Youth Leadership Development (for high schoolers)

Our young people are not only the future of our neighborhoods, but also key to thriving communities today. To foster the leadership potential of Chinatown youth, Chinatown CDC created the Adopt-An-Alleyway Youth Project in 1991. The project was part of the neighborhood service and empowerment program of Chinatown CDC and served to improve the conditions of Chinatown’s alleyways through youth-led neighborhood service activities. Since then, our youth programs have expanded to address a wide range of needs in our community.

The Chinatown CDC Youth Leadership Program offers young people intensive involvement in community issues. Our programs give youth opportunities to learn more about their community and apply what they learn through direct services to become effective future community leaders.

Chinatown Community Development Center- Mission

The Mission of the Chinatown Community Development Center is to build community and enhance the quality of life for San Francisco residents. We are a place-based community development organization serving primarily the Chinatown neighborhood, and also serve other areas including North Beach and the Tenderloin. We are a community development organization with many roles - as neighborhood advocates, organizers and planners, and as developers and managers of affordable housing.

We believe in a comprehensive vision of community, a quality environment, a healthy neighborhood economy, and active voluntary associations. We are committed to the empowerment of low-income residents, diversity and coalition building, and social and economic justice.