PCA September Partner of the Month: Jamestown Community Center, San Francisco

Jamestown Community Center has been a cornerstone of the Mission District in San Francisco for over 50 years, providing youth and families with the tools they need to thrive. We sat down with Sports Director Ariel Esqueda to learn more about her journey, the impact of the center, and how Jamestown continues to make a difference in the community.

A Lifelong Connection to Sports and Community

How did you get involved with Jamestown Community Center, and what is your role now?

I’ve been with Jamestown for almost 17 years now. I got involved after graduating from college, looking for something that aligned with my passion for sports and community. Growing up in the Mission District, I played soccer for local leagues, so when I saw the position of sports director open up at Jamestown, it felt like coming full circle. I wanted to make an impact in my community, and soccer has always been a huge part of my family. I’m fortunate to still be here, connecting with families and seeing the difference we make through sports.

The Mission and History of Jamestown Community Center

Can you tell us more about the history of Jamestown and its mission?

Jamestown has been around since 1971, and fun fact: it originally started as a drop-in recreation space to provide a safe place for kids in the Mission District to play sports. I’ve always liked sharing that sports and rec was the first thing Jamestown offered. The Mission wasn’t always a safe neighborhood, and Jamestown was a refuge. Over the years, we’ve expanded to offer a range of youth development programs. Our mission is to equip youth and families with the tools to become productive members of their community. We focus on the whole child, offering emotional, physical, and intellectual support.

We have afterschool programs at local schools including James Lick Middle School, Longfellow Elementary, Cesar Chavez Elementary, and Buena Vista Horace Mann K-8 School. We also offer summer programming and high school programs focused on job skills. It’s a full-circle approach; we see kids grow up with us, and some even return to work for us as adults.

Empowering Girls Through Soccer

Sports seem to play a big role in Jamestown’s programming. Can you talk more about your soccer programs, particularly the Girls Got Goals program?

Girls Got Goals is one of my favorite programs. It started about 20 years ago when a group of middle school girls came to us wanting a space just for girls to play soccer. They felt uncomfortable playing on the boys’ teams, so we partnered with Everett Middle School to create this program. Since then, it has received nationwide recognition and city funding to expand to include elementary and middle school divisions.

This program is about more than soccer. We provide workshops on healthy eating, teamwork, and leadership skills. We want youth who identify as female, trans, and non-binary to feel empowered to see themselves on the field and off, knowing that they have a place in sports. We also make sure they’re exposed to professional soccer so they can see the possibilities. Many of our girls get to meet players who look like them and come from similar backgrounds, which makes a huge difference. Shout out to Bay FC!

Partnering with PCA and Addressing Equity in Sports

How has Jamestown partnered with PCA over the years?

We’ve been involved with PCA for quite some time. Positive Coaching Alliance has been a resource for us to get a lot of training material to use with our own coaches. Our soccer program is volunteer-based, and it is the heart of our department. The majority of our coaches are parents, and the youth development framework that PCA provides has been a great resource, not only through training but with different resources, books, and people that could help us guide our coaches under the youth development lens.

It has also been a connector for new coaches- whether it’s college students who want to tap into the sports world and youth sports, or even professionals who have that experience and want to give back. It’s expanded our network.

We align in our focus to build skills and encourage active and healthy lifestyles. I’ve appreciated that PCA is not like “you need to do x, y and z” to continue our partnership. It’s more like, hey, this is all we have. Take what you need. Let us know what else would be helpful. That’s huge and we’ve valued our partnership over the years.

You are also a founding member of San Francisco’s Youth Sport Equity Task Force. Can you share more about that work?

Yes, I’m part of PCA’s task force working on making youth sports in San Francisco more equitable. It’s a big challenge, but it’s something we need to address. Sports should be accessible to all youth, regardless of their background or skill level. A lot of times, sports are seen as only for the elite, but we’re pushing to change that narrative. It’s about giving every kid a chance to be active, to experience the benefits of teamwork, and to have fun.

Through this task force, we’re tackling important conversations about access, funding, and resources, and I’m grateful to be at the table representing my community. It’s long-term work, but it’s vital to creating a more inclusive sports culture in the city.

Looking Forward: The Future of Jamestown Community Center

What’s next for Jamestown? Any upcoming programs or initiatives you’re excited about?

We’re always excited about the new school year. For the sports department, we’re gearing up for the Girls Got Goals soccer league. We’re hoping to expand, getting more schools involved, and continuing to provide mentorship and exposure to higher-level soccer. We want to show these girls that there’s a path for them in sports, whether it’s playing professionally or simply building confidence and life skills.

We’re also focused on supporting our volunteer coaches. Most of them are parents, and they’re the heart of our programs. We’re finding ways to make their jobs easier and provide more resources so they can be the best coaches for our kids.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

It’s Hispanic Heritage Month. How does Jamestown Community Center celebrate?

Hispanic heritage is part of our culture year-round at Jamestown, but this month, we put an extra spotlight on it. We do workshops that highlight Hispanic leaders, especially athletes, so our kids can see role models who look like them. We’re also excited to celebrate cultural traditions like Día de los Muertos and encourage pride in our community’s rich history.

What would you say is important for us to know about the intersection of Hispanic/Latinx Culture and Athletics in San Francisco?

There’s a lot of heart and passion!  Whether it’s the youth or the parents, there’s an infectious energy that comes from sports in the Hispanic community, and we want more kids and families of Hispanic backgrounds to have exposure to playing and being active. There are many young kids who are playing as soon as they get out of the womb, and they’re even adults who continue to play fútbol almost religiously every Sunday. A lot of people call it the ‘Papi League’ here. Whether it’s soccer, a different sport, or simply just being more mobile, being physically active is healthy for all, and we love to see it. 

Final Thoughts

Is there anything else you want people to know about Jamestown Community Center?

Jamestown is all about community. We’re here to support our youth and families in whatever way we can, whether it’s through sports, job skills, or emotional development. We want every kid who walks through our doors to feel empowered and capable of achieving their dreams. That’s what keeps us going every day.

The Jamestown Community Center is more than just a place for kids to play sports; it’s a lifeline for the Mission District, providing opportunities for growth, learning, and community building. Under the leadership of passionate individuals like Ariel Esqueda, Jamestown continues to inspire and uplift youth and families, creating a brighter, connected future for all involved.

Interested in partnering with PCA? Click here to learn more!