Christopher Gil
Associate Director of Marketing and Communications
Mission Economic Development Agency
(415) 282-3334 ext. 152
cgil@medasf.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2018
Mission Promise Neighborhood Receives $6 Million Two-Year Extension Grant
Five years of collective impact positioned to generate ever-greater results
San Francisco — The U.S. Department of Education has announced that San Francisco’s Mission Promise Neighborhood (MPN) will receive a $6 million extension grant over the next two years.
“The Mission District is one of our City’s most vibrant and rapidly growing areas. Although much of the District is flourishing, the schools are struggling and neighborhoods are underserved. I have great confidence that this Promise Extension Grant will boost educational opportunity for all disadvantaged students living in the Mission, helping them to thrive and succeed,” said Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, who represents District 12, the San Francisco location of the MPN place-based initiative.
During its initial five years, the MPN education initiative’s 20+ invaluable community partners have showcased significant results. For example, John O’Connell High School graduation rates for Latino students increased from 62 percent to 88 percent, while graduation rates for African American students increased from 46 percent to 93 percent. These impressive graduation rates are now outpacing those of San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) overall.
With a model of family economic success translating to student academic success, Mission families have been strengthened by being connected at school to a combination of free services running the gamut from financial coaching and career training to quality health care and access to high-quality early education centers. Stabilizing housing in a neighborhood experiencing gentrification has also been a concern addressed by the community partners.
“We are grateful to the D.C. politicians who pushed forward the legislation to provide much-needed extension funding for Promise Neighborhoods. MPN’s collective impact would not be possible without the combined support of federal, state and local officials, SFUSD, principals, teachers and over 20 Mission District partners developing best practices in creating equity for all of our students to have the opportunity to get to college,” explained MPN Director Richard Raya.
MPN’s joint vision for moving forward is to continue to close the opportunity gap so that all Mission District students have the chance to get to and thrive at college. This extension grant will turn that vision into a reality.
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About Mission Promise Neighborhood
The Mission Promise Neighborhood is a citywide community partnership that was created to support kids and families living, working and attending school in the Mission District. It brings together schools, colleges, community organizations and community leaders to help kids graduate and families achieve financial stability.
missionpromise.org
