LEO T. MCCARTHY CENTER FOR PUBLIC SERVICE AND THE COMMON GOOD

Engage San Francisco

Engage San Francisco is an intentional, systematic, and transformative university-community initiative that achieves community-identified outcomes supporting children, youth, and families in the Western Addition.

Engage San Francisco has two key goals:

Contribute to and support a vibrant, thriving community for children, youth and families and the Western Addition
Enhance student learning and faculty research in the Jesuit tradition with key connections to the University of San Francisco’s Mission and Vision 2028.

Support our neighbors to reach our full potential

Professor instructs young students sitting outdoors

Academic Partnerships

Through student learning, research and teaching consistent with University of San Francisco’s Mission and Vision 2028, this university-wide initiative supports African American neighbors living below San Francisco’s poverty level to achieve their full potential in education, health, career development, and housing.

Group of adults stand and applaud while children sit at a table

Community Partnerships

As the city’s first university we are uniquely situated to address issues related to the poverty and inequality in the Western Addition, and we do this work in partnership with residents and service providers to address a lack of access to high quality, affordable housing, healthcare, and education. For more information, email engage@usfca.edu.

Small group of people dig in garden with shovels

Community Partnership Innovation Fund (CPIF)

University of San Francisco's faculty, staff, students, and community partners are invited to apply for Engage San Francisco's Community Partnership Innovation Fund (CPIF) of up to $5,000.

AmeriCorps VISTA

We Are Happy to Host a Vista Who Works As a Liaison Between The Success Centers San Francisco in the Western Addition Community and USF.

Changemakers — San Francisco African American Histories and Lived Experiences

In Fall 2015, University of San Francisco students began researching the stories of African American leaders featured on the INSPIRATION MURALS at the Ella Hill Hutch Community Center in the Western Addition.

Teacher sits with child at desk writing on paper with pencils in hand

Engage San Francisco Literacy

Through multiple partnerships with SFUSD and community-based organizations we have grown an intentional year-round literacy support project for Western Addition children and their families.

Leading for Justice

Engage San Francisco has been involved in the Place-Based Justice Network since its inception in 2014. Engage San Francisco and University of San Francisco have hosted gatherings for the network, co-facilitated workshops at summer institutes and via PBJN’s online continuous learning meetings. All the while we have been humbled and reinvigorated by the collaborative learning environment this network creates.

Adults and children pose in front San Francisco Dons sign

Partnership with Athletics

Engage San Francisco is proud to partner with the USF Division of Athletics to offer Western Addition game days for all sports year-round.

Two people sit on a bench in front of a mural and talk

Western Addition History and Resources

The Western Addition and the University of San Francisco are deeply interconnected, not just geographically, but through history and intergenerational relationships.

Students participating in Engage San Francisco address poverty and inequality in the Western Addition neighborhood

Handful Players allows me to do what I've always wanted to do: use theatre to help other people. I love feeling like everything I've learned in the PASJ program can already be applied to the real world, creating a positive impact."

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Main Campus

Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good

mccarthycenter@usfca.edu

(415) 422-5662

2130 Fulton St.
Masonic, Room 106
San Francisco, CA 94117

Hours

Monday - Friday:
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.