Frequently Asked Questions

Learn about the SF Beacon Initiative, our Workforce Development efforts, and how we can connect or collaborate.

  • The San Francisco Beacon Initiative (SFBI) is a backbone organization with the goal of creating a sustainable system of community schools in San Francisco and beyond. SFBI does this by facilitating network-wide programming and support that empowers the youth development workforce within community schools.

  • “Community schools represent a place-based school improvement strategy in which ‘schools partner with community agencies and local governments to provide an integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement.’ Many operate year-round, from morning to evening, and serve both children and adults. Although the approach is appropriate for students of all backgrounds, many community schools serve neighborhoods where poverty and racism erect barriers to learning, and where families have few resources to supplement what typical schools provide.”

    Source: Learning Policy Institute

  • Beacons are a model of implementing community schools that emphasize four program areas: family partnership and engagement, behavioral health and wellness, school transitions and expanded learning. Beacon centers are located on SFUSD campuses, are integrated into their school infrastructure, and run before, during, and after school programming.

  • There are 27 Beacon Community Schools located at 11 elementary, 13 middle school, and three K-8 SFUSD schools. Following the community school model, each Beacon exists at a SFUSD site and is managed by a Community Based Organization (CBOs) that is already integrated into the community. As of 2023 there are 13 CBOs that run the Beacon Programs:

    Bay Area Community Resources (A.P. Giannini, Bret Harte, Herbert Hoover, Paul Revere)

    Bayview Hunters Point YMCA (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School)

    Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (George Washington Carver Elementary, Malcolm X Academy)

    Buchanan YMCA (Dr. William Cobb, John Muir)

    Community Youth Center of San Francisco (Aptos Middle School)

    Good Samaritan Family Resource Center (Willie Brown)

    Jamestown Community Center (Buena Vista Horace Mann, Cesar Chavez, James Lick)

    Mission Graduates (Bessie Carmichael, Bryant, Mission Beacon Center at Everett Middle School, Flynn, Sanchez)

    Presidio Community YMCA (Marina Middle School Beacon Center)

    Real Options for City Kids (El Dorado Elementary School, Visitacion Valley Middle School)

    Richmond Neighborhood Center (Presidio Middle School, Roosevelt Middle School)

    Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center (Francisco)

    Urban Services YMCA (Dr. Charles R. Drew, OMI/Excelsior Beacon Center at Denman Middle School)

  • Ultimately, SFBI’s goal is to end the staffing shortage crisis happening within the Out of School Time field. We do this by supporting our network in recruitment and retention efforts. Long-term we are building sustainable pathways into the Youth Development field within San Francisco’s community schools and beyond.

  • SFBI’s Workforce Development Managers support in the following ways:

    1. Maintaining an Open Jobs Page on our website that highlights all open positions across sites.

    2. Representing the network at educational, city, and county-wide career fairs.

    3. Establishing referral networks to place highly qualified individuals in open positions at Beacon sites.

  • Because Beacon Community Schools are managed by Community Based Organizations, the job title and responsibilities can vary. Generally speaking, there are direct service staff and leadership staff.

    Direct Service sample job titles

    Many direct service roles are entry level and/or early career positions. Direct service positions have a variety of hours that range from part time to full time. These staff are often working directly with youth and are responsible for facilitating programming like photography, cooking classes, sports/athletics, supporting students with homework, and working with classroom teachers in the school day to support individual students or groups.

    • Program Leader/Activity Leader/After School Teacher

    • Enrichment Specialist/ Math Specialist

    • Family Engagement Coordinator

    • Case Manager

    • Recreation Program Leader

    Management / Leadership sample job titles

    Leadership positions are full time management level positions. While interacting with youth, these roles are primarily responsible for the administrative and collaborative work, as well as staff supervision and visioning.

    • Beacon Director

    • Site Coordinator

    • Assistant Site Coordinator

    • Behavioral Health and Wellness Specialist

  • This depends on the role.

    Direct service / entry level:

    • Experience working with young people in group settings (more than 1:1)

    • Experience with the age group the position would be working with

    • Patience, creativity, empathy, compassion

    Leadership level:

    • Experience management large teams

    • Experience in collaboration and facilitation

  • SFBI’s staff can help applicants understand the various open positions and help identify roles they may be well-suited for. Staff can refer potential candidates to Beacon Directors and Hiring Agencies. Staff may be able to help applicants tailor their application materials to a specific role.

    Please note: SFBI staff do not hire directly for jobs. SFBI staff cannot act as references.