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:
Shadow Day:

Youth, young adults and community-based organizations are welcome to attend a shadow day to learn more about the San Francisco District Attorney Office’s role in public safety and preventing crime.

Benefits of attending a shadow day:

    • Tour of the office 
    • Interactive learning opportunity 
    • Q&A with a panel of experts

How to apply: Please submit a Shadow Day Interest Form. 

All interested parties should be prepared to submit the following materials:  

  • Media and Liability Waiver Policy  

Please note that Shadow Days have limited capacity and are subject to availability. In the event that your agency is interested in bringing a large group we may be able to assist in customizing a Shadow Day experience, please describe upon applying.   

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 mentorship, educational seminars, career and professional development, civic engagement opportunities, and interactive projects where youth will develop recommendations for solutions to community-based violence.  Participants will engage with prosecutors, professional staff, criminal justice partner agencies, and City leaders. 

Youth between the ages 14-17 may participate in a 9-month fellowship, from September through May. Applications for the 2024-2025 School Year Session opens June 5th, 2024. 

How to apply: Please submit a Youth Fellowship Application. 

All interested applicants must submit the following materials:  

  • Cover Letter – What do you expect to gain from this fellowship opportunity? Describe a public safety concern that you have for San Francisco. Please list any San Francisco neighborhoods or areas you do not feel comfortable or safe in and why you do not feel comfortable or safe in that area.     
  • Resume – Applicants are encouraged to apply if they do not have one   
  • Youth Background Investigation Form   
  • A copy of photo identification   
  • Outside Employment Disclosure Policy  
  • Media and Liability Waiver Policy  

Eligibility Requirements:   

  • Applicant must be between the ages of 14 – 17 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. 
  • Commit to the Youth Fellowship program, 9 months in duration.  

Please note that Fellowship 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.

Important timelines for 2024-2025 School Year Session:  September 10th – May 2nd, 2025 

 

IMPORTANT DATES 

DEADLINES 

Applications open 

June 5, 2024 to July 20, 2024

Deadline: July 20, 2024, 5pm PST 

Applicant interviews 

August 5, 2024 to August 23, 2024 

 

SFDA notification of Offer letters 

August 26, 2024

 

 

Candidate Acceptance deadline 

 

September 2, 2024, 5pm PST 

First week of fellowship 

September 10, 2024 

 

Young Adults ages 18-24 may participate in a 3-month long fellowship intensive, from June through August. Please note that Applications for the 2024 Summer Session are currently closed. 

How To apply: Please submit a Young Adult Fellowship Application. All interested applicants must submit the following materials:  

  • Cover Letter – What do you expect to gain from this fellowship opportunity? Describe a public safety concern that you have for San Francisco. Please list any San Francisco neighborhoods or areas you do not feel comfortable or safe in and why you do not feel comfortable or safe in that area.     
  • Resume – Applicants are encouraged to apply if they do not have one   
  • Adult Background Investigation Form   
  • A copy of photo identification   
  • Outside Employment Disclosure Policy  
  • Media and Liability Waiver Policy  

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.    
  • Commit to the Young Adult Fellowship program, 8 weeks in duration. 

Please note that Fellowship 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. 

Important timelines for 2025 Summer Session: June 16th – August 8th, 2025 (8 weeks) 

 

IMPORTANT DATES 

DEADLINES 

Applications open 

January 1,. 2025-Febraruy 21, 2025 

Deadline: February 21, 2025, 5pm PST 

Applicant interviews 

March 10, 2025-April 11, 2025 

 

SFDA notification of Offer letters 

April 30, 2025 

 

 

Candidate Acceptance deadline 

 

May 5, 2025 

First week of fellowship 

June 16, 2025