A Volunteers’ Perspective, by Emilie R.

When I learned that Rebuilding Together San Francisco had its eye on the OMI, I knew I needed to volunteer — it offered me the chance to use my camera to assist a great organization and to reconnect with the memories of the “me” who used to live there.

I never referred to the OMI as such — life for me took place in 2 distinct hoods:  Ingleside and Lakeview, each with its own character and feel.  I was raised Pentecostal and attended church at the Voice of Pentecost on Ocean Avenue in Ingleside.  I lived in Lakeview, at 240 Thrift Street, not far from Oceanview Park (where Rebuilding Together will be planting a community garden).

Ingleside has always been a quiet and unnoticed neighborhood in San Francisco.  Its center for me is at Ocean and Lakewood, where Voice of Pentecost is located.  The church’s color and decor are different now, and a lot of the old members are gone, but somehow it remains unchanged.  It still represents the dream of Marilynn Gazowsky, a woman from Arkansas, who felt moved in the 1970s to start a Pentecostal church in San Francisco, to save the city from itself.  It still serves an ethnically and racially diverse working class population.  It is still a constant in my life, even though I no longer attend church — it comforts me that my Ingleside hasn’t drastically changed.

But Lakeview, just over the hill from Ingleside, used to be pretty rough.  I think my favorite Lakeview handle is “Lunatic Village,” coined by RBL Posse, who rapped about the realities of Lakeview dope slinging and cap busting in the 1990s.  Although I lived in Lakeview for ten years only two blocks from Oceanview Park, I think I played there twice, and never unsupervised.  My father was jumped there once — I’ll never forget how vulnerable and pissed I felt when I saw his two black eyes and pockets ripped from his pants.  

When I arrived at Oceanview Park to photograph the plots that Rebuilding Together will cultivate on April 30, 2011, I was happy to see how much the park had changed.  The Minnie and Lovie Ward Recreational Center is beautiful!  And the playground structure is wonderful — it’s shiny and pretty and was busy with much little people activity that day.  

The whole feel of Lakeview has completely shifted.  It feels safer, brighter, and more family oriented.  I know that it will continue to shift — positively — because of Rebuilding Together’s efforts.  I’m so glad I got to return to my old hood and know that it has and will continue to undergo major change, and that I was there to document it.

Written by Emilie R. – Emilie will be taking ‘Before/After’ photographs of a couple Rebuilding Day projects. You can also read more about her story from the “I Live Here: SF” site here, created by another one of our amazing community partners (as well as volunteer & SF resident extraordinaire).

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How long have you lived in the OMI? I have been a resident of the Ocean Ave. corridor for more than 26 years. In that time I have seen a number of significant changes, most of which make the area more desirable.

If you were to describe the OMI in 2 sentences, what would you say? The neighborhood is ethnically diverse, and is home to people from all walks of life. Originally a blue-collar neighborhood, you can now find a good mix of professionals, multi-generational families, retirees and service employees.

As a tour guide for your neighborhood, what are 3-5 great things the OMI can boast about? About a decade ago, beautification began along Ocean Ave., when palm trees were planted and bulb-outs were created to quiet traffic flow and assist pedestrians using the busy avenue. The K-Ingelside is a major streetcar route, serving City College and Ocean Ave. on its way downtown. The neighborhood boasts good public transportation, and it is also convenient to major freeways and state routes. Ingleside got a modern new library in 2009, which has proven to be a base for neighborhood activities.

Currently Ocean Avenue has no large commercial chain stores. However, there are a number of small shops that serve the needs of the residents. Fruit Barn is a regular stop for fresh produce and other goods. It stays open on major holidays, much to the relief of holiday cooks who may need one critical ingredient. Java on Ocean has a broad customer base. At almost any time of the day you will find most of the tables and comfy upholstered chairs filled with students, seniors and other locals.

What do you hope for in the OMI?One thing the area currently lacks is a major supermarket. A Safeway at the intersection of Jules and Ocean closed in the early 1990’s. Lucky used to have a store on Alemany Blvd., but that closed almost a decade ago. Now a large development is underway on Ocean Ave. between Plymouth and City College, which will be anchored by a Whole Foods Store.

The area continues to improve and adapt to the needs of its residents. Although not as fashionable as some parts of San Francisco, OMI is a place where everyone can live comfortably. Residents of the OMI enjoy the best of both worlds. Although they live in San Francisco, they enjoy a suburban lifestyle.

Thanks Connie! This year she’ll be mentoring a new Construction Captain on Rebuilding Day (Saturday, April 30th) at the OMI Family Resource Center – I hear they have great plans for a child-friendly backyard! If you’d like to get involved in our 22nd annual Rebuilding Day, please contact Valerie@rebuildingtogethersf.org.

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