Momentum Grows to Protect City’s Community Ambassadors Program

Dozens of workers in fluorescent yellow jackets joined community members, city workers, neighborhood groups, community based organizations, and Supervisors Dean Preston, Joel Engardio, and Hillary Ronen this morning in an outpouring of support to protect San Francisco’s Community Ambassadors Program, which is was completely defunded in the Mayor’s proposed City Budget. The rally kicked off a full day of recognition for the beloved program, which was honored by the Board of Supervisors with formal commendations for each of the OCEIA community ambassadors, and the unanimous passage of a resolution commending OCEIA’s Community Ambassadors Program.

“Just as the Community Ambassadors Program has had the community’s back for nearly 15 years, it’s amazing to see the community show up to protect this vital service and reject the Mayor’s cuts,” said Supervisor Dean Preston, who has brought CAP ambassadors to every neighborhood in his district. “Across the board, there is nothing but praise for the hard work and outreach these community ambassadors provide.”

The nationally-recognized Community Ambassadors Program (run by the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs (OCEIA)) provides critical support to community programming, neighborhood revitalization activities and special events, ensuring that our neighborhoods are vibrant, safe and connected. In the past year, the multilingual Community Ambassadors have conducted 273,126 service interactions, with 20% of those interactions conducted in a language other than English. 

“We don’t stand on the street at traffic lights and wait for miracles to happen,” said CAP Team Lead Daniel Abera to cheers from the crowd. “When we report hazards to 311, like needles, we want to make sure our kids are safe without judging those who are battling addiction. We offer them resources, conduct wellness checks when they are lying on the ground, check their pulse, save lives, and administer Narcan because we are skilled, trained, qualified, and proud.”

The morning rally was a boost in the continued efforts to protect the program. Last week, Supervisor Dean Preston introduced a resolution supporting OCEIA’s program, which passed unanimously at the Board of Supervisors today. Advocates and supporters are expected to continue advocating for the restoration of funding for the program until a final budget is finalized at the end of June.