Upon meeting Josie Padilla-Reyes, it doesn’t take long to realize that you are in the presence of one of the Mission District’s beloved, longtime residents. It’s also clear that SanJalisco restaurant, around over a quarter century, is beloved by Josie’s family and the community. The true strengths of any business venture are longevity and ties…
As part of the Promise Neighborhood grant, the United States Department of Education (DoE) mandates that all Promise Neighborhood grantees administer an annual school climate survey, at their target middle and high schools, to understand the impact of the initiative on students. Findings from the first school climate survey for the Mission Promise Neighborhood are…
The challenges have been many for Karina Acevedo, the doting mother of a son named Chuy, who was diagnosed with autism in his early infant years. Karina’s goal was to have an affordable place she could call home in San Francisco, her beloved city of two decades—a home where she can meet Chuy’s needs. Family Success…
Each month, the Mission Economic Development Agency honors one of its dedicated volunteers—the people who are an integral part of MEDA’s ability to provide free services to low- and moderate-income Bay Area residents. Thanks to all of the selfless MEDA volunteers who choose Plaza Adelante as their second home. Name: Laura Ospina Jaramillo Program: Asset Building Programs…
Guest Blog by Teresa Morales Mission Promise Neighborhood Community Engagement It was an early Thanksgiving feast, Latino-style, held at MEDA’s Plaza Adelante on November 14th, with staff and promotoras sharing a meal. It was time to give a year-end thanks to these amazing community outreach workers, the six women who began working with MEDA and…
When Jean came to MEDA as a tax volunteer, she never expected it would be so personally rewarding . . . and fun. Jean found MEDA an inspiring place doing great work in the community, so she went home each day after volunteering being grateful for the opportunity to finally pay it forward. Jean’s story…
The subject of affordable housing or, more specifically, the lack thereof in San Francisco, was front and center last night at Bloomberg’s Pier 3 offices on the Embarcadero, with a crowd in the hundreds attending. A panel comprising Chief Economist Jed Kolko of Trulia, Jeff Buckley, who is Senior Advisor on Housing to Mayor Ed…
Growing up in San Francisco’s Mission District, MEDA’s Director of Evaluation Carolina Guzman saw a Latino neighborhood built upon waves of immigration from Central America and Mexico. Despite a continuous influx of new residents, there was a constancy to the community’s flavor. This is now in question. “Things are changing too fast, with the Mission’s…
CFED’s recent blog on how financial coaching leads to long-term stability prompted MEDA staff to reflect on the nonprofit’s own work in that area. Financial coaching meets families where they are, focuses on financial goals set by the families and provides ongoing support through a one-on-one relationship with a coach. This approach–used broadly in the health, wellness…
The journey It’s a long journey from growing up with limited opportunities in an impoverished, small town in Mexico to opening your own restaurant in the trendy, foodie-filled Bay Area. That’s the inspiring story of Victor Caicero, an immigrant who came to the United States with a dream that is now a reality for this…
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