San Francisco Youth Commission
Immigration & Employment Committee
Minutes
Thursday, May 14, 2015
5:00-7:00 PM
City Hall, Room 345
1. Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl.
San Francisco, CA 94102

There will be public comment on each item.


Members: Luis Avalos, Emily Guo, Michel Li, Joyce Wu, David Zheng

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

Committee Chair Wu called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. Commissioners present: Joyce Wu, David Zheng, Luis Avalos. Commissioner Emily Guo arrived at 5:10pm. Commissioners Absent: Michel Li. There was quorum. Staff present: Allen Lu.

2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)

There was no public comment. Commissioner Zheng, seconded by Commissioner Luis Avalos, moved to approve the agenda. This motion was approved by acclamation.

3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)

A. April 30, 2015
(Document A)

There was no public comment. Commissioner Zheng, seconded by Commissioner Luis Avalos, moved to approve the minutes of April 30, 2015. The motion was approved by acclamation.

4. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda (Discussion Only)

There were none.

5. Presentations (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

A. TAYSF – Supporting Undocumented Youth
Presenter: Mia Tu Mutch, TAYSF Fellow

Ms. Tu Mutch shared that TAYSF has been working on expanding employment opportunities for undocumented youth. They’ve had working groups since November exploring innovative ways to make employment for this population happen. Because TAYSF is stationed in DCYF, they have been looking at workforce programs and violence prevention funds that DCYF maintains. A memo is being written with hopes that Director Su will send out to contract nonprofit youth employment-based organizations. TAYSF has asked the YEC to schedule a meeting to discuss this Director Su, and extended the invitation to Youth Commissioners when that meeting is scheduled.

TAYSF wants to hear from other departments (like OCEIA and PUC) any efforts around supporting employment for undocumented youth. TAYSF recently held an providers gathering where creative employment opportunities were shared with one another. They also would like a space where nonprofit organizations like LYRIC, MEDA, CHALK, and Causa Justa can share how they have creatively paid for undocumented youth employment.

The problem nonprofit organizations have had is that they don’t want to be liable or legally responsible for hiring undocumented youth. TAYSF is exploring the possibility for the City to demonstrate support for the organizations and the youth by being the Employer of Record. There is precedence in other cities where the government is the Employer of Record for city-funded youth employment programs. With San Francisco being a Sanctuary City that has always claimed to support immigrant and undocumented people, perhaps it can be the first city to fund these youth employment programs to offer undocumented youth internships, apprenticeships, and/or scholarships.

Commissioner Avalos recommended that TAYSF also bring the Immigration Rights Commission into these conversations.

The committee and presenters discussed outcomes for the hearing.
• Have a space for undocumented youth to share their experiences
• Celebrate DreamSF and other successful programs
• Bring department heads (OCEIA, DCYF, OEWD, HAS, IRC, PUC) in to hear the creative ideas created by the community and see if they can support/implement something similar in their departments.

Chair Wu updated the group about the Mayor’s Press Release in support of a pilot fee assistance program for DACA. She also updated the group about her Supervisor’s support and a possible resolution and press conference. Ms. Tu Mutch shared that invitations to the hearing can also be distributed at the press conference. The presenters inquired about the possibility of the hearing to be held at an upcoming BOS committee, specifically Thursday, June 3rd in the Neighborhood Services Committee.

There was no public comment.

B. 14 Black Poppies: You Belong Here Follow-Up
Presenter: Jason Wyman

The presenter was unable to make this meeting; the item was tabled. There was no public comment.

6. Business (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

A. Kinetic Konnection: Youth Town Hall
The committee spent time generating questions for all of the speakers, panelists, sections for the town hall. Staff will email out the questions to the group. Staff also updated the group that some companies have agreed to help pay for a BAVC youth to film and produce a video from the event. They committee invites everyone back to touch base at their next committee meeting, Thursday, May 28th.

There was no public comment.

7. Staff Report

Staff shared that Friday would be the last day of interviews, that the Full YC on Monday was cancelled, and updates on the OAC applications. There was no public comment.

8. Executive Committee Report

Commissioner Avalos shared, “Get ready for BPP presentations!” There was no public comment.

9. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:08 pm.