forms.gle/got2h6mvC2rgFG246
Español: https://forms.gle/WebVn7Uk3azUXzWz7

Portola Greenhouses

Friends of 770 Woolsey is a group dedicated to celebrating and uplifting the Portola’s identity as San Francisco's Garden District. They have focused on creating an urban farm and learning center at the historic greenhouses at 770 Woolsey Street. Over the past few years, I’ve been working with them and the property owners - L37 Partners -- to reach common ground.

There’s now a signed and sealed agreement!

Friends of 770 Woolsey has two years to purchase all or part of the property. If they are unable to raise the money, L37 will restore two of the greenhouses and the boiler building for public use and build townhouses on the remaining land. Either way, the neighborhood wins and residents get a chance to realize their dream.

New Affordable Homes at La Fénix

This month, I got to celebrate with community and city partners the ribbon-cutting grand opening of La Fénix . What a win when we can take an underused public lot and create 155 new deeply affordable homes, including 40 units for formerly homeless families. On the ground floor, there’ll be new forever spaces for a childcare run by Mission Neighborhood Centers, Acción Latina art studios and gallery, and PODER bike repair shop. The design is brilliant, with a rooftop community space and a playground. Congratulations to Mission Housing, Bridge, the Mission community, and so many others who made this possible. And to the families moving in, welcome home to La Fénix!

Caravana por los Niños / Caravan for the Children

I took a quick weekend trip with President Shamann Walton, Supervisor Matt Haney, and San Francisco Latinx leaders of the Caravana por los Niños / Caravan for the Children. We visited the San Diego detention center where more than 1,000 unaccompanied minors are being held and crossed the border to witness the refugee encampment in Tijuana. We brought clothing, supplies, PPE, and our solidarity and support. We must uncage, reunify, and heal!

Garfield Pool Reopening

The Garfield Pool and Clubhouse have been closed and under construction for more than two years. At long last, the work is done. Rec & Park treated me to a sneak preview, and it truly is the most amazing redesign and upgrade. The pool is gorgeous, and the space that will serve as a new community learning hub is beautiful. Opening day to welcome back Garfield swimmers is May 15. Grab your towel!

Looking for Cantonese Speaking Volunteers for Food Lines

The Mission Food Hub, Faith in Action, and HOMEY have been distributing groceries in the Mission for over a year. My aide Jennifer Li has been helping out with language and cultural competency at these sites, but more help is needed to meet the ever-growing need, specifically to serve the mostly elderly Chinese American community that goes to the food sites. If you speak Cantonese and would like to volunteer or know someone who is interested, please email Jennifer.li-d9@sfgov.org.

Honoring Police Commissioner Petra DeJesus

With unanimous co-sponsorship of my colleagues on the Board, I introduced a resolution declaring April 21, 2021, to be Petra DeJesus Day in the City and County of San Francisco in honor of her fifteen years of extraordinary and game-changing leadership on the Police Commission.

During her tenure on the Commission, Petra has been a consistently progressive driver of new policies to promote police accountability, civic engagement, constitutional policing, and individual rights. She has been the leading voice on the Commission on use of force policy, prioritizing the sanctity of life and setting clear guidance on officer-involved shootings, including strict constraints on firing at moving vehicles, the carotid chokehold, and most recently -- in the aftermath of the heinous murder of George Floyd -- the use of knees on a person's back or body parts on a person’s neck.

Commissioner DeJesus has been unafraid to speak truth to power or to be a minority voice on the Commission when she knows that she is right. She deserves to be recognized for her bravery and persistence in pushing for meaningful reform and for persisting despite attacks and intimidation.

I am proud that Petra is a District 9 constituent and my Bernal neighbor, and I was honored to be able to thank her publicly for her tremendous contributions to public safety, for fighting for human dignity and life, and for her long-lasting impact on policing and justice in San Francisco. I think we can honestly say that there has never been a better, more intentional, more impactful member of the Police Commission.

Resources and Announcements

Rental Assistance Programs
The Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development is currently finalizing a multi-lingual online application and guidelines for a community-based program that will target assistance to the most vulnerable tenants. The City is planning to launch this program in May.

