Government for Kids

No more boring Civics classes. The YMCA of San Francisco kicks off a new program Tuesday September 12th at 6:30 called California Youth and Government. It gives teens a chance to learn about our complex government, and guarantees doing so will be FUN!

It meets every Tuesday for two hours, includes meetings with legislators and with the state attorney general, and ends with a banquet and ball. Yes, it costs; but financial aid is available. Call Rachel Del Monte at 242-7116.

PTA Supports the Arts

Carol Kocivar reports in the **West of Twin Peaks Observer** that, for the many months before the budget was finalized, our elected officials received emails, faxes, and phone calls from PTA members to let them know parents believe in arts education. Parents kept watch over the budget process -- just as they had watched, year after year, as the arts were cut from our school budgets. (Physical Education suffered similar cuts.)

It paid off. The budget contains $105 million in on-going funds for arts and music education, and $500 million in a one-time block-grant to equip music, art, and physical-education programs.

The right to have these activities in their lives belongs to all children. We can't afford to let them happen only to those whose families can offer private lessons. See the web site for more information.

Support for Foster Kids in College

Imagine a real community that lives and works together. That's the new beginning offered to former foster kids and San Francisco State through the new Guardian Scholars Program. They live in the Towers at Centennial Square on campus with roommates like themselves and nearby study-partners who take similar classes. This way of living supports them in the difficult task of jump-starting their adult lives, breaking patterns, beating the odds. The Stuart Foundation has awarded the program $450,000 over three years, stipulating that SF State must raise an additional $25,000 each year to cover housing costs. If you'd like to read more, see the Guardian Scholars Community page for more information.