March 2024

Dear Friends,



Ricky (video clip here) wowed us the first time he sat down at our piano.  Who knew that this man, whom we often see “hanging out” on the street, could offer music which lifts everyone’s spirits?  …or that “Krista” buses to another neighborhood on the weekends to accompany an ill friend, even though her depression beckons her to hide out in her tiny hotel room? …that “Vince,” in the midst of a mighty struggle with poverty, offered the Tai Chi he learned at The Healing WELL to "create space in the tiny cells" as a volunteer in San Francisco's jail?  

We are all so much more than the challenges we present.  Here at The Healing WELL we honor strengths: we are poets, sages, yogis and more as we also face substance use disorders, mental health challenges, homelessness and poverty.  It is through sharing our stories and expressing our giftedness that we instill hope among one another. Together, we can create a brighter future for all those who call the Tenderloin their home.  Thank you for being a part of The Healing WELL community and helping make this happen.

Sincerely,

Kathy Curran

Director

Developing the Capacity to Serve

Leadership Cohort Graduation

Congratulations to the 9 participants who graduated in March from our intensive 2-month Leadership Program. These individuals focused on public speaking, crisis response techniques, self-care practices and relationship building. They engaged in an array of volunteer activities. They are now offering their skills in several ways inside The Healing WELL and in our larger Tenderloin neighborhood, and look forward to additional development opportunities.

Narcan Training

Helping heal our neighborhood necessitates that we are equipped to respond to the overdose crisis in our community. A practical dimension of this is a training on Narcan administration. Thank you, Maureen and Sal, for leading a session on this essential skill.  

Connecting with Neighbors on the Street

Elks Club Barbeque

The first Friday of every month volunteers from the Elks Club barbeque 200 hotdogs and sausages on the street for our neighbors. Inside The Healing WELL we have platters of additional food donated by Pinterest associates. This delicious food not only helps satiate hunger, but also encourages people to come inside for games and art and community. This month we'll be introducing karaoke. Thank you Elks and Pinterest!

Tenderloin's People Congress

We were honored to welcome the Tenderloin People’s Congress and Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin (seated lower right) for a community meeting. President Peskin listened attentively to the array of neighborhood issues raised, ranging from dangerous intersections, to limited open space and insufficient housing. We look forward to our follow-up meeting as we seek to build a healthy Tenderloin.

Healing Through Art and Nature

Spreading the Word

Please consider making an on-line donation to The Healing WELL. Checks addressed to "The Healing WELL/Community Initiatives" are also welcome. Please mail them to:

The Healing WELL

PO Box 640348

San Francisco, CA 94164

ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE.

The Healing WELL is a fiscally-sponsored project of Community Initiatives (EIN: 94-3255070.)