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Young Bayview minds
hunger for literacy
San Francisco Sentinel
By Pat Murphy
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Eager young minds, more supple than overseers, yesterday devoured the Bayview's first ever book and technology festival, demonstrating many pre-pubescents more computer proficient than marveling adults.
"This is the first time there's ever been a book festival in the Bayview," Public Defender Jeff Adachi said, who emceed the event. Some 32% of Bayview residents are under 18-years of age, he noted.
"We want to show them there are alternatives, and that there are people who care," Adachi told the Sentinel.
In addition to distributing 1,500 books, the festival delivered those who create them -- authors, and their readings, to put an accessible face on literary voice wide open to youth yearning to speak their truth.
"Every ten seconds in the United States, a high school student drops out, every 19 seconds, a child is arrested, and every three hours, a child or teen is killed by a firearm," reviewed Adachi.
"These statistics are staggering, but the good news is that they need not continue.
"While the gulf between the world that is and the one that ought to be for our children is vast, we can come together to bridge that gap and revitalize our communities. We are already beginning to do so in San Francisco.
"An effort is now in place in San Francisco to create hope and greater opportunities for our children."
The Saturday festival was organized under umbrella MAGIC (Mobilize Adolescent Growth in our Communities), drawing on "best practices from around the country to better serve our greatest resource: our children."
"MAGIC ultimately intends to reach out to all of San Francisco, but is developing its efforts one neighborhood at a time, beginning with Bayview Hunts Point," Adachi stated.
Funding is augmented by SBC California, which recognizes "it's very important to us that kids learn to read, and learn technology advances," reported Ken Mintz, area manager for SBC external affairs.
"The Baview was one of the first neighborhoods in San Francisco to get internet service," Mintz added.
Adachi presents Certificate of Appreciation to SBC California representative Ken Mintz
Twelve-year-old Ariston Davis manifested that goal, already competent at building a computer from inside out.
Davis' skills are available to other youth through Kids Computer Kamp (KCK), "providing free PCs in exciting hands-on labs for kids, single parents, and seniors since 1983," KCK trainer Terrence Baxter told those gathered.
Websites created as professionally as adult hands were on display, developed within a few days by youth aged 18 to 25-years-old mentored by OP-NET, which targets the age group for technology training and career development, said Lemuel Inyang who hosts those classes.
OP-NET also provides job placement services, having secured employment for 80% of 75 current graduates, Inyang continued.
Opening such possibilities for all Californians is the goal of Assemblyman Mark Leno through statewide arts funding by a one percent tax on sales of all entertainment tickets. "For instance, tax on a $9 movie ticket would be only nine-cents," projected Leno.
Kim McMillon of San Francisco Learning Center
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