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SFPUC highlights summer youth employment program after year of expansion
Summary
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission staff told commissioners the agency placed more than 1,000 young people in summer jobs this year, expanded community-based partnerships and piloted a program that doubled African‑American male participation in one internship cohort.
Juliet Ellis, assistant general manager for external affairs at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, told commissioners on Aug. 26 that the agency invested in more than 1,000 youth this summer through a mix of internal internships and grants to community-based organizations.
Ellis said the program emphasized career exploration and skills-building — not just short-term placements — and highlighted a pilot called Project Pull Achievers that doubled African‑American male participation in that internship track. "We see these young people as the next generation of environmental stewards," Ellis said, and the program combined tours of PUC facilities, project-based learning and mentorship.
Commissioners noted program features they want to deepen, including clearer links to pre-apprenticeship and career pathways, and asked staff to consider consistency across the different summer placements so all participants gain similar workplace and presentation skills. Commissioner comments also urged tracking outcomes over time to measure whether participants ultimately take career roles in utilities or related sectors.
Two youth who participated described their experiences. Kaneen Thornton, a first-generation college student headed to the University of Oregon, said the program improved her professionalism and gave her mentorship and networking experience. "I'd like to thank the commissioners and Miss Ellis for making this opportunity possible," she said. A second participant, Leroy Gatlin, said the summer helped him build relationships and workplace skills.
Community partners said grants (typically about $10,000 each) allowed organizations to hire and train youth and to run peer‑education events: Mission Neighborhood Centers reported employing 12 youth for a "Got Water" project that produced public‑facing PSAs and household outreach. Staff said the PUC distributed grants to 25 local organizations this summer and expects those partnerships to help reach underrepresented neighborhoods.
The Commission praised the program and asked staff for follow-up information, including event schedules showcasing youth project work and continued collaboration with the Citizens Advisory Committee and other community partners. The presentation also prompted public commenters to press for program expansion that emphasizes durable career outcomes rather than brief placements.
