About us

The Council represents the lived experiences of District 9 youth—those eighteen and under who live in or attend school in the district—to the District 9 Supervisor, local nonprofits, activists, city officials, and the public, and advocates for policy changes it believes will benefit youth. It also advises the Supervisor on legislation and policy decisions that affect District 9 youth, whether on its own initiative or at the Supervisor’s request. The Council maintains special focus on SFUSD students, youth of color, low-income and undocumented youth, immigrant and refugee youth, unhoused youth, youth affected by violence or the juvenile system, youth with disabilities, youth affected by substance abuse, and other marginalized groups.

  • The Council meets on Wednesday afternoons, with exceptions, given that SFUSD schools are in session—from late August to late May, with specified exceptions—at the Boys and Girls Clubs Mission Clubhouse.

    In meetings, we discuss local policy, take action via collaboration with organizations and policy experts, and brainstorm advocacy items.

  • Members are selected through an application process. No grades or experience are required. Applications for the 2026-27 cohort will open in the next couple of months, so please come back to this website periodically!

    As per the Bylaws, Membership is open only to:

    • Students enrolled in any District 9 school in the seventh through twelfth grades;

    • District 9 residents between 13 and 18 years old or enrolled in seventh through twelfth grade;

    • District 9 residents enrolled at a Bay Area college or university through the second year of attending college or university;

    • Persons enrolled in seventh through twelfth grade who, regardless of residence or school, spend a significant amount of their lives in District 9 and can attest to its issues.

  • In June 2024, Inaugural Chair Max authored a 12-page proposal to present to Supervisor Jackie Fielder & community nonprofits. He founded the council with help from Calle 24 Latino Cultural District Executive Director Susana Rojas, D9 Legislative Aide Jennifer Ferrigno, Boys & Girls Clubs Mission Clubhouse Director Kate Pfaff & Assistant Director Tarquin Gaines, SFMTA Equity Engagement Coordinator Lawrence Festin, sister Gabby Trujillo, eventual Vice Chair Adriel Oyagata, Youth Empowerment Fund Director Susy Dubon, SF Youth Commission specialists Joshua Rudy Ochoa, Alondra Esquivel Garcia, and Joy Zhan, the San Francisco Public Library, and the Portola Neigborhood Association. The council began meetings in August 2025 after planning.

    Thank you to the folks who have made our vision possible! — Max

  • Contact the council at d9youthcouncil@gmail.com or email the Chair mtrujillodiaz26@bayschoolsf.org for all questions and inquiries.

    For all the information on the council, we recommend you review the bylaws: They are the council’s “mini-constitution.”