TAKE OUR SURVEY!
SOMCAN is conducting a survey about the housing needs of people living in San Francisco. We will compile the data from this survey into a report that we will use to 1) advocate for the preservation and expansion of affordable housing in San Francisco, and 2) enable low-income people, immigrants, and people of color to live close to employment, transit, and essential services.
Anyone who lives in San Francisco and is at least 18 years old can take the survey!
The survey is available in five languages:
ENGLISH
FILIPINO
CHINESE
SPANISH
VIETNAMESE
Please reach out to Zachary Frial at zfrial@somcan.org if you have any questions.
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SF Rent Board Listening Session with Filipino tenants
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Bayanihan Community Center
1010 Mission St., San Francisco
Join us for a community listening session to share your experiences as a San Francisco Filipino tenant and help shape how the SF Rent Board serves the community.
At this listening session, you can:
- Share your thoughts, experiences, and concerns as a San Francisco tenant.
- Learn about the SF Rent Board's programs, services, and processes.
- Provide feedback on how the Rent Board can better support tenants.
Light food and refreshments will be provided.
For more info., please contact Angelica at acabande@somcan.org or call (415) 255-7693
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SOMCAN invites you to attend a Fire Safety Workshop on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 5:30 PM at the Bayanihan Community Center, 1010 Mission St.
Join us for an informative session led by the San Francisco Fire Department's Community Outreach Education team to learn essential fire safety and emergency preparedness skills.
The workshop will cover home fire prevention, escape planning, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, what to do if you're trapped by smoke or fire, and an introduction to the Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT).
It also includes a hands-on fire extinguisher demonstration using an indoor electronic simulator.
To confirm your attendance, please call or text Silay at (510) 676-3842.
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WE WON A PEOPLE'S BUDGET!!!
On June 26, the Board of Supervisors rejected a budget that would slash the services that everyday San Franciscans rely on to live in this city. They instead supported a PEOPLE'S BUDGET.
While there's still more work ahead—not every proposed cut has been restored, and next year's budget challenges remain—we're taking a moment to celebrate this important victory.
As a proud member of the People's Budget Coalition, we want to send a THANK YOU to our SOMCAN members, community partners, and allies who stood with the SF People's Budget Coalition.
Together, we've shown what's possible when we collectively come together to fight for a San Francisco for ALL.
Click HERE to learn more about what the SF People's Budget Coalition members won back for our communities.
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Get to Know Flex Alerts
When the summer heat kicks in, our energy grid works overtime, especially in the late afternoon and early evening. That's when demand peaks, and the grid needs a little help staying balanced.
A Flex Alert is a voluntary call to reduce electricity use during peak hours, typically between 4-9 p.m. when California's power grid is strained due to high demand. Flex Alerts are issued by the California Independent System Operator to help maintain grid stability and protect essential services for vulnerable community members.
Small steps like waiting to run large appliances like the dishwasher can make a world of difference during a Flex Alert and help reduce strain on the grid. When you participate, you're not just easing demand on the electrical system—you're also supporting seniors, families with young children, and anyone who depends on reliable power to stay safe and healthy.
Here's how to participate:
- Set your thermostat to 78°F or higher
- Delay using major appliances
- Consider visiting a cooling center or library if you need a break from the heat
So next time a Flex Alert is issued, think of it as your chance to flex your energy-saving skills! Sign up for Flex Alert notifications at https://energyupgradeca.org/flex-alert and join a community that's keeping California's energy system strong and sustainable, one smart move at a time.
| | Help Us Build a Strong and Inclusive SOMA | | Since 2000, SOMCAN has been dedicated to nurturing the lives of youth, families, workers, and individuals across our community. As a multi-issue, multi-strategy organization, we address critical needs—from tenant rights and community planning to Filipino language access and workers’ rights. Our work is rooted in providing culturally competent, direct services including tenant counseling, family support, youth empowerment, and employment assistance. | | |
At the heart of SOMCAN’s mission is a deep commitment to uplifting the voices of immigrants, people of color, and low-income communities. We ensure these voices are not only heard but centered in local policy-making, holding civic institutions accountable to the communities they serve.
Few organizations take such a holistic and grassroots approach to community-building. Through leadership development, organizing, and direct services, SOMCAN continues to play a vital role in strengthening the SOMA neighborhood and the broader San Francisco Bay Area.
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We stand firmly with our members and are not afraid to take action when our community calls on us. To continue this critical work and uphold our values, we need your support.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. Your contribution directly supports programs that empower our community and create lasting change.
Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive San Francisco.
| | Free Gas-to-Electric Appliance Replacement | | |
FREE Appliance Upgrade for SF Residents!
Replace your gas stove, heater, or water heater with clean electric appliances -- 100% FREE.
- City and State Programs
- No immigration questions, No SSN required
- Healthier air at home
Limited spots! Check eligibility today.
Contact Teresa – SOMCAN
Call at (415) 574-7143 or email at tdulalas@somcan.org
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CALLING ALL LGBTQ+ FILIPINO OR FILIPINO-AMERICAN ADULTS
This study aims to better understand how LGBTQ+ Filipino adults experienced acceptance within their families while growing up, and how these experiences relate to their sense of identity today. The study also explores experiences related to internalized stigma and religious stigma.
Eligibility:
• Must be 18 years - 30 years of age
• Identify as LGBTQ+
• Identify as Filipino or Filipino American (1st generation or 2nd generation)
• Currently reside in the United States
Compensation:
Participants will have the option to enter a raffle to win one of several gift cards. Raffle entry is collected through a separate link and is not connected to survey responses.
Survey Link:
https://alliant.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3CrISvzPPlq025E
Approved by Alliant University Institutional Review Board
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at kzara@alliant.edu.
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Join us on Friday, July 17 at 6:00 PM at Bindlestiff Studio for QUEER as FUCK: Flashbacks!, a benefit event honoring ten years of queer and trans storytelling, artistry, and community.
We're bringing together artists, audiences, and alumni from across QAF's history for an evening of staged readings, archival screenings, artist interviews, food, drinks, raffles, and the chance to reconnect with the people and stories that have shaped the collective over the last decade.
Hosted by Aimee Espiritu, the evening's talk-show-style program will feature conversations with QAF artists alongside staged readings and archival screenings of beloved works from throughout the collective's history.
Your ticket includes admission to the event, one meal ticket, and two raffle tickets. Additional food, drinks, and raffle tickets will be available for purchase throughout the evening.
Come celebrate ten years of QUEER as FUCK — and help ensure there are many more to come!
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SoMa Under Freeway Community Space Planning
San Francisco Public Works is excited to announce community outreach is underway for a new community space in SoMa.
The project study area includes the Caltrans parcels between 4th and 6th streets, between Bryant and Harrison Streets, as well as the adjacent public right of ways.
Centered on community input, the project will develop a vision for a new open space tailored to the needs of the SoMa residents – one that may include passive and active recreation, community programming, and green stormwater infrastructure.
This project effort is funded by a grant from the Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program, under the category of Climate Adaptation.
Be a part of this project and help shape this future open space! Join us at our first community meeting on Wednesday, July 22nd.
| | SOMCAN's Direct Service Programs | | |
All our services are in Filipino and English.
Make an appointment now!
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Looking to Get Involved?
Learn more about how you can support the SOMA community.
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