Jasmine Dawson

Deputy Director of City & community partnerships

Jasmine Dawson was born and raised in Oakland and has been with the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families for the past eleven years. She currently serves as the Deputy Director of City & Community Partnerships where she supports the development, implementation, monitoring, and grant making to community-based organizations. In her current role, Jasmine is responsible for overseeing key city and community partnerships and leveraging services for children, youth, and families. Jasmine holds a B.A. in Sociology from San Francisco State University and an M.F.A. in English and Creative Writing from Mills College in Oakland.

What inspires you to do this work?

I am inspired by the young people, teens and young adults who participate and are supported by our community-based organizations’ programs. Hearing the personal journey of so many youth, meeting them and watching them thrive inspires me ever day. I am also inspired by the endless hours of staff time that is poured into youth programming and development.

DCYF’s tagline is “Making San Francisco a Great Place to Grow Up.” Do you believe this? Tell us why.

Yes, because there are tireless advocates that work daily to support this cause, not just DCYF.

Is there a song or anthem that inspires your grind and motivates you to serve our communities?

“Wake Up Everybody” by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes.