George Koster, host of the podcast and radio show “Voices of the Community,” returned to “Civic” to talk about new research on how the nonprofit sector is faring during the pandemic and share stories from nonprofit leaders he has interviewed about how they’re handling current economic challenges. Nationwide, nonprofit organizations represent the third largest job […]
Category: “Civic” Podcast
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, City Hall, Economy & Business
SF Poised to Work on Blueprint for Creating a Public Bank
Jackie Fielder, co-founder of the San Francisco Public Bank Coalition, talked with “Civic” about a proposal that would create a working group to chart a path toward a public bank in San Francisco.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, California, Economy & Business, Labor
‘Deluged’ With Calls From Jobless Constituents, Chiu Pushes EDD Reform
Nine California legislators have proposed a slate of reform bills that would try to address some of the biggest obstacles to getting unemployment benefits to those who are eligible for them. Among them is Assemblyman David Chiu, who represents California’s 17th district, which covers much of the eastern part of San Francisco, and discussed the proposals with “Civic.”
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Arts & Culture, Bay Area, Homelessness
Love Notes, Care Packages as Film Fest Reflects on Homelessness
At this year’s SF Urban Film Fest, several programs examining homelessness include activities in which participants will be asked to connect with perfect strangers. In one case, they’ll be prompted to write love notes or put together care packages. Multimedia journalist Yesica Prado and Fay Darmawi, the film festival’s founder and executive director, curated the events and discussed on “Civic” how participants might gain new perspectives on homelessness.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, California, Labor
Ballot Measure’s Model of Labor Law Has Potential to Spread, Professor Says
Last year’s Proposition 22 allowed companies that dispatch app-based workers to continue considering them independent contractors, while adding some limited worker benefits. Veena Dubal, a professor of law at UC Hastings who conducts ethnographic and legal research on the gig economy, relays workers’ experiences and examines how it might lay the groundwork for other industries to shift toward gig work on “Civic.”
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Community, Coronavirus, Immigration
SF Fund for Undocumented Immigrants Has Disbursed Millions, but Thousands of Applicants Wait
Nearly a year into the pandemic, Undocufund has raised $3.7 million, and distributed $3.3 million, and since many recipients are families, those grants have benefitted more than 10,000 people, fund organizers estimated. But thousands of applications remain to be processed.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Community, Coronavirus, Health, Vaccine Distribution
Mission Vaccination Site Opens to Serve ‘Those Closest to the Pain’
Neighborhood vaccination sites are part of an effort to bring resources to those who have been most affected by the pandemic. The Mission District, and the city’s Latino population, have seen disproportionate infection rates and deaths from the virus. Latino Task Force Health Committee Chair Jon Jacobo spoke with “Civic” about the launch.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Coronavirus, Health, Homelessness, Vaccine Distribution
SF Nonprofit Reports Mixed Messages About Frontline Worker Vaccine Eligibility
Staff members at the nonprofit service provider Hospitality House have been on the job, in facilities like drop-in centers and working with the public in person, throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Executive Director Joe Wilson told “Civic” he encountered mixed and changing messages when he and his staff tried to determine which of them should get vaccinated, when and how.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, California, Coronavirus, Economy & Business, Labor
As California Grapples With Unemployment Fraud, Jobless Claimants Struggle
CalMatters, a nonprofit newsroom, has been reporting that the unemployment department is grappling with fraud — and unemployed people are ending up locked out of their benefits. Lauren Hepler, the economy reporter at CalMatters, and Emily Hoeven, who writes CalMatters’ daily “What Matters” newsletter, joined “Civic” to explain how the situation has unfolded.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Arts & Culture, Government & Politics, Social Justice
SF Poet Laureate Tongo Eisen-Martin on Poetry as Revolution
San Francisco’s new poet laureate, Tongo Eisen-Martin, is a city native raised by local organizers, and his work is deeply political. On “Civic,” Eisen-Martin reflected on national politics in the wake of the summer uprisings against police brutality and racism, the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and the presidential inauguration.