Our Committees
Learn about the San Francisco Latino Task Force committees!
Education
The Education Committee of the Latino Task Force was formed shortly after LTF came together, in direct response to the challenges Latino students and families faced during COVID-19 school closures. As the first collective to take an active role in supporting students during the pandemic, the committee assessed family needs, delivered school and art supplies, and established the Student HUB to provide a safe space for learning and connection.
​
Beyond emergency response, the committee continues to advocate for educational equity, working closely with the city and school district to shape policies that impact Latino and newcomer (immigrant) students. Through education budget advocacy, policy reform, and direct student support, the committee ensures that Latino students have the resources they need to thrive. By bridging gaps between students, families, and institutions, the Education Committee remains committed to building a stronger, more inclusive educational system for all.
Employment
The Employment Committee of the Latino Task Force is committed to empowering Latino workers by connecting them to job opportunities, career training, and workers’ rights education. Understanding the barriers that many Latino job seekers face—such as language access, discrimination, and lack of resources—the committee works to provide culturally and linguistically inclusive support to help individuals secure stable and meaningful employment.
Through job fairs, workforce development programs, and direct referrals, the committee ensures that workers have access to employment in industries that offer fair wages and career growth. Additionally, it advocates for labor rights protections, ensuring that Latino workers are treated fairly and have the tools to advocate for themselves in the workplace.
By fostering relationships with local businesses, city agencies, and labor organizations, the Employment Committee plays a vital role in creating pathways to economic stability and professional success for the Latino community in San Francisco.
Food
The Food Committee of the Latino Task Force launched in 2020 out of Roberto Hernandez’s garage, where it began by serving approximately 300 families at the height of the COVID-19 crisis. On May 5, 2020, the operation moved to 701 Alabama Street, officially becoming the Mission Food Hub—a powerful community-led initiative designed to provide culturally appropriate, nutritious food to the families of the Mission District.
​
From the start, the mission was clear: ensure that no family went hungry, and that the food provided reflected the culture and dignity of the people being served. Through grassroots fundraising efforts, the team quickly built a commercial refrigeration system, allowing them to offer a broader range of fresh items like milk, eggs, and fresh juice, alongside staple pantry goods.
​
The Mission Food Hub has since served over 9,000 families, with a special focus on home deliveries for seniors, disabled individuals, and large families who were unable to travel. More than just a food bank, the Hub has become a national model for culturally appropriate food distribution, rooted in community care, responsiveness, and resilience.
What began as an emergency response has grown into a sustainable, people-powered movement—a testament to the strength of the Mission District and the power of meeting people where they are, with dignity and heart.
Immigration
Open Door Legal – Immigration Committee
Founded in 2013, Open Door Legal was built on the belief that access to legal services is a critical tool for breaking the cycle of poverty. As a key partner within the Immigration Committee of the Latino Task Force, Open Door Legal provides universal access to justice—functioning like a general hospital for legal services—ensuring that all individuals, regardless of income, have the support they need to navigate the legal system.
​
Unlike traditional legal aid models, Open Door Legal operates on an inverse approach, removing income caps and offering neighborhood-based services to meet people where they are. Covering 35+ areas of civil litigation, the organization assists with everything from immigration cases and workers’ rights to housing and family law. As part of a larger network of legal aid, Open Door Legal is transforming how communities access justice, empowering immigrants and low-income residents to build more secure and stable futures.
Health
The Health Committee of the Latino Task Force was formed even before LTF’s official establishment, created in response to the deep health disparities affecting San Francisco’s Latino community—disparities that were largely overlooked by the city, despite Latinos making up about 16% of the population. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee launched the Right to Recover program and established three vaccination sites in 2021, ensuring equitable access to care.​Committed to providing low-barrier health services, the committee continues to expand its efforts, now offering A1C, HIV, and STI testing, along with education on PREP and PEP for HIV prevention.
