July Newsletter

Dear Friends,

I keep picturing the elation on Erling Haaland’s face as he banged the drum after Norway’s victory over Brazil during the World Cup matches. I know the power of a beating drum; I see it on “Dale’s” face as he strikes the bongo on the sidewalk in front of The Healing WELL during our weekly drum circles. The release, joy, strength, peace - it’s all there as Dale is transported away from his cancer and dementia and poverty - and into wonder.  What a gift it is to be a part of this community of healing.

The photos below reflect some of our work over the past two months. We're also announcing our annual fundraiser at the Roxie Theater on Sunday, October 4: “The Power of the Second Act.” With this, we celebrate the transformational power of music and singing. I hope you can join us. Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Kathy Curran, Director

COMMUNITY BUILDING

Bouquets of Gratitude

It was stunning! As part of “I Love Tenderloin Week,” we hosted our annual community appreciation event with the support of Glowing Flowers, Flowers by Desiree, Henry’s Place, Mele’s Catering and the McNabb Foundation. Our neighbors arranged bouquets, enjoyed singing and food, and shared our gratitude.

Know Your Rights

One of our beloved community members, born in the East Bay, was stopped and roughly interrogated by ICE agents in front of his apartment building in San Francisco a couple months ago. The experience was traumatizing.

Among our neighbors, fear and terror persist. Consequently, we hosted another “Rights” workshop with our partners at PODER. The event welcomed Tenderloin neighbors from around the world, including English, Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, Farsi, Vietnamese and Tigrinya speakers.

MEETING NEEDS

Free Food Fridge

The Healing WELL was selected to receive a “Free Food Fridge."  Three times a week we receive donations from markets and businesses with excess food to share.  Our weekly grocery bags for our room-bound neighbors, food boxes for neighborhood families, and donations on our “Table of Plenty” are even more robust now.

Lake Merritt

24 community members piled onto BART a for our July “Healing Through Nature” excursion. Lake Merritt in Oakland was particularly beautiful that day - sparkling water, rolling green hills, and a stunning blue sky. So many Bay Area jewels are accessible by public transportation!

VOLUNTEERING

Loteria

Every two weeks our Spanish-speaking neighbors gather at The Healing WELL to play “Loteria” (BINGO) and to sing Karaoke together. We’re deliberate about creating opportunities which strengthen community, knowing that it’s through positive relationships that healing occurs and hope arises. Special thanks to the volunteers from DOLBY Labs who often join us.

We welcome corporate and group volunteers, especially for special events. Please email: Ale, our events organizer.

The Power of the Second Act

Register today for our annual fundraiser at the Roxie Theater on Sunday afternoon, October 4!  

Collaborations

Neighbors

How fortunate we are to have good neighbors! Earlier this month about 15 staff members from The Healing WELL and Glide gathered to brainstorm concrete ideas about how we can better collaborate in service of our neighborhood. Shared referral processes, joint trainings, and more co-sponsored programs and events on the 300 block of Ellis are on the horizon!

NAMI

Congratulations to the NAMI “Peer to Peer” course participants who earned their certificates this week.  The Healing WELL hosts this 8-week educational program for adults living with mental health conditions, providing them with tools and peer support to manage their mental health.  We are honored that our staff member Howaida, pictured here at a NAMI walk-a-thon, facilitates this group.

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.)