Support Horizons at San Francisco Friends annual campaign
$23,921 of $45,000 raised!
53% of goal reached!
A letter from our Executive Director about our Annual Appeal
Joy is resistance.
Joy makes us stronger. It opens us to experience. It bonds us to our friends, to our community, to our neighborhood. Joy relieves stress. It is a marker of a wonderful life and builds protective factors against trauma so that even a spark of joy can inspire exponential growth. It is a critical part of Horizons at SFFS’s impact model that we actualize through innovative pedagogy to teaching, exposure to new experiences, and a holistic approach to wellness that encompasses the support networks that hold our students up.
The impacts of joy at Horizons are lifelong friendships, a love of learning, and a deep sense of self-worth. With a retention rate of over 95%, students return to our classrooms, achieving 2-3 months of growth in fundamental academic skills. 85% of middle school students reported a close relationship with trusted, caring adults at Horizons compared to 57% of their counterparts in SFUSD. We see students gain confidence every year as they conquer swimming classes, make new friends, try new things, or learn how to read (in two languages)! These impacts extend from students to staff and families and into their wider communities — a ripple effect of joy.
Our students, families, and educators are working tirelessly to overcome significant challenges. They face obstacles like housing and food insecurity, under-resourced public schools, and language barriers.
With your partnership, we can provide a respite to help them rise above these challenges.
We are committed to showing up with open hearts and unconditional high-quality programming for years to come - but we need your help to keep this work going.
By December 31st, we aim to raise $45,000 to fund our highest-quality programs. Your generous gift will directly impact the lives of countless Mission District scholars and their families providing them with opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.
Together, we can create a brighter future for our community.
In Community,
Amy Anderson | Executive Director