San Francisco launches Summer Together program to support youth engagement and learning

The San Francisco County government meeting held on July 4, 2025, focused on summer programming initiatives aimed at supporting youth in the community. The discussion highlighted the collaborative efforts of various organizations, including Youth First, Icy, and IT Bookman, to enhance summer opportunities for families and children, particularly in the Levy Ward and OMAI Lakeview areas.

Director Hsu presented the "Summer Together" initiative, which was developed during the pandemic to foster partnerships among city departments, the school district, and community-based organizations (CBOs). This program has successfully served between 25,000 to 30,000 children annually, providing a range of activities from academic support to creative arts and sports.

The meeting emphasized the importance of integrating academic components into summer programs to address learning loss experienced during the pandemic. Director Hsu noted that many summer offerings will include opportunities for students to catch up on literacy and math while also engaging in physical activities and healthy eating.

Additionally, the department has conducted a two-week summer learning conference to equip nonprofit providers and city employees with strategies to effectively engage youth and incorporate science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) into summer activities.

The meeting concluded with a call for continued collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure that San Francisco's youth have access to enriching summer experiences. For more information on available programs, residents are encouraged to visit the Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families website.