In accepting the award, SFIC Executive Director Michael Pappas noted the historic role San Francisco communities of faith played in leading the "Sanctuary Movement," the SFIC's underwriting of the film trailer "Sanctuary Rising" (https://vimeo.com/146736382) and ongoing subsequent support for production of the full-length film. Additionally, he highlighted the SFIC's trusted role assisting in the past two decennial United States Census drives, signing an amicus brief in a successful suit brought by the SF City Attorney against the previous Administration for attempting to withhold funding to social service agencies because of San Francisco's "Sanctuary City" status, and broader efforts to provide protection, care and services to San Francisco's immigrant community.
Regarding the SFIC's specific COVID-19 response and recovery measures, Director Pappas reported that for over a year and a half the SFIC has played a critical ambassadorial role in providing our City's 800 communities of faith and religious institutions with credible and real-time information that enabled their leaders to make informed decisions on behalf of those entrusted to their care. As immigrants are among those who find security, value, resources, strength and comfort in those houses of worship and affiliated religious social service agencies, they are among the chief beneficiaries of these efforts. He also noted that the SFIC hosted over 52 "Weekly Online Briefings for Faith Leaders," that highlighted services to the most vulnerable sectors of our City and those immigrant populations most impacted by the Pandemic. Additionally, he re-emphasized the SFIC's early, decisive and vocal condemnation of hate speech targeting Asian-Americans, who were maliciously singled out and victimized. He concluded his remarks by recalling the SFIC's advocacy role for our City's vulnerable and immigrant populations by way of its membership on the San Francisco Economic Recovery Task Force and pledged to diligently and tirelessly sustain those efforts through the recovery.
Support the SFIC and its ongoing efforts to keep you informed by clicking the DONATE button. Thank you!
