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Mayor Lurie Celebrates Opening of New Community Resources Center in SoMa
06/17/2025
Mayor Daniel Lurie celebrated the grand opening of a new community resource center in San Francisco’s South of Market Neighborhood (SoMa). Owned and operated by United Playaz, a San Francisco-based violence prevention and youth development organization, the new facility at 1044 Howard expands United Playaz’s wide range of services to prepare vulnerable youth for higher education, employment, and healthy living with a safe, nurturing, and collaborative environment.
The opening of the new resource center builds on Mayor Lurie’s work to drive San Francisco’s recovery and strengthen community organizations. In his proposed budget, Mayor Lurie protected important support for legal services in the city’s immigrant, LGBTQ+ communities, and families. "It is United Playaz, events like this, and communities like this that give me hope. Because when we work together, come together, and are together, there is no stopping San Francisco,” said Mayor Lurie. “This is an organization that delivers on its word. Places and communities like this are what is going to take us back to being the greatest city in the world. Whatever comes our way, San Francisco will stand united." United Playaz acquired the new space in 2022 to provide an additional 3,200 square feet of much needed programming space, expanding United Playaz’s family literacy and adult re-entry programs that connect formerly incarcerated individuals with support, resources, and referrals as they transition back into the community. The site is conveniently located in the South of Market neighborhood between Sixth and Seventh Street, just two doors down from the United Playaz Clubhouse at 1038 Howard Street. In addition to expanding United Playaz’s family literacy and adult re-entry programs, 1044 Howard Street will serve as the new home for the SoMa Youth Collaborative Summer Program, funded in part by the SoMa Stabilization Fund through the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development. United Playaz’s also plans to utilize the space for community meetings and special events. The acquisition and rehabilitation of 1044 Howard Street was aided by grants from the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development and the San Francisco Community Investment Fund, as well as $2 million in state funds, secured by Assemblymember Matt Haney, and $4 million in federal funding, secured by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. The project included renovating the existing structure at 1044 Howard Street, expanding the second story, building an outdoor rooftop basketball court, and ensuring the building is seismically sound. “United Playaz for decades has been actively working to solve some of the most challenging problems that our downtown community faces,” said Assemblymember Haney. “They have done the work and they’re helping the people of SOMA take their future into their own hands. And now they have a space that matches the scale of their impact.” "For decades, United Playaz has provided life-changing support to young people, families, and individuals returning from incarceration,” said District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey. “This new center expands their ability to serve, engage, and uplift, and will stand as a lasting investment in the future of our community. I’m honored to support this important project and extend my deepest gratitude to Executive Director Rudy Corpuz and all the partners who helped bring this vision to life.”
United Playaz is a San Francisco-based violence prevention and youth development organization. It provides a comprehensive range of services to prepare vulnerable youth for higher education, employment, and healthy living with a safe, nurturing, and collaborative environment. Back To News |
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