State and City Partnerships

ExCEL demonstrates commitment to sustainability through partnership with City and community agencies. We work closely with the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth & Their Families (DCYF) to support the sustainability of ExCEL after school programs.

DCYF creates and facilitates innovative citywide policies and projects in support of children, youth, and families. As a result, children, youth, and families from throughout the City participate in a broad range of programs in the areas of early child care, academic support, health and wellness, youth workforce development, and cultural enrichment. The mission of DCYF is to ensure that families with children are a prominent and valued segment of San Francisco’s social fabric by supporting programs and activities in every San Francisco neighborhood. The DCYF goals, called the Quality of Life Benchmarks, were adopted by the Board of Supervisors and Mayor and spelled out in the San Francisco city charter in 2001:

• Children and youth are healthy
• Children and youth are ready to learn and are succeeding in school
• Children and youth live in safe, supported families
• Children and youth live in safe, supported, and viable communities
• Children and youth contribute to the development and vitality of San Francisco
• San Francisco retains and begins to grow its child, youth, and family population

Please visit the Department of Children, Youth and Families website here: http://www.dcyf.org

The Beacon Centers transform public schools into youth and family centers that become a beacon of activity for the surrounding neighborhood. Drawing on the existing wealth in our communities, Beacon Centers create pathways to lifelong learning through which young people and adults can always find the next challenge or step in their process of learning, growth, and development throughout a lifetime. The Beacon Initiative is a public-private partnership that includes the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth and their Families, the San Francisco Unified School District, community organizations, and local foundations, led by the Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund. Oversight for the Beacon Initiative is provided by the Beacon Steering Committee, which includes representatives of each Stakeholder group.  Each Beacon Center is managed by a non-profit, community-based organization that serves as the lead agency, and has a Director and staff. The lead agency partners with a number of local community and public agencies to offer the activities that occur at each Center. The Centers offer young people a vibrant array of programs focused on five different areas that are important to their future. 

Please visit the San Francisco Beacon Initiative website here: http://www.sfbeacon.org