CYC Debuts New Inner Richmond Site at 952 Clement St.

By San Francisco Richmond ReView on September 1, 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

By Elsie Scott

Few people might see a connection between a building on Clement Street and the dragon boat racers on Lake Merced. However, the paddlers on the lake may have been practicing on the roof of the new Community Youth Center (CYC) at 952 Clement St., on the corner of 11th Avenue.

On Aug. 10, CYC successfully opened its new community hub in the Richmond District.

At the ceremony, many CYC members and San Francisco officials delivered speeches expressing gratitude and future goals for their community. Among the speakers were SF Mayor London Breed, Richmond District Supervisor Connie Chan, Assemblymember Phil Ting and CYC Executive Director Sarah Wan.

Dozens of community members attend the grand opening event at the new Community Youth Center (CYC) at 952 Clement St. on Aug. 10. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony were (L-R) District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan, SF Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, CYC Board Chair Jaynry Mak, SF Mayor London Breed, CYC Executive Director Sarah Wan and State Assemblymember Phil Ting. *Photo by Michael Durand.*

“The opening of CYC’s Richmond Community Hub marks a new chapter for the Richmond District,” Breed said. “This key community access point on the west side of our City will further strengthen our commitment and ongoing partnership with CYC in providing essential services to youth, seniors and families through a wide range of culturally and linguistically competent programs.”

Prior to the start of public tours, a red ribbon was cut to symbolize the official grand opening of the building. Traditional Chinese drumming, dragon dances and fireworks concluded the ceremony with lively energy. Refreshments and tote bags were offered for everyone taking the tour.

“I am so excited for the grand opening of the CYC Richmond Community Hub,” Chan said. “For over 30 years, CYC has served the Richmond District. I am grateful for CYC’s partnership with our office and city departments. Together we provide invaluable services to our youth, with cultural and linguistic competency, empowering them to achieve their goals and give back to our community. The Hub provides a safe and welcoming space to expand CYC programming and continue uplifting our youth and the Richmond District.”

Members of CYC and government officials celebrated with the Richmond community at the groundbreaking ceremony in November 2021. The event initiated the building’s renovations. The funds for the new construction of the facility heavily relied on the support of Breed, Chan and Ting. The cost of the project was $10 million.

Before and after: The interior of 952 Clement St. (above) at the groundbreaking ceremony on Nov. 10, 2021, for the Community Youth Center and the completed building (below) at the grand opening event on Aug. 10. *Photos by Michael Durand.*

“The process of finally opening up the CYC was not only dependent on one department, but we had a lot of support from the mayor’s office, the state Assembly, Phil Ting’s office and the volunteer board,” Wan said. “It’s so happy to finally celebrate the opening of this service hub with everyone.”

The CYC offers a variety of activities and events for everyone in San Francisco, specializing in programs for Asian American Pacific Islander youth. During the grand opening event, CYC distributed backpacks and school supplies to children in need. The Richmond Hub Center uniquely features a dragon boat team as well as several job-readiness programs, including Young Adult Worklink, Job Readiness for English Language Learners and the Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program.

“I have made many close relationships with my friends and coaches on the dragon boat team at CYC,” said a 16-year-old CYC member. “Now that this new building is open, we have a lot more space to practice and plan to have a designated practice spot on the roof.”

The CYC also provides support to seniors by hosting technology and computer classes. In partnership with the SF Municipal Transportation Agency, the CYC help to provide accessible transportation to Chinatown. Organizations and people interested in getting involved with the CYC are encouraged to reach out on their website, cycsf.org.

“I’m so proud of the building because it creates so many more opportunities and space to expand our programs,” CYC Board Chair Jaynry Mak said. “But this space is not just for CYC, it’s also a community center that we hope to inspire other groups and organizations who need space for events or meetings.”

The new Richmond Hub aims to extend the CYC by strengthening marginalized members across San Francisco and providing support and opportunity to low-income adults, seniors and youth. The commitment and dedication of the CYC aspires to positively influence the lives of future generations.

“I was a former alumna in the youth leadership program at CYC and it has been special seeing it expand since I started as a youth,” Youth Leadership Program Director Daphne Wong-Ha said. “Now with this large space, there’s so many more youth that we can accommodate and so many more programs and services. Hopefully this building will become a space that youth can gather together and feel like they can call home.”