SF District Attorney

ACCESS TO HOPE INITIATIVE

Youth And Young Adult Services Unit

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

What we offer:
Access to Hope Fellowship

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.

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

High school youth between the ages 14-18 may participate in an 6 week summer fellowship, from June through August. Please note that Applications for the 2025 Summer Session open February 1st, 2025.

  • Eligibility Requirements: 
    • All applicants acknowledge that they will undergo a background check which also requires parental consent.
    • Applicant must be between the ages of 14-18 years old and must reside or attend high school in San Francisco.
    • Commit to Youth Fellowship program, 6 weeks in duration.

How To apply: Please submit a Youth Fellowship Application.

Deadlines for 2025 Summer Session: June 23, 2025-August 1, 2025 (six weeks).

IMPORTANT DATES

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

  • Eligibility Requirements:
    • All applicants acknowledge that they will undergo a background check.
    • Applicant must be between the ages of 18-24, and must reside, attend school, or have an articulatable connection to San Francisco.
    • Commit to Young Adult Fellowship program, 6 weeks in duration.

How To apply: The Young Adult Fellowship is currently closed

Resume – Applicants are still encouraged to apply if they do not have one

Deadlines for 2025 Summer Session: June 23, 2025-August 1, 2025 (six weeks)

 

Shadow Day:

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:

  • Tour the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office and the San Francisco Superior Court (The Hall of Justice)
  • Engage in interactive learning experiences
  • Network and connect with staff members within the office

If you’re interested, please submit a Shadow Day Interest Form: Shadow Interest Form.

SOJOURN TO THE PAST:

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.

Please note that applications for the 2025 cohort are closed at this time. Thank you for your interest, please check back again next year. 

How to apply: No longer available at this time

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.