Voices from the Mission
Each story shared here reflects the power of community—of families working to stay rooted, of small businesses built from the ground up, and of students pursuing brighter futures.
At MEDA, we know that progress comes from determination, hard work, and opportunity. These stories show what’s possible when people have the tools and support to reach their goals.
When Arold fled his country after the tragic loss of his wife, his focus turned fully to his young son, Samuel, who was born prematurely and lives with a visual impairment. With wraparound support from Mission Promise Neighborhood partners...
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As a longtime Mission resident and father of two, Leonardo Luna knows what it means to fight for housing stability. His journey with MEDA began in 2010, when he found free tax support while taking English classes at City College.
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Nayeli Bustamante was referred to MEDA by the San Francisco Human Services Agency as she sought to start her own business. With guidance from MEDA’s Fondo Adelante business development program, she was able to plan safely and sustainably—and access capital through an innovative Fondo Adelante loan product.
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Zuly Ortega, a mother of two, turned a lifelong passion for electronics into a mission-driven business on the Mission Street corridor. After sharpening her skills through MEDA’s Mission Techies IT program—and earning certifications in Google IT and CompTIA A+—Zuly took the leap to launch Quetzal IT, offering device repairs and free tech tutoring to her community.
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