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Mayor London Breed Expands CityBuild to Support San Francisco’s Local Workforce and Economic Recovery

Mayor London N. Breed and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) announced the expansion of CityBuild, a nationally recognized construction training program that provides career pathways for historically underserved San Francisco residents into the building and construction trades, to now serve 600 local residents over the next two years.

Published

3 years ago

September 12, 2021

Christy Price

San Francisco Mayor London Breed. Photo courtesy of the Mayor’s office.

The expansion, which doubles the number of participants, will provide more opportunities for workers to learn in-demand skills, receive wraparound services and job placement assistance in the City’s growing construction industry.

“As we look to our economic recovery and focus on getting people back to work, it is critical that we invest in providing our local workforce with the skills necessary to succeed. That is why we are doubling the number of CityBuild participants and creating more well-paying jobs for local San Franciscans,” Breed said on September 1. “Training our city’s workforce and placing them in meaningful careers will support those that were most impacted by the pandemic and help drive equitable employment opportunities for our city’s residents.”

The expansion will double CityBuild’s capacity to train 600 participants through CityBuild Academy, Special Trainings, and CityBuild-Building Trade Partnerships, including funding through Mayor Breed’s Women & Families First Initiative.

The construction industry anticipates significant growth due to the local hiring requirement that is part of President Joe Biden’s infrastructure package. In August, the U.S. Senate approved Biden’s $1.2 trillion proposal to invest in the nation’s roads, bridges, public transit, broadband, and essential infrastructure, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs nationwide, including goals for local community hiring.

“Local Hire has led to more job opportunities for historically underserved communities. The expansion of CityBuild capitalizes on those opportunities to ensure that local residents have access to livable wages and long-lasting careers in a growing industry,” said Kate Sofis, director of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. “CityBuild is vital to San Francisco’s equitable economic recovery—serving as an example of how we can meet the moment, strengthen our local workforce, and get San Franciscans back to work”

San Francisco’s Local Hire Ordinance requires 30% of all project hours on City-funded construction to be performed by local residents. CityBuild assists in providing a pipeline of qualified workers to meet the requirements of the Ordinance and the demands of the industry.

In the years since the Local Hire Ordinance’s adoption, local residents have performed 33% of a total of 8.2 million work hours on covered projects, with 48% of apprentice hours worked by local apprentices.

Biden’s infrastructure deal builds on the success of local hiring policies to create economic opportunity for disadvantaged residents by implementing a resident hiring requirement in federal infrastructure construction projects for the first time, creating a significant demand for San Francisco residents in the construction industry.

Congress will resume consideration of the proposal upon returning from recess on September 20.

CityBuild was the Office of Economic and Workforce Development’s first training program, providing the foundation for future workforce initiatives in healthcare, tech, hospitality, and emerging industries,” said Joshua Arce, director of Workforce at the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. “CityBuild’s many years of success in providing underserved communities access to opportunities to raise a family, buy a home, and have a successful career is intertwined with our partnership with the Building Trades, who offer graduates the chance to become a Union apprentice and turn out as journey-level construction workers, perhaps eventually becoming superintendents or apprenticeship coordinators.

“This unique collaboration between labor, contractor, educational, and community-based organizations has made CityBuild a national model to advance equity,” Arce said.
CityBuild began in 2006, under then-Mayor Gavin Newsom, as an effort to coordinate citywide construction training and employment programs and is administered by OEWD in partnership with City College of San Francisco and the San Francisco Building & Construction Trades Council, community non-profit organizations including Mission Hiring Hall, industry employers, and City agencies.

CityBuild trainees represent neighborhoods from across the City, including Bayview Hunters Point, Visitacion Valley, the Mission, the Excelsior, Ingleside, Bernal Heights, and the Western Addition.

“Today we celebrate 15 years of CityBuild providing opportunities for SF residents right here in the Southeast Sector of San Francisco. I want to acknowledge all of the individuals who have completed the program and gone on to become leaders in the field of construction. The partnerships that have developed through this training program have made it possible to employ hundreds of community members,” said San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Shamann Walton, who represents District 10. “I want to thank San Francisco City College, OEWD, and all of the community-based organizations that make the connections for our residents. Looking forward to many more years of making opportunities real!”

Over the past 15 years, CityBuild’s Training Academy has graduated 1,350 participants, including 146 through partnerships with projects such as the Chase Center, Gleneagles, and Alice Griffith. Graduates of the program represent the diversity of San Francisco’s disadvantaged job seekers with 30% Black, 19% Latino, and 36% Asian- Pacific Islander. In an industry that is nationally comprised of less than 1% women, CityBuild graduates are comprised of 12% women.

“At the core of CityBuild’s success are our partnerships,” said CityBuild Director Ken Nim. “Thanks to the support from labor organizations, construction contractor community, inter-agency and government collaboration, and community-based organizations providing services on the ground, we developed a strong foundation to deliver a program for all San Franciscans to prosper. These four pillars continue to be the strength of helping the City recover and build stronger.”

