---
title: Community Members Gather for District 11 Excelsior Family Summit
canonical: https://sanfranciscofeed.com/community-members-gather-for-district-11-excelsior-family-summit/
published: '2026-11-12T11:45:01-08:00'
updated: '2026-11-12T11:45:01-08:00'
author: SanFranciscoFeed Staff
section: City Hall
tags:
- Excelsior
- Housing
- Schools
- Public Health
- Festivals
- Homelessness
source: City and County of San Francisco
source_url: https://www.sf.gov/news-summary-of-district-11-excelsior-family-summit
publisher: SanFranciscoFeed
attribution: Copyright SanFranciscoFeed. Quote with credit to SanFranciscoFeed and a link to the canonical URL above.
---

# Community Members Gather for District 11 Excelsior Family Summit

On October 29, 2026, youth, young adults, families, and community members convened at Islais Place for the District 11 Excelsior Family Summit. Participants discussed their values, challenges, and hopes regarding growing up and raising families in San Francisco. The summit focused on topics such as health, education, and neighborhood safety, with attendees sharing their experiences and aspirations for the future.

---

### Press Release: City and County of San Francisco

*Published October 29, 2026. Reproduced in full from the [City and County of San Francisco](https://www.sf.gov/news-summary-of-district-11-excelsior-family-summit).*

#### Summary of District 11 Excelsior Family Summit

[Our Children Our Families Initiative](https://www.sf.gov/department-ocofi/)

Youth, young adults, families, and community members gathered at Islais Place for the District 11 Excelsior Family Summit to share what they value about growing up, raising families and living in San Francisco, what is working, what is challenging, and what they hope for the future.

#### Key Takeaways of What We Heard:

District 11 Excelsior Family Summit participants explored the topics of Health, School, and Neighborhood through group activities, facilitated discussions and individual reflections.

- **The Excelsior's cultural diversity, working-class roots and strong community connections are sources of pride.** Participants celebrated the neighborhood's rich cultural heritage, local businesses, community-based organizations, parks and libraries. They valued the relationships that connect generations and cultures, while emphasizing the importance of preserving the neighborhood's identity and ensuring that longtime residents and families can continue to call it home.
- **Families and young people need greater access to affordable, culturally responsive educational opportunities and support.** Participants praised dedicated educators, language immersion programs, ethnic studies, school wellness centers and community-based youth programs. At the same time, they raised concerns about staffing shortages, limited childcare and afterschool availability, school safety, and unequal access to resources. They called for stronger investments in educators, youth leadership, enrichment and pathways to college and employment.
- **Mental health and emotional well-being require sustained investment, trusted relationships and culturally relevant services.** Participants described the growing emotional pressures on children, youth, families and educators, including grief, financial stress, bullying and fears surrounding immigration enforcement. They emphasized the need for accessible counseling, trusted adults, school-based wellness services and community spaces where people can seek support without stigma.
- **Neighborhood safety, accessible public spaces and opportunities to gather are essential to community well-being.** Participants appreciated the Excelsior's parks, transit connections, street fairs and neighborhood events, but raised concerns about speeding vehicles, pedestrian safety, harassment, illegal dumping and insufficient indoor gathering spaces for youth and seniors. They called for safer streets, stronger neighborhood maintenance and more free, welcoming places where residents can connect.
- **Affordability and equitable neighborhood investment are central to the Excelsior's future.** Rising housing, childcare, food and healthcare costs are placing pressure on working families, young people and multigenerational households. Participants highlighted the challenges of caring for aging family members, limited neighborhood-based senior services, the loss of local businesses and the need for more youth employment opportunities. They called on the City to prioritize investment in District 11, strengthen support for families and caregivers, expand access to resources and ensure residents have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their community.

Thank you to the young adults, families and community members who joined us and generously shared their stories, experiences and hopes for SF. We are especially grateful for your honesty, your trust and your willingness to speak truth to power.

The OCOFI team is grateful to District 11 Supervisor Chyanne Chen, Department of Public Health Director Daniel Tsai and Dr. Martin Escandon, Clarity Social Research Group, and our colleagues from DCYF, SFUSD, RPD, and Mayor’s Office who helped make the District 11 Excelsior Family Summit possible. Special thanks to Islais Place, Bridge Housing, Brighthaven Communities, Urban YMCA, Livable City, Little Skillet Catering and Pupuseria Metapán for helping us create a welcoming space where families could participate, connect and be heard.

