The family-focused organizations in San Francisco. As the First Lady of San Francisco I have had the incredible opportunity to tour and attend events at several amazing organizations in this city. I have been especially touched by the work of those providing much needed services to young people, women, and families, including those most in need. I have spent time with both those working in and volunteering for these organizations as well as those who have benefited from their services, and I have been equally moved by all those involved. Please check out these organizations for yourselves and consider getting involved or making a donation of your own! 

The Women’s Initiative 

Women's Initiative has been assisting high-potential low-income women who dream of business ownership since 1988. Through an intensive 20-session program — offered in English or Spanish — women are enabled to start or expand their business. I have attended several Women’s Initiative events, toured their facility in the Mission district, and also had the chance to visit several graduates’ businesses. This program supports the entrepreneurial capacity of women to overcome economic and social barriers and achieve self-sufficiency. It has proven that women create jobs for themselves and others, access the mainstream economy, and increase their economic self-sufficiency when they are given business planning and financing support. Their graduates have started and expanded over 1,600 businesses from photography studios to catering companies and mechanic shops.

Holy Family Day Home (HFDH) 

Holy Family Day Home is the oldest early childhood education center in the San Francisco Bay Area.  For more than 100 years, Holy Family Day Home has been a pioneer in providing educational development for young children while nurturing positive interaction with their families. Holy Family Day Home, located in the Mission district, is breaking the cycle of poverty for 121 of San Francisco's most underserved children and their families.  The mission is to provide high quality, affordable early childhood education in a stable and nurturing environment thereby offering the children of working families a sound foundation for lifelong development, and continuing a tradition established by the Sisters of the Holy Family. 

San Francisco Homeless Prenatal Program (HPP)

As a new mom myself, I have become increasingly aware of the needs of pregnant women and their families. Perhaps this is part of why I was so touched by the work of San Francisco’s Homeless Prenatal Program when I toured their facility last August. Since 1989, HPP has been serving some of the poorest families in the San Francisco community by providing assistance, education, health care, and advocacy during the transformative time of pregnancy and early parenthood. HPP believes that by partnering with parents in a non-judgmental, empowering way they can help break the cycle of homelessness and poverty for these families so that the children will never end up on the streets.

Raphael House

The first shelter for children and families experiencing homelessness in Northern California, Raphel House provides an environment of loving support where families and children are able to restore and strengthen family bonds as they move toward brighter and more hopeful futures. I am and have always been inspired by the wide spectrum of services offered, including after school tutoring, residential services, and aftercare services that partner with parents to engage the heart and mind of the whole child as they experience the world around then. Raphael House addresses the problem of homelessness from multiple perspectives, ensuring that the needs of all those they serve can be met in an appropriate, nurturing manner. 

Compass Community Services 

Last spring I was lucky enough to tour the Compass Community Tenderloin Childcare Center, which prepares homeless and very low-income preschoolers for Kindergarten, and meet with Compass’ Executive Director Erica Kisch. With a continuum of services, Compass supports over 3,000 parents and children in San Francisco – helping them get off the streets, achieve stability, and create better futures for themselves.  A highly qualified and caring staff provides housing, employment support, mental health and substance abuse services to address barriers to economic self-sufficiency.  Enriched childcare and after school and parent education programs help families work toward breaking the cycle of poverty, while innovative and intensive transitional housing at Clara House reunify children with their parents.

Bayview Child Healthcare Center (BCHC)

The BCHC is Bayview’s first pediatric clinic and offers a full range of pediatric services for low-income children. Last July I had the chance to meet with executive director Dr. Nadine Burke and while I was inspired to learn of her good work I was also shocked by some of the information we discussed. The Bayview Hunters Point area has the highest population density of children citywide. Socio-economically, Bayview is one of San Francisco’s poorest and most under-served communities. The region has alarming medical statistics, including the highest rate of childhood asthma hospitalizations of any area in the city, the lowest immunization rate, and the highest rate of pediatric obesity.  They also have an incredibly low number of pediatricians - 20 doctors for 33,000 residents (compare that with 243 physicians per 33,000 residents in San Francisco’s affluent Marina District). While these are certainly on-going issues in the community, BCHC has had great success in their focused efforts to reduce these disparities in the pediatric population. Because Bayview is home to a low income, predominantly minority population, it is at the cross section of several significant predictors of health disparities. This is a progressive City that possesses plenty of passion on social issues but everyone needs to realize that when one segment of the community is not healthy, none of us are healthy.  It is all of our responsibility to ring the alarm about these disparities, and take action.

The Tipping Point Community

The Tipping Point Community concept is simple - they fight poverty in the Bay Area. This San Francisco based group screens local non-profits in order to find – and fund – those most effectively connecting individuals and families to the services and opportunities needed to break the cycle of poverty and achieve economic self-sufficiency.  Tipping Point’s board underwrites ALL operating and fundraising costs so that100% of every dollar donated goes directly to the best poverty-fighting organizations in the Bay Area. They also provide grantees with the management assistance they need to grow and increase their impact and also let groups choose what they need most to best serve their clients. 

Amy Adams, Actress: Amy Adams is truly adorable in Julie and Julia. 

Meryl Streep, Actress: Considered by many movie reviewers to be the greatest living film actress, Meryl Streep is utterly convincing as Julia Childs in Julie and Julia.