“The San Francisco Building and Construction Trades Council and all our affiliates are proud of our partnership with CityBuild since its inception. Thanks to CityBuild’s services to the community, the program had prepared San Francisco residents with core skills to be successful in the industry,” said Rudy Gonzales, the secretary-treasurer of the San Francisco Building & Construction Trades Council. “Graduates of the program are more equipped for the rigors of construction and become strong apprentices. Our employers and apprenticeship coordinators all believe that the pathway CityBuild has provided for graduates is the model for what a pre-apprenticeship program has to offer.”

CityBuild has evolved into a network of training programs, employment services, and policy administration. With its dual-service approach to training and job placement, CityBuild has taken advantage of the growing pipeline of workers to become a valuable resource for contractors and employers while continuing to monitor local hiring compliance on all major construction projects within the City. For more information, please visit www.oewd.org/citybuild.

“Wraparound services are critical to the successful outcomes of a workforce training participant. These services will help us identify and address the personal and social needs of participants that may impact their transition to gainful employment,” said Michelle Leonard-Bell, executive director of Mission Hiring Hall and CityBuild program coordinator. “The human touch of empathy and compassion demonstrates our commitment to focus on each person’s unique circumstances. These coordinated services will lead to greater success as participants begin careers in the construction industry.”

“Swinerton is proud to be a partner of CityBuild since its inception 15 years ago. The quality of graduates and the success of the apprentices coming out of the program has helped our company retain great employees,” said Lori Dunn-Guion, Vice President – Division Manager, Swinerton. “Part of the mission of our company is to ensure that we have a long and lasting impact on the communities in which we live, serve, and belong. We recognize jobs and career opportunities promote sustainable economies. Our partnership with CityBuild has helped us achieve that goal.”

The San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Communications provided this report.

Christy Price

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City of Oakland Celebrates Reopening of Main Library

“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”

Published

2 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Left to Right- Jamie Turbak, Director of Library Services, LaTonda Simmons, Assistant City Administrator, Nikki Bas, President Oakland City Council, Shen Thao, Mayor of Oakland, Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember District 3, Harold Duffey, Assistant City Administrator, Sean Maher, Projects Coordinator. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

The branch had been closed since May for critical infrastructure upgrades

Special to the Post

The City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Main Library after completion of critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the library’s facilities and provide a better experience for patrons.

Renovations include new roof installation, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, new boiler control system installation, auditorium heating and cooling system installation, and improvements to lighting, flooring and ceilings throughout the building.

“This is truly something to celebrate, the reopening of our wonderful Main Library! I congratulate the staff and our partners for this important project to make the Main Library a more comfortable place for everyone for years to come, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “Thank you to Oakland voters and the California State Library for making these crucial improvements possible.”

“Public libraries are a wonderful resource for our residents, offering a safe space for learning and being,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “It is critical to improve and modernize our libraries so more members of our community can utilize and enjoy them. I’m excited that the necessary renovations to the Main Library have been completed successfully and thank everyone involved, particularly the City team, who helped secured the necessary grant funds for this work.”

“I am proud of the City staff and project partners who kept this important project on schedule and under budget,” said Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey. “The library is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the library’s future.”

“December 2nd was a momentous occasion for Oakland Public Library as we proudly reopened the doors of the Main Library following extensive infrastructure repairs,” said Director of Library Services Jamie Turbak. “Closing the Main Library for six months was no easy decision, as it serves as the central hub for our library system and is truly the heart of Oakland. Yet, this renovation was essential, representing more than just physical upgrades—it reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”

The City Administrator Jestin Johnson also attended the press conference and signalled his support for the completion of the record-setting completion of the renovations. Gay Plair Cobb, a newly appointed Library Commissioner said the Library represents the soul and brains of our community.

The Oakland Public Library secured funding for these crititcal repairs through a variety of sources. The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program awarded the Main Branch $4.2 million. To comply with the grant terms, the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK, as approved by the Oakland City Council in October 2023.

The Main Library will host an Open House to celebrate the reopening on February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About the Oakland Public Library

The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow. Oaklandlibrary.org

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Biden’s Legacy Secured with Record-Setting Black Judicial Appointments

His record surpasses previous efforts by his predecessors. President Jimmy Carter appointed 37 Black judges, including seven Black women. In stark contrast, Donald Trump’s first term resulted in only two Black women appointed out of 234 lifetime judicial nominations. The White House said Biden’s efforts show a broader commitment to racial equity and justice.

Published

2 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

iStockphoto.

By Stacy M. Brown
WI Senior Writer

President Joe Biden’s commitment to diversifying the federal judiciary has culminated in a historic achievement: appointing 40 Black women to lifetime judgeships, the most of any president in U.S. history.

Biden has appointed 62 Black judges, cementing his presidency as one focused on promoting equity and representation on the federal bench.

The White House said Biden’s efforts show a broader commitment to racial equity and justice.

