Farewell Melissa, Our Awesome Outreach AmeriCorps Member

There are so many amazing things about having AmeriCorps members spending a year of service with us – their enthusiasm for our work, volunteers and clients, a new perspective on our challenges or their individual strengths that always results in capacity building here at RTSF. But I have to be honest – the least amazing part is when their term comes to an end and they move on, whether it’s to other jobs, graduate school and other cities, it’s always a little sad. This Friday marks Melissa’s last day with RTSF, so sad. Confession: I’m awful at goodbyes (in fact I’m more of a ghost-out* gal) but Melissa has been such an amazing asset to the Outreach Department (of 2) over here and I just couldn’t pass up this opportunity for RTSF to brag about all her great work. Here is what our coworkers had to say about working with Melissa over the last year: Read More »

December Volunteer of the Month – John Calvello

There’s something about great feats of strength or significant accomplishments that put me in awe. The level of awe is directly proportioned to how much of how little I can comprehend how the incredible act was accomplished. For example I am in awe of Olympians and their incredible acts, but I am even more in awe of an artist who can turn a sheet of plain paper into a life like 3D work of art. How in the world is that possible? Another group of people I am in awe of is the small group of dedicated souls who volunteer with us year round. These Home Safety Heroes, as we like to call them, make themselves available on an ongoing basis throughout the year and are the life blood of a program that provides critical safety repairs to hundreds of people a year. I am in awe of their collective commitment and compassion for those we serve. But I am even more in awe of a particular Home Safety Hero: Mr. John Calvello.

Read More »

Lyon-Martin Health Services- A Project Snapshot

The Project: Lyon-Martin Health Services (LMHS) has been in the same building since the early 1980s: they don’t have enough space, no renovations have been completed since the early 1990s,  the carpet needs to be removed and replaced with hospital-friendly floors. Elizabeth, the Clinic Director explains, “Everything feels run down, it feels like a disrespect to our patients. Especially for a population historically marginalized. People feel better about the care they’re receiving if the building looks nice.” Read More »

Ms. L from Bernal Heights- A Project Snapshot

The Client: Ms. L has been living in her home for thirty-six years.  She loves to do arts and crafts with her young granddaughter, as well as volunteer at different organizations in her spare time.  Currently, Ms. L works as an in-home care taker for the elderly, sometimes days at a time.  She loves helping others, and in return often puts her own needs on the back burner.  This is where we come in, helping her with landscaping, organizating her belongings, and basic repairs on her home. Read More »

A Brush of Inspiration

How much difference can a fresh coat of paint really make? Well, according to residents and businesses along a four-block stretch of Germantown Ave. in Philadelphia, nothing short of a complete transformation. A merchant corridor that was once vibrant, this area is now crowded with abandoned and boarded up buildings, piles of trash and crime. However, “Philly Painting” as the project by artists Haas & Hahn is called, has given this struggling neighborhood a complete make-over, including a radiant sense of identity for the neighborhood, the opening up of several new businesses and attracting tourists to see the murals. Read More »

Mr. R from Golden Gate Heights – A Project Snapshot

The Project: Mr. R is not only a lifelong San Francisco native, but he can say one thing not many people can: he has lived in his current home for his whole life. Built in 1948, the home overlooks the city (on days where the fog isn’t overtaking the view!) and is surrounded by a lovely garden that Mr. R himself, a former landscaper, grows and maintains. Read More »

The Bayview Beacon (at Burton High School) – A Project Snapshot

Client: The Bayview Beacon Center, a program of the Bayview YMCA, is dedicated to improving the lives of children, youth and adults by providing educational, recreational and support services for free to the community. Part of a city wide network of Beacon Centers of 8 in all, the Beacon Initiative is a public-private partnership aims to transform public schools into youth and family centers that become a beacon of activity for the surrounding neighborhood. For more info on this awesome initiative and the other locations, check out the website HERE. Read More »

Wells Fargo is Well To Do!

Many of us know the name Wells Fargo and their tag line, “Together we’ll go far.” What you may not know is that here in San Francisco, Wells Fargo employees are getting involved in the community; they are delving deep into the neighborhoods serving side by side with other organizations.  Recently, a group of 11 volunteer from the Wells Fargo Home Mortgage team spent four and a half hours at the Bayview Mission.  Read More »

Highway to the Danger Zone

It’s that time of year again. Fighter jets overhead, Wasp-class amphibious assault ship parked outside the window… and the America’s Cup World Series unfolding just a few feet away. All the makings of a traffic jam of epic proportions—how’s that for a danger zone? Read More »

October Volunteer of the Month – photographer extraordinaire, Michele Rider

Although Michele jokes that as long as there’s tasty food and cold beers on hand, she’ll be there, I know that the work we do and the impact we have is a huge motivator for her to give so much of her time. I had a chance to talk to Michele Rider, our October Volunteer of the Month, about why she volunteers and here’s what she said:

Read More »