$30,000 /2012, 2013
San Francisco, California
Neva Walker, Executive Director
Website: www.colemanadvocates.org
One year $30,000 renewal grants in 2012 and 2013 will support Coleman Advocate’s youth-led intergenerational drive for equity, with particular focus on education in San Francisco through the Campaign for College and Career for All. Coleman Advocates plays a lead role in the citywide San Francisco Rising Alliance of low-income and working class communities of color that have identified public education, employment, housing, healthcare, sanctuary and civic engagement as key components of an integrated social change strategy for a just and liveable city. Coleman’s youth organizing work will help increase academic opportunities and support for African American, Latino and Asian & Pacific Islander students, so that all SFUSD students are fully prepared for college, union training or living wage work. Over the last grant period, SFUSD Board of Supervisors, responding to pressure by Coleman and allies, passed a $2.3 million supplemental appropriation for the school district to support the 1,800 students at serious risk of not graduating next year. Coleman also played an important role in the Assembly Education Committee passing of California Assembly Bill AB420 which will restrict the use of “willful defiance” as an offense eligible for out of school suspension. Over the next year Coleman Advocates will continue to organize for the allocation of additional resources for low performing schools, improved academic support, implementation of restorative justice practices, to promote the National Student Bill of Rights, the creation of affordable housing and to contribute to the development of local, regional and national movements for education, economic and racial justice, with low-income youth of color in leadership.