FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Contact: Mayor's Office of Communications
415-554-6131


***PRESS RELEASE***

MAYOR NEWSOM SWEARS IN MEMBERS OF THE SAN FRANCISCO YOUTH COMMISSION


San Francisco, CA – Mayor Newsom today swore in new members of the Youth Commission for the 2006-2007 term. The San Francisco Youth Commission iscomprised of a diverse group of 17 young people between the ages of 15 and 23 that come from all across the city to serve as the official youth voice at City Hall.

For the past ten years, the San Francisco Youth Commission has made valuable contributions on behalf of children and youth in San Francisco, said Mayor Newsom. I applaud the Commissioners for playing an active role in city government and ensuring that youth are a powerful body in City Hall.

Youth Commissioners serve a one-year term and are appointed by the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor. During their term, Commissioners have the opportunity to actively participate in local government and make sure that young people have a role and a voice in the policy and budget decisions
that impact children and youth.

Youth Commissioners appointed by Mayor Newsom:

Antonio Ayala has previous experience with the Youth Commission as a Community Affairs Officer. He has interned for the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services (MONS) and for District 8 Supervisor Bevan Dufty. Antonio has also been active with a variety of youth organizations including HOMEY and Youth Philanthropy Worldwide.

Shadi Elkarra is a native San Franciscan and has 4 years experience as a Youth Organizer for Youth Making a Change (YMAC), which is a youth leadership program sponsored by Coleman Advocates. Shadi has also been
involved with San Francisco Peer Resources, Youth Leadership Institute, and the Arab Cultural and Community Center.

Anthony Gavino Pico has experience in community relations and speaking on topics relating to foster youth issues. He is a member of California Youth Connection, a youth-run foster care advocacy organization. He has worked
closely with the Youth Law Center, which focuses on Juvenile Justice and Foster Youth Law Violations. Anthony is a youth trainer on the Youth Offering Unique Tangible Help (Y.O.U.T.H) training project and has help create a workshop to inform California's foster youth of their rights and how to implement them in a non-violent manner. He is a Commissioner on the State of California Blue Ribbon Commission on Children in Foster Care, which over the next two years will improve the way the state courts handles dependency cases.

Christine Revelo has been active with the San Francisco Youth Commission and the Youth Advisory Board of the Youth Empowerment Fund. Christine currently attends Lowell High School. She is politically involved with the
San Francisco Unified School District, and the Teachers Union, United Educators. Christine would like to improve the Recreation and Parks in San Francisco, as well as Youth Justice in the Bay Area.

Sam Rubin has youth – related community experience with the Improving Transition Outcomes Project (ITOP), a campaign led by Support for Families of Children with Disabilities, which promotes change and awareness in the
circumstances of transition age youth (14-24 year old) with disabilities.

Youth Commissioners appointed by the Board of Supervisors:

Iqra Anjum, Appointed by Supervisor Gerardo Sandoval

Luciana Carvalho, Appointed by Supervisor Tom Ammiano

Kenny Gong, Appointed by Supervisor Fiona Ma

Julie Taeko Gramlich, Appointed by Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier

Cassandra James, Appointed by Supervisor Sophie Maxwell