Mission Youth Technology Center
The "Youth Technology Center" will serve the need of the Mission Community between the ages of 14 and 21 by providing basic computer and multimedia training and tutoring and mentoring. This center will be located at Arriba Juntos, a San Francisco non-profit in the Mission, and is scheduled to open on December 4, 2003.
The SFHCC objective is to provide Hispanics with better tools to effectively compete in the marketplace. To achieve this objective we are partnering with other agencies. We are developing programs to make resources available by providing access to computers and software, career data, and referring individuals to job and vocational training programs. The SFHCC has established strategic alliances with Arriba Juntos, local, state, and federal entities to create facilities where our programs can be offered.
Using our strategic alliances with the California and United States Department of Labor, we will strive to educate youth about the apprenticeship programs available at no cost and to become a referral source to those agencies providing free vocational training in their selected field. Each facility will also offer programs to support small business owners to include small business accounting programs. Certain facilities will provide media development, parenting workshops, and literacy programs.
According to the Nielsen Media Research Universe Estimates for 2002/2003 Season, Bay Area Hispanics between the ages of 12-17 represent 25.3% of the future Bay Area labor force within the next 4-9 years. This percentage continues to grow and within the next 10-15 years, Bay Area Hispanics will equate to 31.4% of the labor force.
San Francisco has been faced with the growing issue of youth between the ages of 14-21 not completing high school not being found marketable for today's work force, eventually becoming burdens to the city. This has created a cycle where youth are choosing gangs or not being able to secure jobs since they are in and out of the legal system. Currently, no one has responded with a solution of this magnitude. The SFHCC will work with several partners to create an easy-to-use on-stop shop to help disadvantaged youth and adults with the comprehensive programs and resources.
The opportunity we have before us is to ensure our youth are competitive in the job market. We encourage the business community to become more socially responsible to encourage and provide education for our youth to ensure their success to become better employees, managers, and business owners.
Arriba Juntos has been selected as the Partner facility since their mission is aligned with that of the SFHCC. The mission of Arriba Juntos is to promote economic self-sufficiency for San Franciscans and their families through occupational training and employment opportunities. While the name literary means "Upward Together" in Spanish, to the many thousands of clients that the agency has served over the years, the name stands for an opportunity to reach one's full occupational potential, become self-sufficient, and help build a strong community. Arriba Juntos has been located in the heart of the Mission District since its birth in 1965. Arriba Juntos' facility also houses YoSF! and Casa De Las Madres and currently has complimentary programs for youth between the ages of 14-21.