Dear Friends:

The end of summer marks a convenient time to reflect on recent events at TNDC, and I wanted to write our key stakeholders to share some highlights with you.

The "Y"

With our partner AF Evans Development, TNDC acquired the Golden Gate YMCA building in June. The project will be significant because of the huge contribution it’ll make to addressing San Francisco’s homeless problem; with 174 residential hotel rooms it will be among the City’s largest supportive housing programs. More than housing homeless people, however, its unique impact will come from its huge ground floor medical clinic and wellness center, sponsored by the Department of Public Health.

Building Housing for Families

TNDC is on the verge of completing the acquisition of another huge, high-impact project site. At a half-acre, the parking lot at Eddy and Taylor Streets is one of the largest vacant lots in the Tenderloin, and TNDC is assembling the financing to take possession of it in November to build 100 or more apartments for low income families.

Combined with the recently-acquired lot at 1036 Mission Street, where plans are progressing to build 80 units for families, TNDC is now in the process of developing some 360 units for families, and nearly 40% are reserved for those who are homeless.

People in the Tenderloin are Hungry

The size and location of the lot at Eddy and Taylor makes it possible to think seriously about a truly ambitious project: a Tenderloin grocery store. TL residents are indeed hungry, and even if our feasibility study finds we can’t put it together, the process has stoked in us a real desire to join with others to address “food security” in the neighborhood.

Splish Splash

The coolest, if not weirdest, pool party in town is coming October 10th. TNDC’s 15th Annual Celebrity Pool Toss will feature 10 prominent locals who’ll get wet in order to raise money for children and families in the TL. Restaurateur Bill Higgins, author Robert Mailer Anderson, developer Art Evans and Chamber of Commerce President Steve Falk are just a few of the people who will be finding out first-hand whether the Phoenix Hotel’s pool is heated. Please mark the date and join us for the fun.

Windy and Hot

Enclosed are some of the pictures that the staff and kids from TNDC’s After School Program brought back from their annual College Tour, this year in Chicago. About half of them had never before traveled outside the Bay Area, much less flown 2,000 miles from home. Prior to the trip, program staff organized a 10-week workshop to prepare students for the college application process. The teens were coached on writing personal statements, familiarizing themselves with the various majors, and applying for financial aid. The workshop made a big difference preparing them for the week-long trip.

Gears and Sprokets

Behind the scenes of its more visible programs, TNDC continues building the organizational infrastructure that makes possible the housing and services we provide people in the Tenderloin.

Work on our 2008-2012 Strategic Plan is nearing its conclusion, and I’ll write about it in more detail in the future. For now, perhaps the biggest conclusions emerging from the process are TNDC’s aspirations to grow both its affordable housing and its other community-building programs, and our desire to find more ways to enhance our “touch” in the community.

With six-year term limits, our Board of Directors evolves constantly. We bade farewell to Noreen Beiro, and we welcomed Ed Schultz, Senior Vice President of US Bank, Ancel Romero, Senior Vice President of American Baptist Homes West and Shelagh Little, a consultant and formerly Deputy Director of Homeless Programs for the Department of Human Services.

Getting the News You Care About Most

In a world of abundant information, we want to make every effort to deliver streamlined communications that interest you most. With that in mind, I encourage you to consider sharing your email with us, by using the enclosed card. You’ll be able to see your gifts at work online, print out tax receipts, and be informed of upcoming events that are relevant to you. Eventually, we hope to offer “paperless” options of letters like this one.

TNDC would not thrive without people like you who hold us in your hearts – thank you.

Sincerely,

Donald S. Falk
Executive Director