Mayor Daniel Lurie heard about city funding needs directly from District 11 community and nonprofit leaders at a roundtable meeting on Friday.
Organized by the Office of District 11 Supervisor Chyanne Chen along with Lurie's Director of Community Affairs EJ Jones, the meeting, held in the mayor's meeting room, gave about 20 leaders to opportunity to share first-hand information with the mayor about the impact of budget cuts.
Many of the participants run organizations that rely on city funds to operate and serve the district's large number of elderly people, children and immigrants.
The mayor's office must submit the budget to the Board of Supervisors by June 1. Then the supervisors must ratify the document by the end of June. Significant cuts are required to balance the budget this year.
"This [meeting] was an opportunity to have community-based organizations engage with the mayor and share about the critical services they provide and the challenges our communities face," Chen said in a statement. "This will be the first of many conversations, and I am very grateful that all parties could come together."
Chen and Jones opened the meeting with introductory remarks and then the participants explained who they serve in the district.
Patti Spaniak Davidson, Community Living Campaign's director of community engagement, said the leaders appreciated having a chance to speak to the mayor to share on-the-ground, budget-cut realities.
"This district has been 'making do' for years," Spaniak Davidson said. "We know about tightening our belts. However, how long can you wait for your share? We need resources for our seniors. District 11 has the largest number of seniors and children in all of San Francisco. We hope these meetings will enlighten the mayor to the District 11 reality and provide critical resources for these vulnerable populations."
Community and nonprofit leaders at District 11 roundtable meeting held May 16, 2025. | Patti Spaniak Davidson
David Hooper, president of the New Mission Terrace Improvement Association, said he was glad for Chen's leadership. He had not seen any previous supervisor do the same.
"The general tone of the meeting was that [the budget] is going to squeeze the community: the elderly, families and those who are worried about where the next meal is going to come from," Hooper said.
Lurie made no promises but said he was committed to doing the best he could, Hooper said.
Some of the participants included Nancypili Hernandez, manager of the Excelsior Strong Casa De Apoyo, Mary Harris of Ocean View-Merced Heights-Ingleside Neighbors in Action and Youth 1st Executive Director Renard Monroe.
The group of District 11 community and nonprofit leaders intends to meet again next month.
Anne Marie Kristoff (she/her) is a recent graduate from San Francisco State University's journalism program. She enjoys writing about the arts, entertainment and nature.
Anne Marie Kristoff
