San Francisco | Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good

Beyond the Flames: Mental Health Equity in the SFFD

In this insightful journey, Evan Cajigas ’24, Finance, combines academic ambitions with a passion for joining San Francisco’s Fire Department. Assigned to the Behavioral Health Unit, Evan learns and navigates the challenges to address the department’s mental health needs. Through trials and revelations, his story illuminates the complexities of public service and the pursuit of…

My Journey in San Francisco’s India Basin

In this week’s blog, Jade Carter ’24 Environmental Studies, embarks on a mission to bridge gaps between local government and grassroots advocacy in San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood. Through hands-on involvement , they confronted deep-seated community mistrust and explored avenues for equitable development. Ultimately, their narrative showcases the power of collaboration, highlighting the author’s newfound…

Meet the Fall 2023 McCarthy Fellows in San Francisco!

We welcome our eighteen McCarthy Fellows in San Francisco who will be spending the Fall semester interning part-time at various departments, offices, and agencies with the City and County of San Francisco. Our Fellows will be taking a rigorous 6-unit academic seminar where they will be learning about the historical, political, economic, and social context…

Time for Revolutionary Love

The Leo T. McCarthy Center is co-sponsoring this year’s Critical Diversity Studies Forum. In this week’s blog, we introduce the keynote speaker Valarie Kaur, creator of the Revolutionary Love Project, a national initiative devoted to creating media that inspires others to practice the ethic of love. Its current project target racism and hate toward minority…

Bringing Community Voice to City Hall

Sheryl Evans Davis wears many hats – USF alumnus, McCarthy Center Board member, Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission and now recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from USF! Before her day of recognition for her achievements in making a more just and equitable San Francisco, she gave us some reflections on her journey thus…

Now More Than Ever

This week we hear from two people who knew the Center’s founder, Leo T. McCarthy. One is Trish Fontana, a former intern who in turn, managed the Lt. Governor’s interns and has gone on to a long career in state government. The other is Star Plaxton Moore, an early staff member of the Center, now…

Heart in Health Policy

Over this past summer, Gabriella Ruiz ’20, Grad Student in the Master of Arts in Urban and Public Affairs, chose to do her required internship at the San Francisco Department of Public Health. She reveals in this week’s blog the support she gave in advancing San Francisco’s health program, working alongside policy planners and gaining…

#USFVotes – Leading up to the Midterms

USFVotes, our initiative to make every USF student a registered voter, will hold five (5) weeks of voter information workshops and talks ahead of the 2018 Midterm elections. Students, the USF community, and the general public are welcome to come out and get informed of the issues both on and off the ballot! Mark your calendars for…