The day of service builds on Mayor Lurie and First Lady Prowda’s work to bring service, accountability, and change to City Hall, values that have guided both of their personal and professional journeys. The mayor and first lady met while both were working at the Robin Hood Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting poverty in New York City. Their shared commitment to serving others has shaped their lives and public service, with Mayor Lurie founding Tipping Point Community in 2005 to fight poverty in the Bay Area. 

“When we show up for our city, for our neighbors, and for each other, we create a shared sense of responsibility for the place we call home,” said Mayor Lurie. “One City Day reflects our commitment to the values that guided this administration from the very beginning: service, accountability, and change. It is about making service visible, welcoming, and part of how our city moves forward together.”

“In the wake of the pandemic, and in a time when so much of our connection happens online, many of us have felt more isolated from one another than we’d like to admit. Service is the antidote. It brings us back together—on our streets, in our neighborhoods, and alongside others who care about this city as much as we do,” said First Lady Becca Prowda. “Service has always been a part of my life, both personally and professionally. Creating opportunities like One City Day is vital—for families, coworkers, seniors, and San Franciscans who are looking to connect with their neighbors and feel part of something bigger than themselves. As first lady, I want to help rebuild connections in our city and bring people together for civic experiences that are meaningful and joyful.”

One City Day service opportunities will be coordinated in partnership with city departments and community organizations, with options for residents to join existing projects or lead efforts of their own. Initial partners for One City Day include Compass Family Services, Civic Joy Fund, Downtown Volunteer Coalition, HandsOn Bay Area, the Partnership for San Francisco, Refuse Refuse, and the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, with more partners joining the effort. Initial city partners include San Francisco Public Works, the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, the San Francisco Public Library, and the San Francisco Unified School District.

In addition to projects hosted by organizations, individuals or small groups can organize a neighborhood cleanup and join existing projects. Information on how to host or participate in an event is available at sf.gov/one-city-day-saturday-july-11-2026.

“We greatly appreciate First Lady Becca Prowda’s leadership on this special citywide day of service,” said Tanis Crosby, Executive Director of San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. “Volunteerism is critical to our mission. It powers shared responsibility, building connections with each other and helping neighbors across our great city. We’re proud to partner on One City Day.”

“One City Day will invite new volunteers into our fight against housing insecurity, deepen understanding of the challenges our neighbors face, and strengthen partnerships that make lasting change possible,” said Erica Kisch, Executive Officer of Compass Family Services. “When San Franciscans show up to serve, they build the foundation families need to move forward.”

The initiative reflects the mayor and first lady’s core belief that service builds community and brings people together. Today, loneliness is a widespread public health issue, with 20 to 30% of people worldwide and in the U.S. reporting frequent loneliness. Of those who report feelings of loneliness, more than two-thirds don’t feel part of a meaningful group. One City Day, intended to engage all San Franciscans, is a new way to build social connection and community. By lowering barriers to participation and elevating existing efforts, the initiative aims to build a lasting culture of service and expand civic participation citywide.

“One City Day embodies the best of San Francisco—bringing together community volunteers and city crews to clean, green, and beautify our shared public spaces,” said Carla Short, Director of San Francisco Public Works. “We are excited to be joining the first lady in this citywide day of service to build on and expand our partnerships to improve our neighborhoods.”

“Volunteerism has always been at the heart of our parks—neighbors showing up, rolling up their sleeves, and caring for the places that bring us together,” said Sarah Madland, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department Interim General Manager. “One City Day amplifies that energy across our city, opening the door for even more people to connect, contribute, and take pride in the public spaces we all share.”