The rhythmic pulse of a Native American drum ceremony echoed through the hallways of Everett Middle School as at least 75 parents, students, staff, and members of the community filled its cafeteria. They gathered to lament the loss of the Mission Neighborhood Centers’ (MNC) Mission Beacon program, which many believe is another target of displacement in the Mission District.
“I stand here today with my heart heavy, feeling that our family is being torn apart,” said pasteur, and Beacon employee, Marquez Gray, in tears.
For the past eight years, the Mission Beacon Center has functioned under direction the of Mission Neighborhood Centers (MNC), a 50-year-old Mission-based nonprofit organization that provides various social services to the community.
In April, the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth and Their Families announced that MNC would no longer be the service provider at the Mission Beacon location.
Approximately 170 students are enrolled in the MNC Mission Beacon—an after school program where students have access to social support, a meal, activities and homework help. They also facilitate evening and weekend programming for families.
Is MNC being displaced?
Based off of the Harlem Children’s Zone model—a model that promotes community building as a method to improve student performance, and surrounding neighborhood conditions—the San Francisco Beacon centers are operated by local non-profit organizations.
Every two years, San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) and DCYF issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Beacon initiative when the contract with the non-profit service provider expires. This year, the request for the Mission location was issued on Jan. 7.
Santiago “Sam” Ruiz, Executive Director of MNC, was taken by surprise when he received a phone call from DCYF Executive Director Maria Su informing him that “(MNC) would no longer be the service provider.”
According to Su, the response to the request for funding was “not well received.”
Two organizations applied to the RFP—MNC and the San Francisco Coalition of Essential Small Schools (SF-CESS).
MNC received a total score of 84 and was recommended to be funded while SF-CESS, with a score of 43 was not recommended for funding, according to DCYF score sheets.
Though these scores reveal that the DCYF review committee originally selected MNC, this was not the final verdict.
Everett Middle School Principal Lena Van Haren allegedly stated that MNC’s proposal “does not align with the school’s values, mission and culture.”
On April 21, DCYF and SFUSD issued a Notice of Funding Available (NOFA) for Mission Beacon that re-opened the application process. City-approved organizations were given 12 days to respond to a modified 36-page application.
In an email communication to staff and parents, Van Haren stated that DCYF will make its decision based on the school’s recommendation. She was unavailable for comment on the issue.
The award for the new service provider will be announced on May 14.
The fight to save the MNC Mission Beacon
Many MNC staff, students and parents found the rejection of their Beacon proposal to be unjust.
“All three reviews of our proposal highlighted a safe environment as expressed by Beacon youth as well as their parents. We received a higher score than the other applicant,” said Ruiz at a meeting held on April 28 at the Everett middle school auditorium.
The three-hour-long meeting was marked by emotional testimonies given by MNC Beacon students, parents and staff.
“I have attended the Beacon for three years. It is about having education, about having fun. How can we have a principal, who hasn’t even been here for one year, come in and tell us that we have to leave?” said one student.
Some staff perceived the incident as being a part of a greater wave of gentrification hitting the Mission District.
“I’m a woman of color, I know my history, I know the history of people of color, and so to me, this is an example of internalized racial superiority.” said director of MNC Beacon Valerie Tulier with vigor, as the crowd stood up and cheered in support.
Though controversial, she seemed to put words to a feeling that many in the audience had been longing to release.
Social justice has always been a focus in their programming.
The MNC Beacon is the birthplace of the “Mission Peace Collaborative,” a five-year peace plan to alleviate the district of violence from a public health perspective, and “Our Mission No Evictions,” a coalition formed to fight back against unjust evictions happening in the neighborhood.
Staff members spoke against the decision on behalf of the well-being of the kids of the program.
Ruiz confirmed that MNC would not be re-applying for the funding through the NOFA.
Instead, he will focus on advocating for a more transparent process for proposal review in future Beacon selection processes at the city level.
The soul of the MNC Mission Beacon
The eight Beacon centers housed at public schools throughout the city differ greatly, according to Su.
Adorned in a colorful, Misión-style mural, the facade of the Beacon center leads into a turquoise and purple painted space lined with student-made art and dreamcatchers dangling from the ceiling.
“Every day before the students arrive at our after-school program, we check in and gather around to burn sage, not for any religious reason, just to honor those who were here before us,” recalled Tulier, who is known as “Mama Bear” to the students.
To many in the community, the Beacon has had a lasting impact on the students who have walked through its doors.
This is the case for Killari Meredith, a former Everett Middle School student.
“After my parents split, I was having a hard time focusing in school. When I first walked into the Beacon program I was in 7th grade. I felt love, and respect,” said Meredith.
He is especially fond of how the MNC Mission Beacon program shaped him.
“I was more interested in coming to the program than going to my regular classes. I started to gain motivation, they gave me confidence,” he said. Meredith, now 20 years old, said he landed his dream job as a safety and support person at the center.
Students have the option to participate in different programs such as college/career club, skateboarding, computer lab, media, and sports among others.
While the future of the MNC Beacon family is unknown, its roots have been planted in the community, and will likely find a new home elsewhere.
“What I will miss most is the feeling of joy that this family gives me every day,” said Tulier, with an art-piece that reads “together we can cross hot lava,” hanging on the wall above her.