The State of California is operating a separate rental-assistance program. To learn more about the State's Emergency Rental Assistance Program, visit HousingIsKey.com. For more information, click here.

You can also call the State's CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Call Center at 833-430-2122 for assistance and to check eligibility.

SF Bike & Roll Week
May 10 - 14, 2021, City-wide
Bike & Roll Week, organized by the SF Bicycle Coalition as part of the Safe Routes to School Partnership led by the SFMTA, is for students city-wide to celebrate getting around under their own power. Whether you’re on a bike, scooter, wheelchair, or skateboard, it’s healthy, green, and FUN. Walking counts too! There’s also an all-ages art contest and resources for P.E. teachers. Check out all the awesome activities and exciting prizes at sfbike.org/bikeandrollsf.

Traffic Court Citation Discounts
MyCitations—a new online tool for people with low incomes or who receive public benefits to request a significant discount (up to 80% or more!) on their traffic court citations. This discount can be worth hundreds of dollars. Using the MyCitations tool, people can look up their traffic citations online, answer a series of simple questions about their eligibility, and submit a request for a discount of 80% or more on their traffic court fines and fees. The MyCitations tool can also be used to request a payment plan, more time to pay, or community service. Using MyCitations can also save people an in-person trip to San Francisco Traffic Court.

New BMR Announcement: The Lofton at 495 Cambridge
1 two-bedroom home priced at $472,506 with parking, and 6 three-bedroom homes priced at $532,720 with parking in the Excelsior! Applications due June 7th, and completion on first time homebuyer education is required prior to applying. I am attaching the flyers in this email so that you can inform your constituents. Please be sure to include this in your upcoming newsletter, and any other digital outreach your office is doing during these times. Click here for more information.

SFMTA Fare Help
When times are tough, even paying for the bus can be a challenge. During times like these, the SFMTA has programs to help get you where you need to go, like Free Muni for Youth, Seniors, and People with Disabilities, the Lifeline and Clipper START reduced fare program.

Essential Worker Ride Home: SF Environment the SFCTA (SF Environment and SF County Transportation Agency) launched a program to help essential workers commuting home late at night and don't have a reliable transit option. Click here for more.

COVID-19 Eviction and Rent Increase Moratoriums – Emergency tenant protections, including more time to pay your rent, suspension of evictions during the pandemic, and a rent freeze in City-subsidized housing.

General Resources

SF Pit Stop and and Handwashing Stations
SF Food Resources
Help for SF small business owners, workers, and non-profits
Visit the SF Coronavirus Main Page here.
Information for the eviction and rent increase moratorium here.
SF Domestic and family violence resources
SF COVID-19 Data Tracker

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Got an upcoming event or opportunity to include in this newsletter? Email Jennifer.Li-D9@sfgov.org

Our mailing address is:
Hillary Ronen, District 9 Supervisor
San Francisco City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244
San Francisco, CA 94102-4689

This email was sent by: City and County of San Francisco
1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Place, San Francisco, California, 94102 United States

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Term

Elected November 8, 2016 for term January 8, 2017 to January 8, 2021
Elected November 3, 2020 for term January 8, 2021 to January 8, 2025

Board and Committee Assignments

Member, Board of Supervisors
Chair, Joint City, School, and City College Select Committee
Member, San Francisco County Transportation Authority
Commissioner, Metropolitan Transportation Commission

Contact Info

City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244
San Francisco, Ca 94102-4689

(415) 554-5144 - voice
(415) 554-6255 - fax

Support Local Businesses

It is my great honor to represent the Portola Neighborhood in City Hall. Check out the incredible local businesses profiled in this video and please support them. If you don't live in the Portola, come check out this neighborhood, slightly off the beaten path. It is San Francisco's historic Garden District and offers a variety of incredible cuisine and even has its very own local brewery.

https://youtu.be/YPzheuEH4Uk

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District 9

Support for Public School Families, Small Businesses, the Asian American Community, Vaccine News, and More

District 9 Budget Townahll