Thousands of youth in San Francisco put in harms way - City Leaders and Schools to blame.

The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) this year would have laid off hundreds of teachers but for a Rainy Day fund - initiated by Tom Ammiano who spend years teaching in the SFUSD system - legislated this "rainy day fund " - in case there was an emergency.

The sad state of economic crisis prevailing in the State of California - with little money going to schools that come under the jurisdiction State of California - such as the San Francisco Unified School District - is pathetic.

The City and County of San Francisco bears NO direct responsibility - but in a good faith effort the City has agreed to bail out the SFUSD this time around. The City itself is over $800 million in the hole.

The City and County of San Francisco has itself laid off hundreds - from the Recreation Department, the Health Department, other vital City Departments.

Many of the lay offs affect the youth and children.

Four years ago two Recreational Facilities the Joseph Lee Gym and the Boys and Girls Club at Kiska road in the Bayview Hunters Point were shut. Both, at the same time. For years there was no Safe Haven for the youth in the Bayview Hunters Point that went to these Recreational Facilities.

In the Interim hundreds of youth were rounded up especially during the the Summers following the closure of the two main Recreation Facilities.

No one had the sense to report this blatant crime on the part of policy makers. The Main Media did not report it. I did on IndyMedia.

Hundreds of youth landed in the Juvenile System - and over sixty percent of these youth - are now serving long term prison sentences. Where is the justice? Where is fair play?

This is a crime crying to heaven for justice. The City and County of San Francisco and especially the San Francisco Board of Supervisors have no clue. One Michela Alioto-Pier - who is an air-head could not care less.

Sophie Maxwell the District 10 Supervisor has no clue and does not really care for the youth. If she did she could visit the Juvenile System and review and adjudicate the issues first hand.
Her District is a mess - and the woman seems to be living on a Planet far from reality.

Ross Mirkarimi talks a fine talk - but it is time he walk the walk.

As to Mayor Gavin Newsom - this man "with intent" has set in place a "program" to fast tract - gentrification. He is for the developers and is in bed with Lennar. Lennar will take him down. Lennar is drowning in a cesspool. The man at the center of this CESSPOOL - Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Listen to me dude - or forever hold your peace. You will be a fool if you do not separate yourself from Lennar and the evil forces that surround you - and tell you that Lennar is worthy of some dubious cause that will never, ever come to fruition. We will meet you in Palm Springs!

Bevan Dufty will pretend to talk about issues pertaining to the SF Unified School District. Review his comments and it is all shallow talk. He follows what ever Gavin Newsom says - and is first in line - to be acting Mayor of San Francisco while the Gavin Newsom panders all over the place - vying to be the next Governor of California. Making a FOOL of himself.

The SF Juvenile Systems has a new building - but the leadership has been very poor.

The Probation Officers have used the system to fake "disability" - and the youth incarcerated - suffer daily.

Bill Sifferman and Nance were brought here from Chicago - both men have seen the Juvenile System in San Francisco go down the drain. The recent Budget Cuts - have forced the Juvenile System - to lay offs people and cut of funds to vital programs and Community Based Organizations - many helped the Juvenile - incarcerated.

The San Francisco Unified School District is suffering from thousands of parents leaving San Francisco. These decent familie - once they leave San Francisco - will never, ever return. NO sound investigation has been done on this issue.

Many of the schools run by the SF Unified School District have very poor facilities. One has just to inspect the play grounds and related facilities. Inspect the lockers and the toilets - and you will see the mess for yourself.

Many students do not have books and many more cannot afford the bear necessities - that should help them to learn and be educated. And all this in San Francisco.

Some businesses help but more could not care less. The plan to have a Chief Executive Officer act as principal of a school for a day - is a very good idea.

Elections among the students in all the High Schools under the SFUSD is poor.

Some school like Lowell seem to have a system of sorts - sending more candidates to vie for Student Positions to represent the students and have a meaningful say - for all the schools.

Other SFUSD high schools are lagging and no one seems to care about this "critical situation".

