FAFSA assistance at Scholarmatch

Posted on January 24, 2012 by

High school seniors! Now that your college applications are complete, do you need help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid? Scholarmatch is holding hours for FAFSA help on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 5:30PM, starting Thursday, January 12th, and running through Thursday, March 1st. We’re offering this free service for students who are eligible for free and reduced lunch, and who currently live in the San Francisco Bay Area counties.

Students must e-mail us at generalquestions@scholarmatch.org or call us at 415-652-2766 one day before they plan to come. Help is also available in Spanish for parents or students. They are located at 849 Valencia Street in San Francisco and hold regular office hours Monday-Friday from 12PM-5PM (or by appointment).

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FAFSA Help for High School Seniors!

Posted on January 8, 2012 by

Do you know a high school senior looking for financial aid? This year Mission Graduates and MEDA partnered together to increase the rate of students who are filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Below is the schedule for FAFSA workshops, free for any high school senior from any high school, you will be assisted with filling out your FAFSA and be able ask questions if you’re confused. (The workshops for 1/14,  1/21 and 1/28 are private, but any student from any school may attend the other workshops)

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Recruiting girls, 6th-9th grade, for Girlz Climb On!

Posted on December 31, 2011 by

GirlVentures, a non-profit organization based in the Women’s Building, is currently recruiting girls for their after-school program called Girlz Climb On. This program pairs girls (grades 6-9) with an adult female mentor – they climb, laugh & learn together once a week for ten weeks at Mission Cliffs Climbing Gym (Harrison @ 19th Street). All girls are encouraged to apply (no experience necessary and scholarships are available).

The program begins with a one-day ropes course experience and culminates with a weekend day outing to Castle Rock State Park (where girls get to climb outdoors on real rock). For the ten weeks girls climb one-on-one with their own personal mentor, learning not only climbing skills and techniques but also discovering their strengths and talents through a range of verbal, physical and creative self-expression activities.

Core to our success and unique to GirlVentures is our commitment to bringing together girls from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds. 2/3s of our participants receive financial aid for our courses. Scholarships are offered on a first come, first serve basis – so please apply early. Visit our website for more information and to apply: http://girlventures.org/our-programs/school-year/girlz-climb-on/

Continue reading →

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U.S Census Data results in redrawing district lines

Posted on December 16, 2011 by

Every 10 years, the census counts every resident in the United States. Based on the data,  San Francisco reported 776,733 people in 2000 compared to 805,235 people (a 3.7 percent increase) in 2010.

Census information is used to decide many things including how to redraw district borders. A task force has already been established: San Francisco Redistricting Task Force.

Redrawing district boundaries is a delicate subject since it can alter or shift power in the city. Changing lines may split solidified communities and merge them with others.

Special Project coordinator Carlo De La Cruz (via San Francisco Examiner) further explains, “We’re simply trying to ensure that the voice of our community members are not diluted by lumping them together with other communities that do not share their working-class background.”

Larry Del Carlo, President and CEO of the Mission Housing says that Centro del Pueblo is a non-profit in District 6 that has helped the Mission community in District 9. Around the time of the 2000 U.S Census, district lines were redrawn, separating what he calls “North Mission” (the area around in between Mission & 14th to Mission and 18th) from the rest of the Mission. Carlo says,”We feel like the mission got divided geographically” and points out that District 9 lost 7,000 people as a result of redrawing the District lines.

To follow the progress and participate. Follow the work at The San Francisco Redistricting Task Force.

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Wo/men’s Conference at St. Mary’s College

Posted on December 16, 2011 by

On Saturday, March 3, 2012, 9am-5pm, Saint Mary’s College of California will be hosting The Wo/men’s Conference 2012: Wo/men Engaging in Change.

It is an event that grew out of student interest in learning more about the perspectives, aspirations, and experiences of women in our society, and how women can create social change.

This year’s conference is designed for college students from across the Bay Area and will focus on women’s leadership roles in both personal and public spaces, paying particular attention to the work of women in the political sphere in this presidential election year.

The conference is organized around the celebration of International Women’s Day, which originated at the turn of the twentieth century and is currently celebrated in over 100 countries.

Their use of “Wo/men” developed out of their mission to be an inclusive community. The conference invites women and men to explore the influences of race, class, gender, sexuality, personal identity and social constructs in our society. The conference welcomes students, activists, faculty and community members. Participants: 130 college students from across the Bay Area

Workshops: They are looking for individuals and groups to facilitate 70-minute interactive workshops and 20-minute information sessions.

A Workshop Proposal Form is attached and can also be found on their Conference Website:
http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/events/womens-conference-2012

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Strengthening Families Program

Posted on November 21, 2011 by

Having trouble with your teen? Let the Strengthening Families Program (SFP) help. SFP is an evidence based parenting and family program that involves not just the parents or the child alone but the entire family. SFP has been found to significantly reduce problem behaviors, delinquency, and alcohol and drug abuse in children.

The Program will be held at 944 Market St, steps away from the Powell BART station. Sessions will be held Fridays from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm for 14 consecutive weeks starting mid-January.  Babysitting is available with some limitations. Prizes and incentives will be awarded throughout the 14 weeks, $50 gift cards will be awarded to each graduating family and there is a family meal at every session. To participate families must be: San Francisco residents, willing to commit to a 14-week program and participating youth must be ages 12-16 years old.

If you would like more information please call Pedro at 415-296-9900 for program details. Click here for the program flyer.

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San Francisco November Elections

Posted on November 17, 2011 by

This past Tuesday, about 40% (the lowest voter turnout since 1975) of San Franciscans voted for Mayor and several other propositions on the ballot.

Ed Lee won with roughly 30% of the vote, while John Avalos and Dennis Herrera trailed behind with 18% and 11% respectively. For the first time San Franciscans voted for their mayor in a ranked-choice format.

Proposition results:

Prop A: School Bonds — Passed
Prop B: Road Repaving and Street Safety Bonds — Passed
Prop C: City Pension and Health Care Benefits — Passed
Prop D: City Pension Benefits — Rejected
Prop E: Amending or Repealing Legislative Initiative Ordinances — Rejected
Prop F: Campaign Consultant Ordinance — Rejected
Prop G: Sales Tax — Rejected
Prop H – School District Student Assignment — Passed

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