Greenager Program
The Greenager Program is a San Francisco Recreation and Park Department and Port of San Francisco youth stewardship and leadership program, supported by the Port of San Francisco. The program was created and designed to offer teens a chance to play an important role in the community by improving the city’s green spaces, raising awareness, creating place-based projects and/or projects based on issues or themes participants value and are interested in.
The Greenager Program is for teenagers that live in or attend a school in the Southeast, Northeast and Tenderloin neighborhoods of San Francisco. Greenagers are trained and provided with multiple leadership opportunities. They facilitate workshops, lead public volunteer service projects, participate in community events, go on fun team excursions and more.
Our goal is to create a safe atmosphere in which youth can learn about the importance of the preservation of our parks and open spaces, voice their concerns about their environment and community, and take action while gaining fundamental job and life skills, push and challenge their perceived limitations, bond with like-minded peers and have fun all in their own backyard!
Quick Facts
Program established in 2012 with a crew based in southeast SF
In 2017, added a second crew based in northeast of SF
In 2023, added a third crew based in the Tenderloin
123 teens have successfully completed the program, 30 have returned as leaders for a second year
Coastal Clean Up site captains since 2013
Engaged with over 530 community members and key stakeholders
Service provided in over 20 different parks and opens spaces in San Francisco
8,767 hours of service to our city’s parks and open spaces, community events and rec centers
Received Board of supervisor’s program commendation on July 29, 2014
Annual sailing excursion with Blue Water Foundation and other fun adventures including camping to get youth outdoors
Program Incentives
Earn paid work experience as a San Francisco Recreation and Park Employee
Greenagers earn $25 per hour
Forge new long-lasting friendships
Gain valuable and transferable job skills
Advance your leadership & public speaking skills
Gain professional work experience
Explore new parks, rec centers & open spaces
Learn about SF’s native flora and fauna
Looks great on your resume
Who can be a Greenager?
To be a Greenager you must meet the criteria below:
You must live in or attend a school in the Southeast Sector of San Francisco (Excelsior, Portola, Bayview, Hunter’s Point, Visitation Valley, Crocker Amazon, or Potrero Hill) or Northeast Sector of San Francisco (Western Addition, Tenderloin and Chinatown); the Tenderloin (Tenderloin Chinatown, Western Addition, Fillmore, and Treasure Island), or you must be referred to us by one of our direct partners.
2.0 GPA minimum may be required to obtain a work permit
First year positions are open for applicants who never completed the program before
Second year positions are open to applicants who graduated from the program previously
Must be able to commit to the full program
How do I apply?
If you have questions about the program, please e-mail sfrpdgreenagers@sfgov.org or call 415-831-6319.
Visit website at: https://sfrecpark.org/1669/Greenager-Program
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