#### In Your Words: A Closer Look at What Participants Shared

**What Participants Value About San Francisco and Their Community**

We heard participants describe San Francisco as a city shaped by cultural diversity, community organizing, neighborhood pride and opportunities to connect across generations. They celebrated the Excelsior's working-class identity, its Filipino and Latino communities, neighborhood businesses, accessible public transportation and proximity to parks and open spaces.

One participant reflected on the city's possibilities for newcomers: “You can make it as an immigrant here. You can really be who you want to be here and build your dream. But it is harder to do that now.” Others spoke about the importance of community organizations, cultural programming and schools that help families maintain their identities while building connections with others. Participants highlighted the Excelsior Branch Library, McLaren Park, Crocker Amazon, Hummingbird Farm and neighborhood events as places that strengthen community life. They appreciated street fairs and night markets that bring residents together, as well as everyday acts of generosity among neighbors, including sharing food and produce.

Yet this pride was accompanied by concern about the neighborhood's changing character. Participants described the closure of beloved restaurants, vacant storefronts, the difficulty of welcoming new neighbors and the growing challenge of remaining in San Francisco as housing costs rise. One participant captured the importance of belonging and connection with a simple reflection: “Our pride of being from San Francisco. If you find someone else that's from the city you automatically connect.” Throughout the conversations, participants expressed a desire to preserve the Excelsior as a place where working families, immigrants, young people and longtime residents can continue to build their lives together.

**Early Childhood, Schools and Support for Families**

We heard families and young people recognize the strengths of San Francisco's public schools, dedicated teachers, language immersion programs and culturally responsive educational opportunities. Participants highlighted Filipino language and cultural programming, the Filipino Community Center, the College Room and Wellness Center at Balboa High School, and community-based programs that connect learning with students' lived experiences. They also described how ethnic studies, youth leadership programs and culturally relevant afterschool activities help young people develop confidence, belonging and a stronger understanding of their communities.

At the same time, participants raised concerns about unequal access to educational resources, insufficient staffing, bullying, limited special education support and the loss of teachers and counselors. Some students described school bathrooms being inaccessible, wellness spaces closing when staff were overwhelmed and limited opportunities to enroll in classes outside designated academic pathways.

Working families described long childcare waitlists, expensive preschool, school schedules that conflict with work hours and too few affordable before- and afterschool programs. One participant called for a more integrated approach: “We need to think holistically about youth from the beginning of the day to the end.” Participants also expressed concern about newcomer families who need coordinated support with language access, housing, employment, healthcare and navigating school systems. They encouraged stronger collaboration among SFUSD, City departments and community-based organizations.

Participants also described the fear and uncertainty children from immigrant families are experiencing amid immigration enforcement activities. They emphasized the importance of culturally responsive programs that create safe spaces for young people to express their emotions, understand their experiences and find support through trusted adults and community organizations.

Looking toward the future, participants called for more funding for teachers and paraprofessionals, expanded ethnic studies, stronger student leadership, affordable enrichment programs, and additional paid internships and career pathways. They emphasized the importance of listening to young people and creating educational environments that respond to their needs beyond academic performance. A D11 participant reinforced this message: “The strength of our city is determined by how we treat children, youth, and families. Invest in them from childcare to summer camps. This is a workforce issue too!”

**Neighborhood Safety, Public Spaces and Community Connection**

We heard participants appreciate the Excelsior's walkable neighborhoods, accessible public transit, parks, libraries and community gatherings. Night markets, festivals and neighborhood celebrations were described as opportunities for families to spend time together, build relationships and strengthen their sense of belonging.

Participants also identified challenges that affect their everyday experiences of safety. These included speeding vehicles along Mission Street, Alemany Boulevard and Geneva Avenue, unsafe pedestrian crossings, vehicle break-ins, street racing, illegal dumping and insufficient lighting. Some parents described harassment directed at their children, while others expressed concerns about young women feeling unsafe on public transportation.

