ACCESS TO HOPE INITIATIVE

The Youth and Young Adult Services Unit is currently accepting applications for the upcoming cohort of Sojourners. The Sojourn to the Past Initiative is a powerful academic experience where youth participants retrace the steps of the Civil Rights Movement by visiting civil right landmarks in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. This unique opportunity educates and empowers youth participants to be change agents in their communities by raising awareness about the many important qualities of the Civil Rights Movement such as acceptance, non-violence, courage, compassion, forgiveness, and civic responsibility; all of which improves life now and in the future. The youth participants gain a profound understanding of our nation’s history and leave with a heightened awareness of the prejudicial challenges that impact our society today.

We are now accepting applications for Youth ages 14-18 (18 if you are still in high school) and Peer Mentors ages 18-24 (must be out of high school).

The trip will occur April 2nd – 9th, 2024, and you must be a San Francsico student/resident in order to be considered eligible. You must also commit to weekly preparation meetings starting in February from 4:00-6:00pm, and once a month for group outing.

We are now accepting applications for Youth ages 14-18 (18 if you are still in high school) and Peer Mentors ages 18-24 (must be out of high school).may participate in a 6-month journey with the Youth and Young Adult Services Unit, from January through June. Applications for the 2025 Sojourn to the Past Journey closes January 5th, 2025.

How to apply: Please submit a Youth STP Application. 

Eligibility Requirements:   

• Must be a student or resident, student in the City and County of San Francisco.

• All applicants acknowledge that they will undergo a background check that requires parental consent if under the age of 18.

• Availability to commit to pre- and post- trip meetings, including the Sojourn to the Past trip April 2nd-9th, 2025. We will work with school districts to excuse absences.

• Agree to abide by all Sojourn to the Past rules and procedures, including our NO CELL PHONE policy during the Sojourn to the Past Trip. Students are NOT permitted to bring their cell phones on the Sojourn to the Past trip. The staff will make their cell phones available should there be a need to make an urgent call.

Please see application details below, or contact sfda.yyas@sfgov.org if you have any questions.

Please note that STP cohorts have limited capacity and are subject to availability. Due to the overwhelming number of applications, we receive, we are unable to take into consideration individual scheduling conflicts such as vacations or other employment. 

Young Adults between the ages 18-24 may participate in a 6-month journey with the Youth and Young Adult Services Unit, from January through June.

How to apply: Please submit a Peer Mentor STP Application.

Eligibility Requirements:   

• Applicant must be between the ages of 18 – 24 years old.
• Resident, student, and/or has an established connection to the City and County of San Francisco that they can articulate.
• All applicants acknowledge that they will undergo a background check that requires parental consent.
• Availability to commit to 6-month pre- and post- trip meetings, including the trip April 2^nd-9^th, 2024.
• Agree to abide by all Sojourn to the Past rules and procedures, including our NO CELL PHONE policy during the Sojourn to the Past Trip. Students are NOT permitted to bring their cell phones on the Sojourn to the Past trip. The staff will make their cell phones available should there be a need to make an urgent call.

Please see application details below, or contact sfda.yyas@sfgov.org if you have any questions.

Please note that STP cohorts have limited capacity and are subject to availability. Due to the overwhelming number of applications, we receive, we are unable to take into consideration individual scheduling conflicts such as vacations or other employment.