Mahmood Launches Youth Violence Prevention Program in Tenderloin

The Facts

San Francisco will launch a new violence prevention program in January targeting Tenderloin youth aged 12 to 24, Supervisor Bilal Mahmood announced November 12. The $200,000 pilot program will deploy four part-time community workers with "deep ties" to the neighborhood to provide mentorship and programming for up to 20 young people.

Developed by nonprofit United Playaz and the Tenderloin Community Benefit District, the program will create a "safe refuge space" similar to United Playaz's existing SoMa clubhouse, featuring recreation rooms, computer labs, and recording studios. Services include job readiness training, mental health support, and presentations from community leaders, violence survivors, and formerly incarcerated people.

Initial funding comes from private donors including the Future Justice Fund, entrepreneur Chris Larsen, and investors Jeremy Liew and Michael Seibel. Mahmood hopes to secure ongoing city funding in the next budget cycle.

The Context

The Tenderloin houses 3,500 children and is encumbered by persistent drug dealing and violence. Mahmood cited the cases of two men charged with using a minor to sell drugs in the neighborhood this year as evidence that "young people are being targeted" for recruitment into the drug trade.

The supervisor highlighted the divergent paths of three young friends from his district: one died of overdose, another was shot, and the third graduated from the Police Academy. These outcomes, he said, depended largely on which resources they could access.

The GrowSF Take

This seems like a smart, targeted approach to addressing youth violence in one of San Francisco's most challenged neighborhoods. United Playaz is well respected for its work with at-risk youth, and the support from outside funders will ensure it starts strong, without straining the city budget.