From The Fillmore to the School of Education

Last month we said our “goodbyes” to Engage San Francisco program assistant, Camille Batiste. We’ll surely miss Camille and her incredible work with the Western Addition community but we know she will continue to bring her skills and talent to the university through her new role at the USF’s School of Education. Read Camille’s fond farewell to the Engage San Francisco team and  to  her newfound allies and partners in The Fillmore district.

When I joined the McCarthy Center as Program Assistant for Engage San Francisco in August of 2022, I was excited to return to the hilltop and join a team of passionate changemakers motivated to make San Francisco more equitable and educational opportunities more accessible. Now, I’m moving ahead, growing my enthusiasm for educational equity and student engagement as the Program Assistant for the Teacher Education Department at USF’s School of Education.

During my year with Engage San Francisco, I formed strong relationships with community leaders, learned their stories and visions for the future, and supported our partnership to make their aspirations a reality. Through each project and collaboration, I witnessed how when we give our communities the tools, resources, and support they identified, we tap into the unlimited potential for creating positive and sustainable social change.

While at Engage, I revived dormant initiatives due to the pandemic. In February, we hosted Western Addition Night, welcoming Western Addition and Fillmore community partners and members for a free USF basketball game. The evening included the national anthem and halftime performances from students at Project Level, complimentary Engage SF and McCarthy Center swag, and a celebratory win for the USF Men’s Basketball team! I also highlighted our ESFprograms, opportunities, and student achievements in the revitalized ESF newsletter and myUSF website, increasing access to campus and community resources. Lastly, I worked alongside Rise for Racial Justice and Collective Impact to support two cohorts of the Community Research Collaborative. This program offers anti-racism education to help prepare, support, and empower Black San Franciscans to conduct community activist research, learn about endemic racism, and discover pathways to improve social and economic outcomes.

From the McCarthy Center to the School of Education, I will continue to use education as a vehicle for justice and healing within our communities. Though this is a bittersweet goodbye, I’m excited about this new journey. Onward!