We must encourage and empower students to take a role in the running and representation of their respective school but more all of the San Francisco Unified School District - and related issues.

The Gang Injuction was first initiated in the Oakdale Public Housing area. Later it was initiated in the Mission District and the Western Addition.

The City and County of San Francisco - wasted millions created a Task Force of City Attorneys - collecting "NUISANCE" - cases - for five years.

I challenge the City to create a Task Force and go after White Collar Crimes and the Pacific Heights Mafia. The policies of these crooks that take place behind close doors in Room 200 - have adversely impacted - thousands of innocent youth in San Francisco.

Let us have the names of the Developers that have made deals in Room 200 at City Hall?

Years ago Supervisor Angela Alioto helped create the Youth Commission. The Youth Commission has the responsibility of "representing" the youth.

Many of the Youth Commissioners mean well - but on major issues linked to youth and other important polices and factors - they seem not to be "educated" on.

It is imperative that the Youth Commission - take on Mayor Gavin Newsom. Hold his feet to the fire. Brain-storm with the dude and make him - understand what the youth desire to make a better life. Address Quality of Life issues. Transportation, Health, Safety, Education, Safe Havens, the Economy, Housing, and so on.

Do not pander to the Mayor who has NO clue about the suffering of the youth all over San Francisco.

If the SF Mayor cared - he would not endorse "Gang Injunctions", the closure of many programs in the Recreation Department linked to children and youth, the Mayor would not mess with the SF Department of Health.

One has just to go the Public Health Clinics and the SF General Hospital to see the long lines. More the poor service - in recent months - because of the firing of front line health nurses and workers - that have for years worked hard and provided a quality service.

The teachers both from the Private and Public School must get together and address the chronic situation facing the youth of San Francisco. Our children in San Francisco are hurting and if one takes the time to talk to them - you will feel the hurt.

These children and youth are very smart and I have been inter-acting with youth for the last forty years all over the world and here in the Bay Area.

I have never, ever seen a more chronic situation - lack of facilities, lack of personnel support, lack of understanding, more incarceration - of youth.

Parents because of lack of jobs and the worst economic crisis since World War II - that have children are forced to endure extreme hardship.

I meet many students that do not have the basic things that they should have. Some of them I can help - but it hurts me that I cannot do - more.

Students in our high schools are hurting - but what is more Middle School students.

The City and County of San Francisco has made things worse - by cutting off services linked to SAFE HAVENS - and related programs by Community Based Organizations that provided a useful service. This time around their funding has been cut.

While many adults and especially Politicians run their mouths, speak from both sides of their mouth, often uttering nonsense because many of them do not take the time and the pains to - listen to the youth.

You have many adults - making policies that are evil - because if they really know what is happening to the youth - they would NOT enforce the policies they do.

It is time for the youth to discern and take matters in their hands - especially the youth in the High Schools.

High School students in the Private Schools - should thank their blessings but look after the youth in the SF Unified School District. It is time to come together - and bridge the divide.

It is the "divide" created by those that use to have a lot - pitting those that have a little - that has caused the "lack of a moral compass" and utter selfishness.

Leaders that have not paid attention to this important issue - must be ashamed of themselves.

This present Economic Crisis that came about because of Adults and their Greed - has decimated many programs and institutions linked to the betterment of children and youth.

When families have no money and food - children and youth suffer the most. Some of the youth understand - but many cannot fathom this economic crisis that will be with us for a couple of years.

This article touches on some basic points and it meant to force the students and youth of San Francisco to work together - and come out with a plan. Do not wait for the drab - adults.

Discuss about it on Face Book and Twitter - may be MySpace and the current digital levels of information.

We have some selfish adults and mainly politicians that have ruined the lives of thousands. That includes Law Enforcement that thinks that armed with a gun they can bring about change - well, strong force and undue force - will bring about more hurt and destruction. That is well known in holistic circles. You cannot bring the devil around and make him understand this - concept.

Good Leaders know the way - show the way - and go the way. Any takers .......


Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy