Friends & neighbors,
As Black History Month comes to a close, we take this opportunity to reflect about how Black History Month offers an important opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the immeasurable contributions of Black Americans, while also honoring the legacies and achievements of generations past, acknowledging centuries of injustice, and confronting injustices that continue to exist today. We must continue to support the ongoing struggle to achieve and ensure racial and economic justice, including organizing for reparations and against policies that do irreparable harm to the Black community.
Since our last newsletter, our resolution urging Governor Gavin Newsom to reinstate, and state legislators to reject, a proposed $1.2 billion in cuts to affordable housing programs and to fulfill Fair Housing mandates for California residents passed unanimously. I also shared that I have asked the Budget & Legislative Analyst to map out what it would take for the City to implement a comprehensive anti-addiction, anti-overdose drug strategy that has been operating successfully in Zurich, Switzerland, for decades. The Four Pillars Strategy
includes four main areas of focus—or pillars— that are meant to address addiction and its short and long-term consequences: prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and enforcement. We look forward to sharing the report in the near future.
Along with our policy work, we also found time to celebrate with some of our district’s incredible residents! We brought in the Lunar New Year in Little Saigon at the first Tết festival in the neighborhood since 2015, and were thrilled to continue the celebrations as part of the amazing 2024 Chinese New Year Parade this past weekend.
I was proud to honor Tiffany Jackson before the Board of Supervisors on February 6. Tiffany is a tireless advocate for unhoused San Franciscans, who has served the community at Hospitality House for more than a decade. Earlier in the month, I attended the Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year celebration for the Tenderloin Clubhouse, and presented this year’s winner, Shada, with a Certificate of Honor. It’s amazing what empowered and supported youth can accomplish in our City, and I know we will see great things from her in the future. The Board also unanimously passed our
resolution renaming a block of Shannon Alley to Veterans Alley -- we look forward to celebrating with the community in the upcoming months!
Stay in touch with the District 5 office by emailing us at PrestonStaff@sfgov.org, calling (415) 554-7630, or replying to this email. I want to share some resources below that include opportunities to gather together, both virtually and in person, to celebrate and reflect on this month’s importance. I’ve included some upcoming neighborhood events and resources below. |
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Dean Preston,
District 5 Supervisor |
TGNC Entrepreneur Mixer
February 27, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
1067 Market Street
Join the The Transgender District for a groundbreaking Entrepreneur Mixer exclusively tailored for trans and gender-nonconforming individuals! This inclusive event aims to foster a vibrant community where like-minded entrepreneurs can connect, share experiences, and build valuable networks. Enjoy an evening filled with engaging conversations, as well as refreshments and snacks that will fuel both your mind and creativity.
Don't miss this unique chance to be part of a dynamic and diverse community. RSVP here.
On The Same Page: Margaret Sexton: “On The Rooftops”
February 27, 6:30 p.m.
African American Arts and Culture Complex (762 Fulton St)
Margaret Wilkerson Sexton discusses her novel, On the Rooftop, the story of a mother whose dream of musical stardom for her three daughters collides with the daughters' ambitions for their own lives––set against the backdrop of gentrifying 1950s San Francisco. Sexton will be in conversation with Dorothy Lazard, Bay Area historian, celebrated librarian and public historian.
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Pizza For Good
March 1st-3rd
Outta Sight Pizza (422 Larkin Street)
Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco, Tenderloin Clubhouse, in partnership with Outta Sight Pizza, is hosting a special fundraiser on Friday March 1st throughSunday March 3rd! For these three days ONLY, 100% of every $5 slice of Chicken Pesto purchased will go to Boys & Girls Clubs!
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Arbor Day Fair 2024
March 9, 2024, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
New Traditions Elementary School (2050 Hayes) |
RAWdance: the CONCEPT series
March 15 at 8pm
March 16 at 3pm & 7pm (*3pm performance includes ASL interpretation)
The Green Room (401 Van Ness)
RAWdance’s celebrated salon serves up a fresh dose of unique, high quality dance in a lavish setting, with a living room vibe. Learn more about the performance here. |
Tenderloin Food Trucks
January 6 through March 30, 2024 (Weds & Saturday), 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Every Wednesday and Saturday through March 30th, Civic Joy Fund is bringing two affordable, yummy food trucks, music and fun to the Tenderloin!
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Scholarships for SFUSD Seniors
The Superintendent’s 21st Century Award will be granted to six graduating SFUSD seniors who exemplify a particular strength in one or more of the characteristics of the SFUSD Graduate Profile. All SFUSD seniors are eligible for this award regardless of citizenship status. Recipients of the Superintendent’s 21st Century will each receive a $2,000 scholarship, be honored at a ceremony on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, and will also be featured in a video. The application form can be found here.
SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT: $2,000 per student (6 scholarships available)
DEADLINE TO APPLY: Friday, March 15, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
For more information, please visit their website.
Nature in the City is Hiring!
Nature in the City is hiring for a part-time Garden Technician. Their gardening program serves private gardens throughout San Francisco, creating habitat sanctuaries for wildlife in cooperation with our clients.
The job description is posted on Indeed at this link. Please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for two professional references on Indeed or email Garden Manager, ken@natureinthecity.org.
DreamSF Applications Now Open!
The DreamSF Fellowship is back for the 11th year connecting immigrant students and aspiring professionals with social justice change-makers in the Bay Area! With the DreamSF Fellowship, fellows gain hands-on experience in direct services, advocacy, content creation, immigration law careers, program management, paralegal work, healing creative expression, community organizing and much more.
Build community and shape your future with the DreamSF Fellowship. Applications are now open for 2024! Learn more and apply now: dreamsffellows.org
COVID-19 and Mpox Resources
Like everyone else, we are continuing to monitor the situation regarding COVID-19 and Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox). Want to find resources? Click here to read about the latest on the City’s COVID-19 updates and resources, and here to read about the latest regarding Mpox
. Please note: the City’s COVID-19 health officer emergency order has expired.
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Survey on LGBTQ+ Older Adults in California
A statewide coalition comprising organizations, service providers, aging agencies, and community stakeholders dedicated to serving LGBTQ+ seniors in California are actively promoting a survey targeting LGBTQIA+ older adults in California, with the aim of gathering essential baseline information pertaining to their health, economic status, and overall well-being.
The survey, available until March 31, 2024, requires approximately 20 minutes for completion and is accessible in four languages: English, Spanish, Tagalog, and Traditional Chinese. Take the survey here.
Need help with a mental health or substance use problem?
To get started with care, call or visit the San Francisco Department of Public Health Behavioral Health Access (BHAC):
1380 Howard Street
M-F 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
888-246-3333
Small Business Vandalism Relief Fund
This grant provides up to $2,000 for vandalism-related costs. Examples of damages include broken windows, broken doors, broken locks, etching on windows, graffiti, and more. Apply here: https://sf.gov/get-grant-vandalism-related-costs-your-small-business-storefront.
For businesses in District 5, we have our own victim assistance program for small businesses impacted by broken windows. Eligible businesses can be reimbursed up to $1,000 of the cost of replacing a storefront window with a maximum of two reimbursements per year. Once you get your citywide funding, if you need the additional $1,000, please reach out to us and we'll elevate it internally.
Food resources: https://www.sfhsa.org/services/food/free-food-locations
For a list of District 5 resources, including Adult and Family Services, Neighborhood Associations, Parks, Schools, and much more, please visit: https://sfbos.org/supervisor-preston-district-information-and-resources
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Neighborhood Beautification Day / Arbor Day
On Saturday, March 9, the annual Arbor Day Fair and monthly Love Our City: Neighborhood Beautification Day volunteer event are planned for District 5 and the kickoff location will be at New Traditions Elementary School yard (2050 Hayes St).
Neighborhood Beautification Day is formerly known as Community Clean Team Day — SF Public Works’ longest running volunteer program which had been placed on hold due to the COVID19 pandemic. This year, the revamped program is back for a 3rd year with more of the rewarding “civic pride satisfaction” the volunteers enjoy -- benefitting all communities throughout the district!
March is very unique compared to our other Neighborhood Beautification Days throughout the year. March is an all-out celebration of trees where we plan a free Fair for the public and plant 100+ trees. On March 9, staff and volunteers will plant 100 trees throughout District 5 and 50 of the trees will be planted in the Tenderloin. This means that we would love to recruit at least 130 volunteers.
Fellowship & Internship Opportunities
Are you interested in learning about city government while fighting to win real, transformative reforms for the working class? Volunteer with the District 5 office! If you’re in college, some credits may apply, depending on your school’s program. Send your resume to PrestonStaff@sfgov.org, and we’ll take it from there.
Learn More About DSA SF
The Democratic Socialists of America is the largest socialist organization in the United States, with over 92,000 members and chapters in all 50 states. DSA believes that working people should run both the economy and society democratically to meet human needs, not to make profits for a few. Check out the San Francisco chapter’s upcoming events here to see how you can help make San Francisco a more equitable city using people power.
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