Meanwhile, Trump has vowed to dismantle key civil rights protections, including the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

“Having the Black woman’s experience on the federal bench is extremely important because there is a different kind of voice that can come from the Black female from the bench,” Delores Jones-Brown, professor emeritus at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told reporters.

Lena Zwarensteyn of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights told reporters that these district court judges are often the first and sometimes the final arbiters in cases affecting healthcare access, education equity, fair hiring practices, and voting rights.

“Those decisions are often the very final decisions because very few cases actually get heard by the U.S. Supreme Court,” Zwarensteyn explained.

Biden’s nomination of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court further reflects his commitment to judicial diversity. Jackson became the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court.

Patrick McNeil, spokesperson for the Leadership Conference, pointed out that over half of Biden’s Black female judicial appointees have backgrounds as civil rights attorneys and public defenders, experience advocates consider essential for a balanced judiciary.

Meanwhile, Congress remains divided over the expansion of federal judgeships. Legislation to add 66 new judgeships—approved unanimously by the Senate in August—stalled in the GOP-controlled House until after the election. House Republicans proposed distributing the new judgeships over the next decade, giving three administrations a say in appointments. President Biden, however, signaled he would veto the bill if it reached his desk.

Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., argued the delay was a strategic move to benefit Trump’s potential return to office. “Donald Trump has made clear that he intends to expand the power of the presidency and giving him 25 new judges to appoint gives him one more tool at his disposal,” Nadler said.

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A Student-Run Group Provides Critical Support Services to Underserved Residents

Those visiting The Suitcase Clinic can get legal advice, sign up for food assistance, receive housing resources, get medical help, or enjoy a hot, fresh meal. They can also get haircuts and foot washes from the student volunteers. Nilo Golchini, executive director of the clinic, said one of the goals for most of the students working there is helping bridge the gap of trust that exists between many unhoused people and the healthcare and social welfare systems.

Published

3 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

UC Berkeley Law Students help a clinic visitor with legal advice at their Tuesday night services. The Clinic offers a variety of resources, including medical, to those in the community who have little access to these services. Photo by Magaly Muñoz

Part One

By Magaly Muñoz

Every Tuesday evening, the dining hall of First Presbyterian Church fills up with dozens of people eating, laughing and moving from table to table, receiving much-needed services from UC Berkeley students – just a few blocks away from the university’s campus.

Individuals seeking support services can be found in this multi-stationed room on the south end of the church talking to law students, student case managers, or receiving medical attention in a corner by healthcare professionals.

This weekly event is hosted by Cal students through a volunteer-run program called The Suitcase Clinic.

The clinic, founded in 1989, was intended to offer free resources to underserved communities in Berkeley and surrounding cities. The majority of the clinic’s clientele are unhoused or low-income people looking for extra support.

Those visiting the clinic can get legal advice, sign up for food assistance, receive housing resources, get medical help, or enjoy a hot, fresh meal. They can also get haircuts and foot washes from the student volunteers.

Nilo Golchini, executive director of the clinic, said one of the goals for most of the students working there is helping bridge the gap of trust that exists between many unhoused people and the healthcare and social welfare systems.

During their tenure in the program, many of the students say they become strong advocates for homelessness rights.

Visitors of the Suitcase Clinic can receive haircuts and foot washing by student volunteers every Tuesday evening. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

“We’re also standing in solidarity with them. So, it’s not saying, ‘I’m going to help you, but I’m also going to stand with you,’” Golchini said.

Student volunteers get extensive training prior to working directly with clients. Those interested have to take a semester-long class to become versed in areas such as outreach, intersectionality, how to interact with unhoused people, how to sign people up for social services. and more.

Volunteers then get to pick from three different clinics: General, Women’s, or Youth and LGBTQ+.

The General Clinic is the most popular among visiting residents, while Women’s and Youth/LQBTQ+ have more specialized services for attendees.

The Women’s Clinic has many of the similar services to General, but also includes nail painting, childcare, and massages.

The Youth and LGBTQ+ Clinic offers a safe space for young people navigating living on the streets, with services that include housing referrals, wellness and recreation classes and employment resources.

Golchini explained that it’s important for them to keep these clinics separate because the different demographics experience poverty and homelessness differently than those who visit the General Clinic.

Suitcase Clinic student workers posing for a photo with a frequent clinic attendee. The Clinic is open to Berkeley unhoused and low-income residents who need medical or legal service, or a hot meal. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

“We’re able to provide spaces where people can come in and feel safe and not feel like they’re constantly worried that something’s going to happen to them,” she said.

An outreach team also visits encampments every other Saturday in the Berkeley area to provide hygiene kits and encourage people to visit the in-person clinic, if possible.

However, Golchini said engagement has been low for some time now due to a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that allows cities to ban and cite people for sleeping on the streets.

She said a lot of their clientele got displaced to other cities over time, making it difficult to stay in contact with the services the Clinic was providing for them.

But that hasn’t slowed down the students at the Clinic, if anything, it has pushed them to do more for the community they serve.