The Health Committee also assists individuals with linkage to care, ensuring that those in need are connected to essential medical and support services. In partnership with UCSF’s Center for HIV Prevention (CHRP) and Dr. Marquez, the committee contributes to vital HIV research, furthering efforts to close healthcare gaps.​Through a holistic and community-driven approach, the Health Committee remains dedicated to addressing longstanding health inequities and ensuring that every Latino in San Francisco has access to the care and resources they deserve.
Housing
The Housing Committee of the Latino Task Force is dedicated to advocating for Latino access to public and affordable housing while providing comprehensive support that extends beyond just housing needs. As a collaborative effort rooted in community trust, the committee prioritizes client-centered advocacy, ensuring that families receive the support they need with dignity and care.
The committee assists with rental applications, tenant rights education, and eviction prevention, offering Spanish-language support to break down language barriers in accessing housing.
​
Recognizing that housing stability is deeply connected to other social challenges, the committee provides coverage across multiple sectors, connecting individuals to employment, legal aid, and financial assistance.
​
Through direct outreach, hands-on assistance, and policy advocacy, the Housing Committee continues to be a reliable resource for Latino families in San Francisco, working toward long-term solutions that promote housing security and equity.
Re-entry
The Re-Entry Committee of the Latino Task Force is committed to supporting the successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into society, while addressing violence prevention through equitable opportunities, advocacy, and community-centered initiatives. Understanding the unique challenges faced by Latino individuals during the re-entry process—such as barriers to employment, housing, and access to essential services—the committee provides holistic support systems to ensure individuals can rebuild their lives with dignity and stability.
​
The committee offers resources like job training, legal assistance, mental health support, housing connections, and family reintegration programs. It also plays a critical role in policy advocacy, working to reform the criminal justice system and address systemic inequities that disproportionately affect Latino communities.
By promoting community-driven initiatives and collaborating with local organizations, service providers, and policymakers, the Re-Entry Committee helps create pathways to success, providing individuals with the tools and support needed to break free from cycles of incarceration and contribute positively to their communities.
Small Business
The Small Business Committee of the Latino Task Force is a collaborative hub dedicated to strengthening and supporting Latino-owned businesses in San Francisco. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee played a crucial role in providing businesses with home test kits and comprehensive training on safety protocols.​What sets this committee apart is its holistic approach—bringing together experts from various fields to offer referrals, case management, and hands-on support. The committee also connects small businesses with city grant opportunities and provides guidance on the application process to help secure vital funding. Additionally, it develops specialized curricula on key topics such as ICE protocols and building safety, ensuring businesses have the knowledge and resources to thrive in a challenging landscape.
Street Needs
The Street Needs Assessment Committee is comprised of organizations working on housing and homelessness issues in San Francisco, a number of whom focus their work in the Mission District. Created in May 2020, the Street Needs Committee performed its first assessment of Mission District residents living on the street, May 27-28, 2020, to document the specific needs of this population. From the outset of the work the committee’s work has been to create a living document that provides guidance to move the city towards healing–“helping the city get better at being better.”The resulting document provided a set of recommendations and plans guided by the same community-led, community-driven, community-implemented practices that drive all of the LTF committees and provide the ongoing framework for its partnerships with the city.
We believe that this report from the Street Needs Assessment Committee and the ensuing Proyecto Dignidad (Dignity Project) plan to transition the homeless into housing will surprise, enrage, and sadden many readers. And hopefully, it will also compel some readers into action – demanding that the city of San Francisco do better for its most vulnerable residents.
Creemos que este informe del Comité de Evaluación de las Necesidades de la Calle y el subsiguiente Plan Proyecto Dignidad para la transición de las personas sin casa a vivienda sorprenderá, enfurecerá y entristecerá a muchos lectores. Y con suerte también obligará a algunos lectores a la acción: exigiendo que la ciudad de San Francisco haga lo mejor por sus residentes más vulnerables.