Participants called for stronger traffic enforcement, improved crosswalks and sidewalks, more street lighting, safer bicycle routes and better neighborhood maintenance. They also expressed differing views on policing and community safety, with some emphasizing enforcement and others advocating for prevention, community organizing and more investments in youth and family support.

The need for accessible gathering spaces emerged repeatedly. Participants described a shortage of free indoor places where young people and seniors can spend time, particularly outside school hours or during colder weather. One participant suggested: “Turn the old Walgreen's into a youth activation space. We can do Zumba there and other things.” Others proposed additional community gardens, public art, neighborhood festivals, recreational activities and opportunities for residents to participate in emergency preparedness. One participant emphasized the importance of accessible recreation: “More indoor and outdoor space in D11. Free, public accessible spaces for indoor basketball, table tennis, dance, music, Zumba, etc.”

Across the discussions, participants connected neighborhood safety not only to infrastructure and enforcement but also to relationships, public investment and opportunities for residents to know and support one another.

**Healthcare, Mental Health and Everyday Well-Being**

We heard participants value San Francisco's parks, public health resources, community clinics and organizations that help families access food, healthcare and emotional support. Participants described outdoor spaces as important not only for physical activity but also for mental health, family connection and relief from crowded living conditions. One participant reflected: “Growing up in SF, we didn't have a backyard. We had a cramped living area. I told my kids our backyard is the ocean and the front yard is golden gate park.”

Despite these strengths, participants described barriers to affordable and timely healthcare, including rising insurance costs, limited appointment availability, overcrowded emergency rooms, insufficient reproductive healthcare services and difficulty accessing specialized mental health care.

Participants also called for more inclusive recreational opportunities, accessible playgrounds and free community programs for young people with disabilities.

Mental health and emotional well-being were particularly significant concerns. Participants described grief, bullying, social media pressures, fear of immigration enforcement and the emotional burdens young people carry while navigating family and financial challenges. They emphasized the need for schools and community organizations to have sufficient resources to respond with care, consistency and cultural understanding. One participant encouraged a broader understanding of wellness, suggesting: “Instead of ‘mental health’ may we consider ‘emotional well-being.’”

Participants identified a shortage of neighborhood-based senior services in District 11, including culturally and linguistically responsive care, language assistance for Chinese seniors, accessible transportation and opportunities for social connection. Some residents must travel to Chinatown, the Sunset, SOMA or Bayview to access services that meet their needs. Participants called for expanded paratransit, more accessible gathering spaces, senior programming and greater protection against financial scams.

Participants also highlighted the growing responsibilities of caring for aging family members, particularly for those in the sandwich generation balancing the needs of children and older relatives. They expressed concern about the limited support available to family caregivers, including those caring for adults with ongoing mental health and other support needs who may not qualify for intensive services. These conversations underscored the importance of a more coordinated, culturally responsive approach to supporting seniors, caregivers and families across generations.

Participants called for expanded school-based health and wellness services, culturally affirming counseling, trusted-adult relationships and accessible community-based mental health programs. They also emphasized the importance of reducing stigma, improving awareness of available resources and providing services outside traditional school and business hours.

Participants advocated for affordable, healthy food options, a neighborhood farmers market, more community gardens and opportunities for children and families to learn about nutrition and cooking. They also raised concerns about the growing cost and privatization of youth sports and recreational facilities, emphasizing the importance of preserving equitable access to public spaces and physical activities.

**Housing, Affordability and Pathways to Opportunity**

We heard participants describe the financial pressures facing families who want to remain in San Francisco. Housing costs, childcare expenses, food prices and limited economic opportunities were recurring concerns, particularly for working families, immigrants and young adults.

Participants described multigenerational households sharing limited living space, students working while attending school and children thinking about employment at increasingly young ages to help support their families. Another participant discussed how high rents force families to share housing and described the challenges of securing housing: “Finding something affordable and dignified. There are a lot of barriers attached to the rent, need a credit report, need multiple months rent, need to have a job.”

These financial pressures extended beyond housing. Participants described the challenges of affording childcare, enrichment programs and other opportunities that support children's development and family well-being. They emphasized that rising costs can limit participation in community life, even for families who are working and earning an income.

