Generally when San Franciscans move to a new place they unpack, arrange their new home, find out where the nearest grocery store, cleaners and MUNI stops are, and then get on with their lives. Not so for about one third of TNDC's 3,000 tenants who often need help to find special services to assist them in stabilizing their lives. True to its guiding principle of building community, TNDC has 19 staff Social Workers to help residents find the resources they need and 3 Activities Coordinators to encourage seniors to venture outside their homes and actively participate in the community of their building.

Sometimes a new resident has been homeless for a long time and needs support adjusting to a more stable environment. Often a senior wanting to maintain an independent life requires help to secure meal deliveries or transportation to a doctor's or someone to take them shopping. There are people with disabilities who qualify for aid they are not getting. The problems run the gambit from a simple need for furniture to a need for appropriate referral to mental health services.

Frequently TNDC interdepartmental teamwork is required to successfully assist residents. Close communication and coordination between our Social Workers and Property Management staff is key to identifying tenants who need help.

The overall goal of TNDC's senior support services is three-fold:

• Housing stabilization, getting new tenants settled in and finding needed resources for them.
• Housing retention, helping tenants when difficult problems arise that threaten their ability to keep their home.
• Community building, organizing celebrations, games, and other events for tenants in the community rooms of our buildings which builds communication skills and fosters friendship among neighbors.

An important contribution of the work of our Social Workers is development of self-esteem among residents. Stabilizing in their new home, receiving assistance in keeping it, being part of community, and finding the specialized help to solve their problems makes good TNDC's promise of hope for the future. It gives tenants a sense of achievement and a belief that they can improve and manage their lives.

Fortunately, San Francisco is a city of many resources. Our Social Workers refer residents to a myriad of services including medical, dental, legal, substance abuse, women, immigrants, children and family, food, domestic violence, seniors, disabled, HIV+, plus services for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals. And, that is the short list. TNDC is proud of its work in this area but even more proud of our tenants who build a better life for themselves.