FAQ

Update: Ella Hill Hutch Community Center

Statement from Booker T. Washington Community Service Center Regarding Ella Hill Hutch Community Center

For more than 100 years, Booker T. Washington Community Service Center has served San Francisco families, seniors, and youth with integrity, accountability, and deep community commitment. Over 6,000 vulnerable San Franciscans rely on Booker T. for its essential services every day. Booker T.’s services are particularly critical for the community’s youth as the close of the school year rapidly approaches.

FAQ:

We know there have been many questions and concerns raised in recent weeks regarding Ella Hill Hutch Community Center. We are publishing these FAQs to address those questions directly and transparently.

How did Booker T. become involved in discussions with the City regarding potential operation and management of Ella Hill Hutch?

Collective Impact, the prior operator of Ella Hill Hutch, indicated in early 2026 that it was likely to cease operations in the near future.

In February 2026, the City approached Booker T. to ask if Booker T. would be interested in taking over short-term management of Ella Hill Hutch.

Why did Booker T. say yes to the City’s request?

Booker T. stepped forward to help ensure continuity of services for neighborhood youth, families, and seniors while the City evaluated a longer-term process for the facility. Booker T. has a long track record of successfully running these types of programs. Due to previous and recent experiences with community-based violence in the Fillmore, Booker T. was deeply concerned that the closure of Ella Hill Hutch would leave over 100 families without childcare, dozens of teenagers without summer jobs, and the community’s youth without a safe place to turn. Community members expressed concern to Booker T. that closure of Ella Hill Hutch was likely to result in increased encampments and graffiti and to present general public safety concerns for the senior housing developments.

Was this intended to be a permanent arrangement?

No. The proposal was always intended as an interim 13-month stabilization effort while the City determined a longer-term solution for Ella Hill Hutch. Longer term management of Ella Hill Hutch was to be determined by means of a formal RFP proposal that would be open to all.

Did Booker T. receive a special deal?

No. The City’s proposed $1 per year lease rate was consistent with the lease rate paid by Collective Impact. Booker T. understands that the same lease rate had been charged for many years. It also understands that other nonprofit organizations performing important functions for the City have received the same or similar rate.

Booker T. worked intensively with the City for over two months to negotiate the terms of the interim lease. It invested significant time, human resources, and funds in this effort.

The City committed to temporarily increase existing public funding to Booker T. to fund the additional services to prevent program disruption. Funding is provided to Booker T. on a cost-reimbursement basis, meaning that Booker T. must first incur the cost and secure City approval before receiving reimbursement. In reliance on this increased grant, Booker T. proceeded to enroll 100 families and teens for summer programming, and hired 13 additional staff (educators and workers) to help assure that it would be prepared to begin providing youth and family services on June 15th, 2026.

Booker T. also committed a significant portion of its own funds toward programming, security, safety upgrades, utilities and operations due to years of deferred maintenance at the site.

Did Booker T. have support from the Fillmore community for its proposal to take over interim management of Ella Hill Hutch?

Yes.

As of May 31, 2026, over 500 community members, families, youth, nonprofit organizations, local businesses, and others had submitted letters to the City in support of Booker T. ‘s proposed temporary operation of Ella Hill Hutch. This support was based on Booker T’s established track record of providing critical services to San Francisco, especially the Fillmore and Western Addition.

Was Booker T.’s Executive Director, Shakirah Simley, appointed to lead Booker T. by Sheryl Davis?

No. Simley was hired to lead the Center after a rigorous vetting process by Booker T.’s board of directors.

Booker T. is an independent California nonprofit public benefit corporation and Section 501(c)(3) organization. It is governed by an independent board of directors.

Simley was encouraged by members of the Fillmore community to apply for Booker T.’s Executive Director role after the previous Executive Director left suddenly. After five rounds of screening and panel interviews with Booker T.’s Board of Directors (ten independent professionals including attorneys, business owners, an accountant, and community leaders) and after extensive due diligence, she was selected as the Executive Director in July 2021.

How are Booker T.’s expenditures approved?

Booker T.’s Board of Directors approves and oversees an annual budget that the Executive Director then implements. She cannot exceed budgeted expenses without the express consent of the Board. The Board’s Finance Committee regularly meets to review monthly financial statements.

How are Booker T.’s expenditures and activities overseen to ensure accountability and oversight?

Booker T.’s finances and activities are subject to rigorous independent financial audits. Booker T. is audited annually by an independent third-party national CPA firm, and separately the City. Booker T. makes its IRS Form 990 available to the public. During Executive Director Simley’s five-year tenure, Booker T. has had clean audits. It is also in good standing with all regulatory agencies. Its Board leadership remains actively engaged in Booker T.’s governance, financial oversight, and organizational accountability.

Did Booker T. sponsor an event organized by Sheryl Davis in Washington, D.C. in 2024?

No.

Booker T. sponsored the Congressional Black Caucus conference, held in Washington, D.C. in September 2024.

The City of San Francisco Human Rights Commission (HRC) contracted to sponsor a fireside chat in tandem with the conference. Ms. Davis, in her capacity as Executive Director of HRC at the time, asked Booker T. to provide support for this event. Although Booker T. initially considered providing such support, it ultimately did not do so.

What happens to Ella Hill Hutch now?

The Mayor’s office has announced that the Recreation and Parks Department will take over interim management of Ella Hill Hutch.  

Booker T. stands ready and willing to support Ella Hill Hutch as needed. Booker T. has already hired staff, prepared programming, and enrolled more than 200 children in summer programs. It has secured alternate space so that services can continue for families this summer.

Booker T. remains committed to supporting the Fillmore and Western Addition communities and will continue working diligently with City partners to help maintain critical services for neighborhood families, youth, and seniors.