January Volunteer of the Month – Barbara Jue

Barbara has only been volunteering with RTSF for a year now but boy do we really appreciate her time and hard work! Her consistent and enthusiastic demeanor have supported our Home Safety program operations in a big way – from phone interviews to filing and preparation for Build Days.   We could not have served as many homeowners in 2012 as we did if it wasn’t for Barbara’s continuous!

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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.

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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 »

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 »

Thank You!

As the holiday season approaches and 2012 is ending, we reminisce over the successes and achievements we’ve accomplished this past year, and we realize we have too much to be thankful for. To tell you the truth, we enjoy this great feeling here at RTSF especially after Fall Build Day as we receive thank you letters from all of our happy clients.

On that note, here are my favorite quotes from Thank You letters we have received so far: Read More »

November Volunteer of the Month – Cibele Ortiz

Cibele first volunteered with RTSF in 2007 and has been hooked ever since, not missing a single build day! Cibele has volunteered on 7 project sites, including Fall Build Day, where she led a group of volunteers at Mr. S’s home. Cibele’s leadership skills, construction skills, and overall flexibility with our projects are always greatly appreciated. On Fall Build Day Cibele stepped up to the plate, lead a very successful project and we thank her for that.

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RTSF: 2012 World Series Champs!

Thousands of San Franciscans rushed into the streets Sunday night decked in orange, spraying champagne, and setting off firecrackers. The excited tension that had pervaded the city for the past few weeks finally broke and the result was a euphoric atmosphere of random strangers hugging and celebrating together in the streets of San Francisco. Read More »

Ms. A from the Bayview – A Project Snapshot

The Project: Ms. A and her husband moved into their home in the Bayview District in 1944. Since then, they have raised their 3 children, 10 grandchildren, and more than 20 great- and great-great-grandchildren in their home! Ms. A’s priority is the safety of her family, friends and community members; opening her multigenerational home to community members who are down on their luck. Read More »

My neighbor fell, in her home last weekend…

On Saturday, my neighbor came over to ask if we had seen Lill. Lill is 84 years old, and has lived in her home for 40 years. She lost her husband last December and is living on a small social security income.

We were worried because Lill loves her morning paper, and is diligent about picking it up every morning. It was 3:00 PM and the paper was still in her driveway.

So we called Lill’s daughter-in-law. Later, we heard that Lill had fallen and got stuck for 12 hours before her daughter-in-law arrived and helped her. She’s OK, but I shudder to think of what could have happened if we hadn’t noticed the newspaper. Read More »