State and countywide budget deficits have led some cities to further scrutinize social programs — or outright reduce their funding levels— but a recent federal grant could help South City keep its equity services afloat without the concern over the fiscal impacts.
The city was one of 20 jurisdictions nationwide to receive the National League of Cities grant, which funds programs focused on upward mobility, such as workforce development, housing security or health care coverage. Redwood City received a National League of Cities grant last year.
James Coleman
The $20,000 grant may not be able to fund an entire social equity program, but it does boost the city’s existing Promotores initiative, which helps connect South City residents with core services. The program, run from the Economic Advancement Center, was a byproduct of the city’s Racial and Social Equity Commission, formed several years ago and helps connect individuals and families to services they may be unaware of.
“Staff go to various neighborhoods, knock on doors and say ‘Here is a food bank, here is our rental assistance program.’ Or, if you’re out of job, ‘Here’s our economic advancement training center for job training,’” Mayor James Coleman said. “This grant will support the work Promotores program.”
The grant organization also provides coaching to cities on how best to direct funds and maximize outreach efforts.
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While it’s not uncommon for cities to apply for and receive grant funding for such initiatives, Coleman said South San Francisco’s numerous master plans — detailed documents outlining goals and policy around a specific communitywide topic — have been developed around child care, climate change and other pertinent issues, signaling to state and federal agencies that the city is committed to bridging much-needed resource gaps. That makes it a competitive candidate for such funding.
The city piloted the area’s first guaranteed income program in 2021 using American Rescue Act Plan funds, and it is also one of the only cities in the region to offer such substantial child care subsidies from its own pocket, largely generated from developer impact fees as a result of its expansive life science presence.
About half of the city’s residents do not speak English at home. One-third identify as Hispanic and over 40% are Asian, according to 2020 census data.
“Some folks are just uncomfortable reaching out to local governments, or they have never done it before,” Coleman said. “So we are going to meet people where they are at.”
If 1/2 the residents in So SF don't speak English at home, then then $20,000 would be better used teaching these immigrants English so they can assimilate, be successful and give back.
The mayor is just adding to the dependency population by reaching out and burning through even more taxpayer funding. I don't see anything in his listing of programs that would encourage these folks to join the rest of us and become at least functional English speakers. That would likely make them less reluctant to ask for assistance. But, the mayor seems to prefer a permanent underclass that will strengthen his political ambitions.
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(2) comments
If 1/2 the residents in So SF don't speak English at home, then then $20,000 would be better used teaching these immigrants English so they can assimilate, be successful and give back.
The mayor is just adding to the dependency population by reaching out and burning through even more taxpayer funding. I don't see anything in his listing of programs that would encourage these folks to join the rest of us and become at least functional English speakers. That would likely make them less reluctant to ask for assistance. But, the mayor seems to prefer a permanent underclass that will strengthen his political ambitions.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
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PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
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