Communities of the Outer Mission Organization

Communities of the Outer Mission Organization (COMO) was established by residents, business people and Catholic church pastors in 1973 in response to deterioration of the mostly working-class, Outer Mission district. COMO was a grass-roots organization of over 150 groups including block clubs, area improvement clubs, church groups, and business associations. Aided by paid staff in the early years, members worked collectively on issues of housing, neighborhood improvement, recreation, planning and land use, and police services. Neighborhoods served included Bernal Heights, Cayuga, Crocker-Amazon, Excelsior, Portola and New Mission Terrace.