San Francisco – Summer camp? for inner city kids? The San Francisco Public Defender’s Office’s MAGIC program is hosting local youth summer camps for youth from the Fillmore, Western Addition and the Tenderloin. At the Summer Kickoff, hundreds of campers gathered on the steps of City Hall for welcoming remarks from city officials before enjoying an afternoon of fun, food and learning activities in Civic Center Plaza.
The kickoff marks the first of many weekly events where Mo’MAGIC, located in the Fillmore, will bring together neighborhood camp participants to enhance their summer experiences, build friendships, and keep learning throughout the summer. Speakers included MAGIC Executive Director Brittany Ford, Public Defender Mano Raju and District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood.
“Summer Kickoff is always an exciting day for the youth in our neighborhood,” said Brittany Ford, executive director of MAGIC. “It’s all about creating safe spaces for kids to build friendships, keep learning throughout the summer and, most importantly, have fun.”
“Our Public Defender MAGIC teams are committed to showing up for our youth and families year-round to make sure that they have what they need to excel and thrive,” said San Francisco Public Defender Mano Raju. “Kicking off summer by bringing so many people together is what helps build and strengthen positive community bonds.”
“Mo’MAGIC celebrates the vibrant diversity of our District 5 communities and sparks joy for our youth,” said San Francisco District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood. “I’m grateful to all those who have come together to create educational and recreational opportunities that help keep our kids learning and active throughout the summer.”
“Our young people will drive San Francisco’s future — and we’re making sure they have the support to grow and thrive,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “Programs like MAGIC bring communities together and create positive, vibrant spaces for the next generation. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone helping make this summer one to remember for youth in the Fillmore and across San Francisco.”
“Summer is such an important time to make sure that kids are engaged in activities that support their mental, physical and emotional growth so that they don’t fall behind in school or risk getting pulled in negative directions,” said San Francisco District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton. “Programs like MAGIC provide a safe, nurturing space where young people can explore their talents, build confidence, and connect with positive role models in their community. These opportunities are critical, especially in neighborhoods like District 10, where families are working hard to give their children the best future possible.”
“DCYF is committed to keeping children and youth safe, healthy and engaged throughout the summer, so they’re ready to succeed in the next school year and beyond,” said Sherrice Dorsey, interim executive director of the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families (DCYF), which funds many of the City’s summer programs.
“I like the summer and the Summer Kickoff because I get to have fun with my friends and try new things. My favorite part of today is the jumpy houses and the food,” said Nyete, a rising 5th grader at Cobb Elementary.
The Summer Kickoff is the first of several weekly convenings of local camps that Mo’MAGIC will host throughout the summer at the Ella Hill Hutch Community Center. They will culminate in a Youth Talent Showcase in July and a field trip to Great America in August.
MAGIC background
The San Francisco Public Defender’s Office founded the MAGIC program (Mobilization for Adolescent Growth In Our Communities) in 2004 in collaboration with community-based organizations in the Bayview. MAGIC was conceived out of the need to address the impact of trauma, poverty and violence on youth in that district and to close the school-to-prison pipeline. The goal was to improve the quality and access to community resources for youth and families through better collaboration and information-sharing.
MAGIC expanded from the Bayview (BMAGIC) to the Fillmore in 2006 and opened the Mo’MAGIC office housed at the Ella Hill Hutch Community Center. The MAGIC programs were consolidated in 2022 as BMo’MAGIC with Brittany Ford as the executive director.
MAGIC continues to act as a community convener, hosting monthly meetings in their respective neighborhoods and publishing resource guides and weekly community calendars for the Bayview and the Fillmore. The MAGIC programs will also host their annual Backpack Giveaways in August to make sure students and families have what they need to start off the school year strong.
