Contrary to images of prosperity and economic boom in the US, not everyone is riding the economic good times. As the homeless population rises in various urban centers, issues of sustainable work have become increasingly crucial. This is especially true for young people, who have few options for work that pay a livable wage and allow for leadership opportunities. 

The Center for Young Women's Development (the Center) is an organization in San Francisco, CA, staffed entirely by young women ages 14-24. Created in 1993, the Center is dedicated to providing well-paid work to young women who are on their own. That is, young women without family support, often homeless and involved in street economy such as selling drugs or sex to survive -- and possibly involved in the juvenile justice system. Young women at the Center have real decision-making power, write grants, and run a 350,000+ budget. The Center has several exceptional projects. The Street Survival Project trains young women to conduct peer outreach on the streets of San Francisco. They give information on safer sex and community resources as well as condoms, bleach kits and other health information. Girls in Charge (GIC) also provide a desperately needed opportunity for girls to connect while in the San Francisco Youth Guidance Center (i.e. juvenile hall). By offering the only groups that are run for and by young women, GIC holds trainings for girls in jail and advocates for change in the juvenile justice system. GIC organizes recreational activities for homeless lesbian and bisexual young women called the Nelly Velasco Fun Project. 

In case the Center's projects aren't impressive enough, their vision and goals for empowering young women on their own are also bold, sincere, radical and attainable. Unlike peer-run programs that actually want former-peers, the Center embodies a "for and by" peer model and uses a harm reduction approach. The agency does not require total abstinence from drugs or sex work as a condition of employment. In fact, offering well paid work to young people is considered harm reduction -- livable wages reduce dependence on moneymaking activities that can expose young women to harm and legal problems. Additionally, they actually pay staff to address the harm of poverty, racism and ageism while building community. Every year, the Center sponsors the San Francisco Youth & Social Justice Awards and recently started book drives for girls in juvenile hall. 

Truly empowering, the Center respects and builds upon the ideas and assets of young women living on their own so they can move on to well-paid jobs and be self-sufficient -- which is often lacking in quick-fix vocational training. In the words of an Associate Director, age 19, "We're not going to be young women forever." 

Contact Information:

965 Mission, Suite 450 

San Francisco, CA 94103

415-977-1980 phone 

415-977-1983 fax

--Cristina Booker