As Labor Day 2014 is upon us, MEDA wants to celebrate a true employment success story: that of Edwin Gonzales (photo left), who came to the U.S. from El Salvador just four years ago with the goal of seeking better opportunities. Edwin’s life has sure changed since the first day over a year ago when…
The stacks of paper are piled even higher than usual on Max Moy-Borgen’s desk today, his phone buried beneath pages emblazoned with years from the early George W. Bush years. It seems the MEDA Tax Services Program Manager is busy doing a client’s taxes way back to the year 2000. Moy-Borgen enlisted Tax Volunteer Granger…
When I consider how the Promise Neighborhoods Institute at PolicyLink (PNI) does its work with the 50+ communities in our network, I think about how we have developed the national infrastructure for improving the educational and development outcomes for the poorest children in America. PNI has developed a disciplined approach to thinking and moving from…
A sweet eight-year-old approached a volunteer from Target, the awaiting youngster being handed the first of 2,000 free backpacks the company had generously donated to Mission District schoolchildren. The child’s face was aglow as she rifled through the supplies in the backpack–her backpack. “Gracias. Thank you,” the grateful child sheepishly stated, cognizant that she was…
After a productive 2014 tax season–with almost 3,400 clients served at no charge and more than $5.3 million in refunds garnered–MEDA’s seemingly tireless Free Tax Preparation staff and 120 volunteers were a bit worn down. Unfortunately, so were some of the tax department computers. Action was needed to get these laptops refurbished for the reminder of…
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: Alex Surdilla Program: Development and Marketing Why…
It’s a long way from working-class roots as the daughter of a maintenance man in Oklahoma City to becoming a Harvard Law School professor and now a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts who is beloved by progressives. Elizabeth Warren’s success story is laudable, plus her championing the message of economic prosperity for all Americans is welcomed…
El Mercadito, located on the first level on the right-hand side of Plaza Adelante, serves as an incubator for microbusinesses started by MEDA clients. There are currently six small businesses in the Mission District El Mercadito, plus a cozy Peruvian eatery in Plaza Adelante’s paseo. There is even a new Tenderloin El Mercadito, which currently…
The definition of a mentor is an “experienced and trusted advisor.” The definition of success is “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” Put these two terms together and a powerful San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) program called Mentoring for Success means that there are currently 620 schoolchildren in the city being afforded a…
The “Second City” announced a first-rate move this week: starting September 2nd, each of the approximately 400,000 children enrolled in 652 Chicago public schools will get a free meal each school day. It doesn’t matter if you live at a tony address on the North Side or in an underserved community in the south or…
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