Bay Area

San Francisco Opens Linkage Center as Part of Tenderloin Emergency Initiative

“Our work in the Tenderloin requires all of our City departments and community partners working together to address the major challenges we know exist,” said Mayor London Breed. “As part of that work, this Linkage Center will help us create a space for people who are struggling with addiction and other challenges to get immediate support, and then transition into longer term care and housing. This is hard work, and I appreciate everyone joining in partnership to make a difference for the people of the Tenderloin.”

Published

3 years ago

January 23, 2022

Oakland Post

San Francisco Mayor London Breed

Once fully staffed, the Center will serve up to 100 guests at a time connecting people to short- and long-term services, care, and programs

From S.F. Mayor’s Office of Communication

Initial operations commenced at the Tenderloin Linkage Center on Tuesday. The newly opened Tenderloin Linkage Center is an essential component of San Francisco’s Tenderloin Emergency Initiative that is forging a path to promote a thriving community and save lives through overdose prevention and connecting people to care and services.

The center, located at 1172 Market St., will initially operate seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and have reduced capacity due to the impacts of COVID-19 on staffing availability.

The Center will expand to operate 24 hours a day and seven days a week and have the capacity to serve 100 guests at a time.

The Tenderloin Linkage Center is a services-focused location designed to provide a safe, welcoming space for those ready to access San Francisco’s health and human service resources easily and quickly.

Basic services such as hot food; water; hygiene services such as laundry, bathrooms, and showers; personal protective equipment (PPE); and more are available at the Center.

Weekly wellness programs will also be hosted there to provide services like COVID-19 vaccination and testing as well as HIV and Hepatitis C testing.

Additionally, the new Tenderloin Linkage Center will connect people to short- and long-term services, care, and programs. Programs and services include, but are not limited to:

Behavioral health care
Shelter
Transitional housing
Housing assistance
Homeward bound
Sobering, detox and respite
Substance use treatment
Food coordination
Vocational support
Therapy and mentoring
Child and family care
Veteran support

People can self-present to the Center or arrive via vehicle or foot escort from a community partner, if requested.

If City outreach teams, first responders or community service providers encounter people on the street who may benefit from this Center, they can call upon a health or social services partner to provide more information and an escort to the site, if desired. People may come and go freely to and from the Center.

“A drop-in center where people can get off the streets and immediately linked to services, placements and care, without delay or bureaucracy is something we desperately need,” said Supervisor Matt Haney. “The City is facing a deadly, devastating drug epidemic, and we must do everything we can to save lives and provide relief and healing to a part of the city that has been so heavily impacted. The Tenderloin Linkage Center will absolutely support us in doing that.”

“I am optimistic that the new linkage center will provide new and useful services for Tenderloin residents who are battling mental illness and drug addiction,” said Supervisor Hillary Ronen. “I am also watching its success closely to see if it could be converted into a citywide resource as the permanent site of the upcoming Mental Health SF Service Center.”

Tenderloin Linkage Center staff, including escorts, are provided by community-based organizations including HealthRIGHT 360, Urban Alchemy and Project Homeless Connect.

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024, 2024

Published

7 days ago

November 30, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Activism

OCCUR Hosts “Faith Forward” Conference in Oakland

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.
Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

President and CEO of OCCUR addresses the audience at OCCUR Faith Forward 2024 Conference at Resurrection Church. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Oakland Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal (OCCUR) hosted its Faith Forward 2024 Conference on Nov. 8 at Resurrection Church in Oakland.

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12^th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.

Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership. During her remarks, She commended nonprofits making a difference, and shared how she looked forward to representing Oakland and surrounding areas.

Simon also encouraged attendees to continue fighting despite their concerns about the presidential election results. She also cautioned that there may be resources that are discontinued as a result.

“We know the assignment. We have many of the resources right within our own community, and we will be ok,” Simon assured the audience.

The conference led by OCCUR president, Dr. David B. Franklin, also featured panels on funding opportunities, case studies, economic development, sustainable housing solutions, and organizing for action.

“In order for organizations serving the community to thrive, everyone must collaborate, share resources, and not operate in silos,” said Franklin.

Speakers included San Francisco Foundation CEO, Fred Blackwell, San Francisco Foundation FAITHS Program Director Dr. Michelle Chambers, and Kingmakers of Oakland Founder, Chris Chatmon. Guests were briefed on how Kingmakers of Oakland has gone from a budget of zero to several million and is set to acquire 200 acres of property to expand their programs serving young boys. The leadership at the San Francisco Foundation encouraged nonprofits, churches, and community leaders to work together, especially when donations and funding numbers are lower.

Ben Bartlett of Berkeley City Council; Trevor Parham, CEO of Oakstop; and CEO of the Lao Family Community Development, Inc., Kathy Chao Rothberg, inspired attendees with stories about their journeys in the nonprofit sector.

Additional speakers included Deka Dike, CEO of Omatachi; Landis Green, CEO of DGS Strategies; Sasha Werblin, Director of Economic Development, LISC Bay Area; Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid; Faith and Justice Organizer of East Bay Housing Organizations, Ronnie Boyd; and Todd Bendon, Executive Director of Faith in Action East Bay; among others.

The event allowed community leaders, faith-based leaders, and nonprofits to gain Insight on how to strengthen their profits financially, and communally.

OCCUR has served the community for over 70 years supporting the wellbeing of historically marginalized communities with collaborative strategies. For more information visit occurnow.org

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Bay Area

Richmond’s New Fire Chief Sworn In

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” noted Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi,. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

Published

2 weeks ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Chief Osorio (far left) was sworn in at a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Hall on Nov. 15. All photos by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

Richmond Fire Chief Aaron Osorio was sworn into his new role in a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Council Chambers on Friday, Nov. 15.

The crowd included Osorio’s family and friends, rank-and-file Richmond firefighters, fellow fire chiefs from Bay Area agencies, elected officials and community members.

Richmond City Manager Shasa Curl provided an introduction and acknowledged Chief Osorio’s “heroic service to Richmond.”

Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi, presented the chief with a Congressional Commendation, citing his 23 years of serving in the fire service in Richmond in numerous positions.

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” Sandhu noted. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

The chief’s wife, Maria, and two sons Roman and Mateo helped perform the badge-pinning.

Richmond City Clerk Pamela Christian then conducted the swearing-in ceremony.

Chief Osorio thanked his family, colleagues, and city for their support, calling it “very humbling” to take on leadership of an “amazing organization.”

Once the ceremony was done, the chief stated, “I’m ready to get to work.”