Single mother Ana Alfaro made the difficult decision to leave her native Guatemala with her son, Jose, with the hope of a better life for her small family. The transition proved traumatic for Jose; this was coupled with a speech impediment that led to the monolingual Spanish-speaking adolescent having a hard time fitting in with fellow students…
De De Tillman is a friendly woman, with an energetic gift of gab that keeps you hanging on every word. “I am a second cousin to Aretha Franklin. I’ve never met her though, and I can’t sing,” she starts off upon meeting her. De De (photo left) has been coming to MEDA’s Plaza Adelante, the…
by Christi Baker MEDA Director of Asset Building Programs The national background “America Saves Week,” a national event that started yesterday, is coordinated by America Saves and the American Savings Education Council. Now in its ninth year, this is an annual opportunity for organizations to promote good savings behavior and a chance for individuals to assess their own…
In December 2012, MEDA worked with city agencies and 26 neighborhood partners to be the honored recipient of a $30-million federal Department of Education grant to replicate New York’s successful Harlem Children’s Zone in the Mission District of San Francisco. The goal of the Mission Promise Neighborhood (MPN) is to guide students on a cradle-to-college-to-career…
At 24 years of age, Jordan Wood was lacking direction. After all, summoning up the fortitude to better one’s life is no easy task when you come from an underserved community. Jordan was referred to MEDA by Goodwill. Initially, the young man had little knowledge of the booming tech sector in the Bay Area, as…
The current situation “Living at Vida means you live in a richly diverse neighborhood with immediate access to . . . locally owned businesses. Living at Vida means you are part of a vibrant community.” These words jump off the pages of a brightly colored brochure touting sales for expensive residences at a 114-unit, gleaming…
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…
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