Great news: Thanks to partner strategies, mentorships and increased parent engagement, the graduation rate of John O’Connell High School is now approaching that of SFUSD overall. According to a recently published Mission Promise Neighborhood data brief, “Making College an Achievable Dream: Foundations and Results,” O’Connell’s graduation rate increased from 68 percent to 85 percent between […]

by Early Learning Manager Liz Cortez The Mission Promise Neighborhood, a cradle-to-college, collective-impact initiative, is rolling out an Early Literacy Campaign for families with children ages birth to fifth grade. With only 32 percent of third-grade students and 43 percent of fifth-grade students reaching proficiency in English Language Arts at Mission District schools, there is […]

­­ Christopher Gil Senior Content Marketing Manager Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) (415) 282-3334 ext. 152 cgil@medasf.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 22, 2017 Timely Mission Promise Neighborhood Survey Released Showcases the continued need to strengthen the Mission’s Latino community San Francisco, Calif. — The Mission Promise Neighborhood (MPN) has released a report, “The Story of […]

At crowd-filled Cease & Desist last night, the community came together to Start & Donate at the first of a trio of planned 2017 fundraisers for the Mission Promise Neighborhood Scholarship Fund. This initial event was called “Tips for Tuition.” The result? A terrific start, with $3,000 raised. (Donate on Razoo.) The need The Mission Promise Neighborhood Scholarship […]

The Mission Promise Neighborhood Scholarship Fund started last spring, helping send four deserving John O’Connell High School seniors to college. This scholarship fund is now entering its second year, as we look to send more Mission youth on to postsecondary education. Update #1: Ivonne Villanueva (photo), San Francisco State. (Original story.) What have you been learning at […]

by MEDA Director of Community Real Estate Karoleen Feng Contributed to by MEDA Senior Project Manager Elaine Yee, Mission Promise Neighborhood Program Manager Liz Cortez and MEDA Financial Capability Coach Teresa Garcia Most parents know that finding quality care and education for your child is not easy. For immigrant, working families of the Mission Promise Neighborhood, it’s even […]

Julio Alvarado chose San Francisco’s Mission as his adopted home when he emigrated from Guatemala back in 2000. He felt immediately welcomed in his new community, so much so that when he married and had two kids, the family planted roots in the neighborhood. That comforting sense of place became tenuous when Alvarado and his […]

Luz Bourne-Ruiz is an energetic, single mother of 7-year-old Nathan, who attends Alvarado Elementary School in San Francisco. The immigrant from Mexico operates her own business, the New Alternatives Cafe, a cozy, neighborhood eatery serving breakfast and lunch on Guerrero near 28th. Featuring a convivial environment, there’s even a piano, guitar and congas for musically […]

by Director, Mission Promise Neighborhood Raquel Donoso On a fluke, I attended a Barack Obama rally in Oakland back in 2006. The affable senator from Illinois was not yet running for president, but he drew an impressive crowd. Obama was magnetic. His audience was electrified. I left that day filled with incredible hope. That feeling […]

You’re invited to be a “Part of the Promise” this year, as we collectively work improve the lives of our students. It’s easy. Just donate to a cause in the Mission in lieu of purchasing gifts, or ask your friends and family to make your holiday gift a tax-deductible donation. There are many impactful Mission-based […]