For the last 28 years, the cornerstone of TNDC's work has been the belief that the solution to homelessness in our neighborhood is to offer permanent, stable housing rather than temporary shelter. Because low-income communities often have special needs, our unique approach to supportive housing combines affordable and safe home environments with voluntary on-site social services, fostering stable resident communities and boosting the chance of success for our residents.
We’re proud of the achievements our social workers and after-school program coordinators have made since TNDC's Tenant Services began operations in 1993. Their services have broadened to address the individual needs of a diverse tenant population, including emancipated youth from the foster care system, families on tight budgets, people suffering from HIV/AIDS, the formerly homeless recovering from addiction or suffering from mental illness, and seniors who are able to maintain independent living while aging with dignity.
“A lot of our tenants have a history of homelessness,” said Delene Rankin, Social Worker Unit Manager. “But at TNDC, they can start to build a sound, consistent housing history, and finally find their own secure homes. For some, when they receive their keys they tell me it is the first time they have ever had a key before.”
As former TNDC Executive Director Bro. Kelly Cullen once said, “Every floor in our buildings is a community.” Tenant Service’s Community Events create a safer home environment by maintaining a balance between social celebrations like birthday parties with cultural events that share differing backgrounds and experiences. At Tenant Meetings, residents give their feedback and participate in the decision-making process in their building. “People get to know their neighbors and build friendships and trusting relationships, which leads to looking out for each other,” said Delene.
TNDC’s Tenderloin After-School Program (TASP), open six days a week and free to all who apply, addresses the need for a safe, supervised space for these children to play on these city streets. Through recreational outings, academic support, and job and leadership training, TASP has enriched the lives of the children we serve and helps them pave the way for a bright and successful future.
Here are some accomplishments we are proud of from TNDC’s fifteen years of Tenant Services:
- TNDC’s Social Work Unit has grown 425% in 10 years.
- 8 languages are spoken by TNDC Social Workers and 4 languages are spoken by TASP staff
- 15,000 referrals to Community Service Providers have been provided to our residents by TNDC social workers.
- 104 school graduations for children in our afterschool program have been attended by TASP staff.
- 11 TASP participants have been hired on as TASP youth workers.
- 2,306,978 lbs of food from the San Francisco Food Bank has been distributed to residents who need help making ends meet.
- $38,000 has been awarded to TASP participants from the TNDC/TASP Educational Scholarship Fund.
- Over 4,000 community events have been facilitated by TNDC social workers, including 300 cultural celebrations, 300 bingo games, and 1,000 holiday congregate meals.
- 12 Health and Wellness Fairs have been organized to serve tenants and residents of the Tenderloin community.
- 38 campuses college campuses have been visited on TASP the college tour.
- 200 birthday parties have been thrown for TNDC tenants.
- 250 tenant’s lives have been celebrated with memorial services.
- 3,432 pizzas have been served at TASP by Escape from NY Pizza.
- 200 Holiday Trees have been decorated in TNDC buildings and 4,000 holiday gifts have been distributed to TNDC tenants.
Everyone deserves the dignity of a safe, secure home. Because of the efforts of TNDC’s Tenant Services, more than 2,500 low-income individuals and families in this rough neighborhood can rely on the stability that a supportive home environment provides.
