Dear Friend,
Spring is in the air, and we have so much to celebrate.
Last month, we opened our Howard Street doors to celebrate early supporters and welcome new ones to The Arc SF’s We Are the Future capital campaign. Read more below to learn about the interactive experience guests took part in and watch the video that shares our “why.”
We have also begun highlighting some of those early supporters, including our Board Chair, Leah van der Mei. Keep reading to hear her “why,” and take a moment to reflect on your own.
On March 12, we celebrated The Arc SF’s Annual Breakfast. This year’s theme was The Next 75. That’s right, The Arc San Francisco is 75 years old, and we are just getting started. Find out how much we raised below and watch the featured video that reflects on how far we’ve come and where we are headed.
We also have an exciting update on a familiar face. Read on for Terrell McClanahan’s good news.
As spring brings new beginnings, we are reminded how grateful we are for this incredible community. These campaigns, these celebrations, each new job, and every “why” shared are only possible because of you.
Thank you for being part of the last 75 years. We look forward to what we will build together next.
With gratitude,
Kristen Pedersen
Executive Director
| | Opening the Doors to Our Capital Campaign | | |
On February 3, we opened the doors at our Howard Street location to supporters, community members, and friends to celebrate a major milestone, the launch of the public phase of The Arc SF’s We Are the Future capital campaign. Our $3.3 million campaign is focused on one urgent goal, making sure fewer people have to wait for services.
Guests took part in an interactive experience that offered a powerful glimpse into life on our waitlist. Through a roll of the dice, they navigated barriers many people face when seeking support, including bureaucracy, transportation challenges, and limited access to services. This experience reflects the real and often unpredictable challenges people face when trying to access care.
Today, hundreds of adults with developmental disabilities and their families are still waiting for services. For many, that wait can mean months or even years without access to essential services, connection, and support.
Campaign funds will help shorten the waitlist, expand programs, and retain the dedicated staff who support participants every day. Thanks to the generosity of early supporters, we are already 92% of the way to our goal and close to the finish line.
Now we invite our community to help carry this momentum forward and ensure more people can access opportunity, connection, and advocacy without waiting.
| | | Watch the campaign video below to learn more about We Are the Future and the impact your support makes. | | Meet Capital Campaign Donor: Leah van der Mei | | | | |
Leah serves as Board Chair at The Arc SF and has been a longtime partner of our Workforce Development program.
As an early donor to the Capital Campaign, she shared why this work matters to her:
“I support The Arc San Francisco because, now more than ever, we need to build communities where everyone belongs and has opportunities to succeed.”
| | | Thank you, Leah, for your leadership and support. | | The Arc SF Annual Breakfast: The Next 75 | | |
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Annual Breakfast. With more than 200 guests in attendance, including community members, corporate partners, longtime friends, and generous sponsors, it was a reflective morning celebrating our theme, The Next 75.
Hosted by Executive Director Kristen Pedersen and self-advocate Gaby Carcamo, the morning show-style program opened with a heartfelt tribute to former board member Bruce Francis, honoring his lasting impact on the disability community. Throughout the program, they were joined on stage by The Arc SF staff and participants, who shared stories that reflected the organization’s deep roots and the bright future ahead.
Guests also enjoyed a moving short film featuring archival footage that highlighted The Arc SF’s past, present, and future. A special thank you to Flipbird Films for creating this beautiful piece. If you missed it or would like to watch it again, you can view the film above.
And of course, breakfast would not be complete without the wonderful team from The Arc SF’s Star Cafe, who once again helped serve the buffet and made the morning feel extra special.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we raised over $100,000 in support of The Arc San Francisco’s programs and advocacy work. We are deeply grateful to our generous sponsors and to everyone who attended and helped make the morning such a success.
Thank you for celebrating with us and for helping shape the future of The Arc San Francisco. There is still time to be part of the momentum. You can still give and support The Next 75.
| | Thank You Our Sponsors Supporting The Next 75 | | Great Employees Are Not Hard to Find. | | Terrell accepting his Employee of the Year award . | | |
You may remember Terrell McClanahan from our 2025 summer donation appeal, where we shared his perseverance and journey toward meaningful employment. That same year, he was recognized as Employee of the Year at The Arc SF’s WorkLife Awards, a testament to his dedication and skill.
Today, we are thrilled to share that Terrell has accepted a part-time position with the San Francisco Foundation as a Maintenance Associate. In this role, he supports daily operations by preparing meeting spaces, maintaining shared areas, and helping keep things running smoothly. While all applicants were impressive, Terrell’s experience, personality, and initiative made him the best fit for the role.
At The Arc San Francisco, we believe everyone deserves the dignity, purpose, and independence that come with a good job. This opportunity came through a community connection, supported by The Arc SF’s Workforce Development team, showing how one connection can lead to meaningful employment.
If you or someone you know is hiring, we would love to connect you with talented candidates. Please contact Aja Lawson, Associate Director of Workforce Development at alawson@thearcsf.org.
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The Arc San Francisco I San Francisco I Marin County I San Mateo County
Main Campus: 1500 Howard St. SF, CA 94103 | 415.255.7200 | www.thearcsf.org
OUR MISSION To partner with adults with developmental disabilities as they design their futures and transform our communities through lifelong learning and self-determination.
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