Action Alerts

 

June 17, 2009

Dear Friends,

It’s been a long and trying few weeks here as we have worked with countless people to restore Hospitality House’s contract that was removed by the Mayor. I’m pleased to report that our advocacy efforts have been successful and the Mayor has informed us that he plans to restore funding to the Tenderloin Self-Help Center in next year’s budget.

If it hadn’t been for the vocal support of so many in the community, this would not have happened! We are so grateful to all of you for your letters, phone calls, rally appearances, and support to us during this time. Our hard work paid off – but we are asking you to continue the fight!

Even though our contract is safe at the moment, there are still numerous vital community-based organizations facing funding cuts. In order to preserve San Francisco’s web of services to poor people, we need to continue to advocate for funding parity for these programs.

Please join us in continuing to advocate for funding to be restored to our partners:

• Caduceus Outreach Services
• Mission Neighborhood Resource Center
• Ozanam Detox
• MAP Van
• SRO Collaboratives
• Daytime Access for Shelters
• Supportive Housing Employment Collaborative
• Supportive Housing Programs
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Programs
• And many more services that are currently on the chopping block!

Next Step: Board of Supervisors Budget Hearing
Monday, June 22 – 4pm
Rally at the Tenderloin Self-Help Center and March to the hearing
City Hall, Board of Supervisors Chambers – 5pm

Call the Mayor’s Office – 415-554-6141
Tell him thank you for saving the Tenderloin Self-Help Center and
ask him to please save other critical services for poor San Francisco residents!

Hospitality House can’t effectively serve San Francisco’s most vulnerable without these programs. Please help us continue the fight for services to poor people in this city.

Thank you again for all you do to support our mission and guiding principles! To get involved, contact Jackie Jenks at 415-749-2184 or jjenks@hospitalityhouse.org.

Jackie Jenks
Executive Director

June 2, 2009

Dear Friends,

You may have seen the front page article of this morning’s San Francisco Chronicle (SF Budget cuts 1,600 jobs, reduces services – by Heather Knight) that featured photos and testimonials about Hospitality House’s Tenderloin Self-Help Center. It is true that Mayor Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget cuts nearly $652,000 from the Tenderloin Self-Help Center. This will close the only remaining adult drop-in center in the Tenderloin serving its most vulnerable residents. It will also reduce services at Hospitality House’s Sixth Street Self-Help Center, Community Arts Program, and will result in the lay-off of at least 11 staff.

The largest impact of this cut is the elimination of easily accessible drop-in services, including mental health and substance abuse services, some employment resources, peer-based counseling and case management, access to basic human needs (e.g., restrooms, laundry vouchers, street respite, hygiene items, etc), and a safe place to be off the streets.

The Tenderloin community has been hit disproportionately by these cuts, including cuts to the Tenderloin Health drop-in center, Hyde Street Community Services’ Club House mental health program, youth programs, child care, and daytime services at neighborhood shelters. In other parts of the city, cuts to mental health and substance abuse services will also significantly impact poor and homeless people. These include the closure of Caduceus Outreach Services and significant cuts to Mission Neighborhood Resource Center, as well as reductions at Conard House, the Progress Foundation, Baker Places, and Community Housing Partnership’s Supportive Housing Employment Collaborative.

The effects of the closure of the Tenderloin Self-Help Center and other community programs will be devastating to the neighborhood! We need your help! Please help our advocacy efforts to preserve the Tenderloin Self-Help Center and other community services that provide a critical link to homeless, poor, and mentally ill people in San Francisco.

Your voice is urgently needed!

Contact the people listed here and please attend the meetings and actions listed. Without you, there will be few services left for those San Franciscans who need them most!

Thank you for your commitment to Hospitality House and the communities we serve!

Warmly,

Jackie Jenks
Executive Director

Please make your voice heard!

Call and/or email the following people and tell them the Tenderloin needs the Self-Help Center!

Mayor Gavin Newsom
415-554-6141
Gavin.Newsom@sfgov.org

Board of Supervisors Budget & Finance Committee Members:

John Avalos, Chair (District 11)
415-554-6975
John.Avalos@sfgov.org

Ross Mirkarimi (District 5)
415-554-7630
Ross.Mirkarimi@sfgov.org

Carmen Chu (District 4)
415-554-7460
Carmen.Chu@sfgov.org


(Photo Credit: Robert Livingston)

And contact the following Board of Supervisors members if you live in their district:

Eric Mar (District 1)
415-554-7410
Eric.Mar@sfgov.org

Michela Alioto-Pier (District 2)
415-554-7752
Michela.Alioto-Pier@sfgov.org

David Chiu (District 3)
415-554-7450
David.Chiu@sfgov.org

Chris Daly, District 6 Supervisor
415-554-7970
Chris.Daly@sfgov.org

David Campos (District 9)
415-554-5144
David.Campos@sfgov.org

Bevan Dufty (District 8)
415-554-6968
Bevan.Dufty@sfgov.org

Sean Elsbernd (District 7)
415-554-6516
Sean.Elsbernd@sfgov.org

Sophie Maxwell
415-554-7670
Sophie.Maxwell@sfgov.org


(Photo Credit: Robert Livingston)

Please join us for one or all of the following actions also!
We need people to come out in large numbers in support of the Tenderloin Self-Help Center.

Wednesday, June 10th - 3:00 PM
Rally at Hallidie Plaza & March to City Hall
Join supporters of the Tenderloin Self-Help Center for a rally at Hallidie Plaza (Market & Powell Street) followed by a March to City Hall

Tuesday, June 16th - 2:00 PM
March to Special Board of Supervisors Meeting about cuts to Mental Health Services
Rally at the Self-Help Center (290 Turk Street) followed by a March to the Belienson Hearing of the Board of Supervisors that addresses budget cuts to Mental Health Services (3:00 PM at City Hall)

Monday, June 22nd - 4:00 PM
March to Board of Supervisors Budget Hearing
Rally at the Tenderloin Self-Help Center (290 Turk Street) followed by a March to the Board of Supervisors Budget Hearing (5:00 PM at City Hall)

For more information on how you can get involved, contact:

Jackie Jenks
415-749-2113 or
jjenks@hospitalityhouse.org

 

290 Turk Street
San Francisco
CA 94102

415 749 2110

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