The San Francisco District Attorney’s Youth and Young Adult Services Unit is committed to improving the quality and responsiveness of the justice system for the benefit of youth, young adults, and their families through four pillars of education, employment, engagement, and empowerment. We connect youth and young adults between the ages of 14 and 24 to opportunities that positively redirect them to resources and supportive services with the goal of preventing future contact with the criminal justice system.
For more information or questions about the Youth and Young Adult Services Unit, please email us at sfda.yyas@sfgov.org
Access to Hope Youth Fellowships, are designed to give youth and young adults impacted by the criminal justice system opportunities to see beyond their current circumstances. Fellowship participants will be offered educational seminars, professional development, and civic engagement opportunities. Participants will engage with prosecutors, professional staff, criminal justice partner agencies, and City leaders.
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IMPORTANT DATES |
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| Applications open | February 10th, 2025 |
| Application Deadline | April 11th, 2025 by 5:00pm |
| Applicant interviews | April 14th – April 26th, 2025 |
| Notification of Offer letters | April 30th, 2025 |
| Candidate Acceptance deadline | May 5th, 2025 |
| SFDA Orientation Paperwork due | June 1st, 2025 |
| First week of fellowship | June 23rd, 2025 |
Young Adults ages 18-24 may participate in a 6 week long fellowship intensive, from June through August. Please note that Applications for the Summer Session are currently closed
How To apply: Submit a Young Adult Fellowship Application
Resume – Applicants are still encouraged to apply if they do not have one
Deadline To Apply for Young Adult, Fall 2025 Cohort: July 18, 2025 by 5:00 p.m.
IMPORTANT DATES | |
| Applications open | June 6, 2025 |
| Application Deadline | July 18, 2025 (due by 5:00 PM PST) |
| Applicant interviews | August 4, 2025 – August 22, 2025 |
| Notification of Offer letters | September 2, 2025 |
| Candidate Acceptance deadline | September 5, 2025 (due by 5:00 PM PST) |
| SFDA Orientation Paperwork due | September 10, 2025 |
| First week of fellowship | September 24, 2025 |
The Shadow Day program offers high school students and young adults a chance to learn about the San Francisco District Attorney’s role in promoting public safety and preventing crime. Participants will have the opportunity to shadow Assistant District Attorneys or other SFDA professional staff, such as paralegals, investigators, victim services advocates, and more.
By attending a Shadow Day, students will:
If you’re interested, please submit a Shadow Day Interest Form: Shadow Interest Form.
The Youth and Young Adult Services Unit invites applications for the upcoming cohort of Sojourners.
Sojourn to the Past is a transformative educational journey where youth retrace the footsteps of the Civil Rights Movement by visiting historic landmarks across Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. This immersive experience empowers participants to become changemakers by exploring the values of acceptance, nonviolence, courage, compassion, forgiveness, and civic responsibility—principles that continue to shape our society today.
Eligibility
Program Details
Join us for this powerful opportunity to deepen your understanding of history, build leadership skills, and inspire positive change in your community.
Become a Sojourner – Sojourn to the Past 2026
Applications Open October 15, 2025
Are you ready to walk in the footsteps of history and become a voice for change? Youth ages 14–18 (18 if still in high school) are invited to join the Youth and Young Adult Services Unit for a 6-month transformative journey from January through June 2026 as part of the Sojourn to the Past Initiative.
Travel to key Civil Rights landmarks in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee, and experience history where it happened. Through this unforgettable journey, you’ll learn lessons of courage, compassion, nonviolence, and civic responsibility — and discover the power you have to make a difference in your community today.
📩 How to Apply: Submit a Youth STP Application.
Eligibility Requirements:
Questions? Contact sfda.yyas@sfgov.org for more information.
Note: Space is limited. Due to high demand, individual scheduling conflicts (e.g., vacations or work) cannot be accommodated.
| IMPORTANT DATES | |
| Applications open | October 15, 2025 |
| Application Deadline | December 1, 2025 by 5:00pm |
| Applicant interviews | Interviews begin December 15th – December 29, 2025 |
| Notification of Offer letters | Conditional Offer letter January 5, 2026 |
Are you a passionate young adult ready to make an impact? Young adults ages 18–24 are invited to join the Youth and Young Adult Services Unit for a 6-month leadership and mentorship journey from January through June 2026 as part of the inspiring Sojourn to the Past Initiative.
As a Peer Mentor, you’ll guide and support youth participants while deepening your own understanding of leadership, social justice, and the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement. This is your opportunity to grow, lead, and make a difference in your community.
📩 How to Apply: Submit a Peer Mentor Application.
Eligibility Requirements:
Questions? Contact sfda.yyas@sfgov.org for more information.
Note: Space is limited. Due to high demand, individual scheduling conflicts (e.g., vacations or work) cannot be accommodated.
| IMPORTANT DATES | |
| Applications open | October 15, 2025 |
| Application Deadline | December 1, 2025 by 5:00pm |
| Applicant interviews | Interviews begin December 15th – December 29, 2025 |
| Notification of Offer letters | Conditional Offer letter January 5, 2026 |