A very San Francisco story
Alicia Roberson and Terri West manage TNDC buildings and live together as domestic partners in TNDC’s Cameo Apartments at 481 Eddy Street with Terri’s 14-year-old son Shon Hall.

Their Tenderloin story began eight years ago when Alicia moved to San Francisco with her son Maurice. “I needed work so I went to the employment program at St. Anthony’s,” she says. “They told me of a TNDC job at the Aarti Hotel (381 Leavenworth) as a desk clerk. I took it and a month later they made me manager.

“Later I became manager of the Cameo Apartments and then took on a second TNDC manager’s job at the Ambassador Hotel.” Referred to as “our trouble shooter,” by some at TNDC, Alicia still manages both residences.

Three years ago, Alicia and Terri met, became partners and moved in together in the Cameo. They live in a one-bedroom apartment with Shon, a student at Francisco Middle School.

“I became affiliated with TNDC through Alicia,” Terri says. “As I got to know TNDC, I liked what I saw. At first I just did volunteer work. Then I applied for work and got my job at the Antonia Manor (180 Turk St.).”

What’s the most frustrating thing about their jobs? “Paperwork!” they both blurt out. “The Cameo is a HUD project so there is paperwork every month about every tenant,” Terri says.

Managing TNDC buildings is not like managing apartments in the Marina. TNDC managers have to be ready to help tenants with all sorts of problems. When asked what they do as managers, Alicia said, “lots of counseling, problem solving, and conflict resolution.”

Residents in TNDC buildings are much more of a community than is usually the case in apartment buildings. “We are social workers, brothers, sisters, cousins, everything,” Alicia says. “Just today, on my way over here for the interview, I had to stop and talk to a young man with a drinking problem. He was a neglected child and needs help.”

“It’s so great to have a meaningful job,” adds Terri. “When you are working to help the lowest of the low income people you feel good about yourself.” Terri has held much higher paying jobs in the private sector but prefers her work with TNDC.

Terri and Alicia were asked if they plan to further their education to help them in their work. “Not me,” says Alicia. “I like what I’m doing. I think God will always help you in the long run. I just come on straight with people. I say to them, ‘this is reality’.”

Terri is interested in education in the field of social welfare. But whatever advanced education she acquires, Terri has no plans to stop working in the Tenderloin.

So, what’s it like to work for TNDC? “Kelly (Cullen, TNDC Executive Director) trusts you to do your job,” says Alicia. “It’s up to you to do it right. If you screw up, it’s on you.

“Kelly is cool.” And she means cooooool.