Participants also highlighted the need for stronger financial literacy education, paid internships, mentorship and workforce development opportunities. They called for partnerships with local businesses so that young people could gain work experience and earn income without having to leave their neighborhoods. One participant emphasized the importance of keeping opportunities close to home: “More youth engagement opportunities, local internships, local jobs so that young people don't need to leave.”

Across these conversations, participants called for affordable housing, stronger neighborhood services, equitable access to employment and educational opportunities, and policies that recognize the financial realities of families who are working hard to remain in San Francisco.

**Looking Toward San Francisco's Future**

We heard participants envision a San Francisco that invests more equitably in its neighborhoods, values community knowledge and ensures that children, youth and families have the resources they need to thrive.

For District 11, this meant preserving the Excelsior's cultural identity and working-class character while expanding access to safe public spaces, affordable housing, quality schools, healthcare and economic opportunities. Participants expressed concern that neighborhoods outside the City's major commercial and tourist destinations do not always receive the same attention or investment. One participant offered a clear recommendation: “Every dollar invested downtown, there should be a dollar invested here in the neighborhood.”

Participants called for greater transparency in City budgeting, more opportunities for participatory decision-making and stronger collaboration among City departments, schools and community organizations. They emphasized that access to services depends not only on their availability, but also on how effectively information reaches families. Recommendations included culturally and linguistically responsive outreach, better coordination of existing resources and opportunities for young people to help connect their peers and families to available programs.

Participants also emphasized the importance of youth voice, community-based solutions and investing in organizations that have established trust with residents. They encouraged City leaders to recognize the expertise of people who live and work in District 11 and to involve them in decisions affecting their neighborhoods.

A participant's reflection captured the importance of sustaining these relationships: “The folks raising our community need to be taken care of.” Another participant expressed the broader desire for a City that remains responsive to its residents: “This district is slept on. People who live here love it.” The message throughout the summit was one of pride, urgency and possibility. Participants want the Excelsior to remain a neighborhood where families can afford to live, young people can see a future for themselves, seniors can age with dignity and community members have a meaningful voice in shaping the City's priorities.

**What Comes Next**

All of the information collected at the [Family Summits](https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/this-is-your-city-family-summit-series-4860178/) and through the [Citywide Family Survey](https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8928705/Citywide-Survey-2026) will be incorporated into the Citywide Community Needs Assessment being conducted by the [Our Children, Our Families Initiative](https://www.sf.gov/department-ocofi). The initiative is a new partnership between 13 city departments and the school district to improve services and results for SF’s children, youth, families and transitional aged young adults. Summaries will be posted after each summit and the full needs assessment will be published in June 2027.

#### Partner agencies

[Children, Youth and their Families](https://www.sf.gov/departments--children-youth-and-their-families/)

[Department of Early Childhood](https://www.sf.gov/department-san-francisco-department-of-early-childhood/)

[Homelessness and Supportive Housing](https://www.sf.gov/departments--homelessness-and-supportive-housing/)

[Department of Public Health](https://www.sf.gov/departments--department-public-health/)

[Behavioral Health](https://www.sf.gov/departments--department-public-health--behavioral-health/)

[Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health](https://www.sf.gov/departments--department-public-health--maternal-child-and-adolescent-health/)

[Department on the Status of Women](https://www.sf.gov/department-department-on-the-status-of-women/)

[Human Rights Commission](https://www.sf.gov/departments--human-rights-commission/)

[Human Services Agency](https://www.sf.gov/departments--human-services-agency/)

[Juvenile Probation Department](https://www.sf.gov/departments--juvenile-probation-department/)

[Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development](https://www.sf.gov/departments--mayors-office-housing-and-community-development/)

[Office of Economic and Workforce Development](https://www.sf.gov/departments--office-economic-and-workforce-development/)

[Treasurer & Tax Collector](https://www.sf.gov/departments--treasurer-tax-collector/)

[SF Library](https://www.sf.gov/departments--sf-library/)

[Recreation and Park Department](https://www.sf.gov/departments--recreation-and-park-department/)

[SF Unified School District](https://www.sf.gov/departments--sf-unified-school-district/)

[District 11 Supervisor Chyanne Chen](https://www.sf.gov/district-11-supervisor-chyanne-chen/)

Source: [City and County of San Francisco](https://www.sf.gov/news-summary-of-district-11-excelsior-family-summit)