WE SUPPORT THE DREAMERS

For 50 years, Huckleberry Youth Programs’ legacy has been to provide youth in San Francisco and Marin with programming focused on safety, health, justice, and educational opportunities. From its beginnings, opening the first runaway shelter in the nation, Huckleberry has been an accepting beacon to diverse youth. All are welcome regardless of status — Huckleberry is a safe place. For five decades, our belief in inclusion has created programming that provides a sense of hope young people have not found elsewhere in their lives.

On Tuesday, September 5, the feelings of hope and safety were significantly diminished for many of our young people. The Trump Administration terminated Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a policy protecting young immigrants who entered the country as minors from deportation, requesting congress create a solution. Nearly 800,000 young people in the U.S. will be affected by the decision, including 200,000 in California.

Huckleberry youth, particularly those in the Huckleberry Wellness Academies (HWA), are deeply troubled by this decision. HWA prepares first-generation college students for post-secondary education and careers. One hundred percent of the youth in HWA graduated from high school last year and 100% of participants are currently enrolled in college. A large number of HWA students are Dreamers.

Dreamers at Huckleberry have been “hit hard” by this decision. They are struggling with the notion of being deported to countries unfamiliar to them. They are working hard to finance increasingly expensive college tuition, along with a $500 DACA work permit renewal fee, leaving them frightened and financially insecure. These students, who should be focused on obtaining a college degree and joining the workforce, are now facing an uncertain future.

At Huckleberry Youth Programs, we believe all young people deserve the chance to realize their full potential. A stronger community comes from including all voices, all types, all ideas, all people in the process. Huckleberry supports legislation that will allow all youth to thrive regardless of their status.

Douglas Styles, PsyD., Executive Director

HYP on Facebook

Huckleberry Youth Programs

14 hours ago

Dear Friends of Huckleberry Youth Programs,

Yesterday, we collectively held our breath awaiting the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial. The fact that we were unsure of the outcome speaks volumes about the work ahead of us toward racial justice in this country.

Although Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all charges, nothing will bring George Floyd back to his friends and family. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Daunte Wright, and yesterday, moments before the verdict was read, 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant. All were victims of excessive police force against the Black community. There is no justice until there is racial equity and an end to police brutality. There is only accountability.

The New York Times reported today that U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland is investigating the Minneapolis police department, a significant step forward in terms of holding more police accountable for misconduct. But the work does not end there. As the Attorney General stated, “the challenges we face are deeply woven into our history.”

At Huckleberry, we stand with our youth who are strong, resilient, and deserving of a world without fear of being harmed at the hands of law enforcement. Young people like Darnella Frazier, who was 17 years old when she had the presence of mind to document George Floyd’s murder on her phone. Our youth demand justice and an end to systemic oppression, not just accountability.

In solidarity,
Douglas Styles, PsyD.
Executive Director ... See MoreSee Less