On October 17, 2018, Mayor London N. Breed announced the launch of Opportunities for All, a program to address economic inequality by ensuring that all young people can be a part of San Francisco’s thriving economy. The initiative will serve thousands of high school-aged youth who are ready and interested in working, as well as provide opportunities for another 1,000 youth who might need additional support, as part of Mayor Breed’s efforts to provide paid internships for youth in San Francisco.

Opportunities for All will connect young people to employment, training and post-secondary opportunities. The City, through the Department of Children, Youth and their Families and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, has committed to increasing job opportunities across existing programs by 2,000 positions and creating an additional 1,000 opportunities for new programming focused on addressing gaps in skills and opportunities.

As part of Opportunities for All, youth will work an average of four weeks and earn $15 per hour for up to 20 hours a week, receive mentorship, and visit local businesses to help them identify careers of interest and begin to plan for their future. Opportunities for All will build on existing work-based learning programs and funding. Across the globe, work-based programs are celebrated for preparing young people for work, keeping them engaged in school and promoting self-efficacy.

Opportunities for All will work with the San Francisco Unified School District, Office of Economic and Workforce Development and the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families to align efforts and recruit youth participants. This initiative will also develop a framework where non-profit service providers and employers have shared understanding and language around work expectations for youth, track youth progress, and provide tools that help youth plan for their future.

The Japanese Community Youth Council will serve as the fiscal sponsor for Opportunities for All and work with a diverse network of youth providers, city departments, employers and the San Francisco Unified School District to help ensure that sustainable employment pipeline is being built to achieve economic inclusion for all young people in San Francisco. The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce has committed to help recruit and train mentors, identify jobs and partners who can provide site visits and job shadowing opportunities. San Francisco is currently seeking an additional $2 million in governmental and philanthropic support as well as additional funding, jobs and mentors from the private sector.

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