History
The story of the San Francisco Beacon Initiative is one of intense collaboration among a large number of public and private funders, community based organizations, schools, and communities. SFBI began over twenty years ago, when a group of visionary San Franciscans came together to form a planning committee to examine community school models from across the country. They were inspired by the very successful New York City Beacon school sites and imagined vibrant buildings open past instructional hours that would serve as hubs for enriching activities, expanding learning, and community building. They returned to San Francisco with the determination to capitalize on the underutilized value of school sites and subsequently the first Beacon Center opened in 1996. Over the next few years, Beacon Centers spread across San Francisco and were in 8 priority neighborhoods, and now expanded to 27 in 2018. Learn more about the 2018 expansion process below.
To hear more about the past, present, and future of the Beacon Initiative, watch this short video featuring three Beacon pioneers:
Beacon Expansion Process
The Right Time to Plan:
In the spring of 2016, our key funders, San Francisco’s Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF), and the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) asked us to consider an expanded vision of the Beacon and its reach.
This call for growth and change was a result of evolving demographics in San Francisco and shifts in how youth and families are selecting schools. Our neighborhood-based approach no longer seemed like the best way to reach those who could most benefit from Beacons. Our funders also valued the successful community schools-based model the Beacon Centers brought to their partner schools and communities.
The Results of Our Work:
After dozens of focus groups, interviews, steering committee retreats, funder meetings, and rigorous data analysis, we have identified a model for expanding the Beacon’s reach and impact that has equity as a primary focus. The Beacons will focus on targeting investment in the highest need Elementary and K-8 Schools and expand to all Middle Schools in SFUSD, growing the model.
How Things Are Going - 4th Year (2021-2022)
The 27 Beacon Centers are entering their 4th year of the extended six year funding cycle. Year 3 was a test of adaptability, flexibility and value. As the Beacon Centers were solidifying their programs, services, and integrating with their schools seamlessly, the COVID-19 pandemic hit midyear and briefly halted that work due to shelter in place. The unknown of when to have in-person programs created an opportunity for the centers to shift and be fluid in the way they served their youth and families. Beacon Centers and the staff readily responded to the needs of youth and families by making wellness calls, providing food and technology, and even fundraising to support their economic needs. They also altered their lesson plans and classes by providing them virtually, and all Beacon lead agencies supported distance learning in DCYF’s Community Hubs. The Beacon Centers rapid response to tackling the unprecedented demonstrated how invaluable they are to serving the youth and families of San Francisco.
Year 4 of the Beacon Centers will show more resilience as schools start to reopen, as well as strength in being able to take on any obstacles that may get in their way. This year Beacon Centers will continue to build on their programs and continue supporting their schools, as well as further develop their youth leadership components.