Communities of Opportunity (COO) is an innovative and collaborative effort between the city and county of San Francisco and the philanthropic community that Newsom outlined in a recent town hall meeting held in the city's Bayview Community. The program was created to foster asset accumulation, promote good childcare, education, health care, jobs, business opportunities, and affordable housing for San Francisco's most disadvantaged neighborhoods. Because of the success of a demonstration project at the Alice Griffith Housing project, the city decided to roll-out the full pilot in Bayview Hunters Point and Visitacion Valley.
"Communities of Opportunities is an important initiative that helps address many of the quality of life issues affecting some of the city's most underserved communities," said Newsom. "The program's Web site will serve as an effective tool linking those disenfranchised neighborhoods with the necessary programs and services needed to enhance economic viability and productive community development," continued Newsom.
The Web site outlines the innovative way this new system will work to link residents, the city, philanthropy community, and economic development to radically change socio-economic outcomes in the southeast sector. Based on the success of this pilot, the city plans to role out COO to other neighborhoods within 1-2 years.
Dwayne Jones, director of Communities of Opportunities, notes that 50 community meetings took place with over 350 residents participating in which a set of "catalyst programs" were identified. According to Jones, "These catalyst programs will offset any gaps in the current services available in these communities and help people overcome barriers that have previously made it difficult for them to take advantage of what this city has to offer. Many of the COO programs launching this summer were designed based on proven effective local and national programs as well as those innovative plans from residents who know first hand what services they need."
