For over six months, Darlene sat silently outside the office of Rachel, the director of the drop-in center. She rarely spoke, was unkempt, and her only apparent interest was sitting in her chair at the drop-in. Undeterred by Darlene’s initial reserve, Rachel greeted her daily; each salutation was a tentative bridge forward. These greetings slowly evolved from mere hellos to “How are you doing today, Darlene?”—and even a one-word response was hailed as a success. Finally, about a month ago, Darlene opened up.

We are thrilled to announce a generous $10,000 donation from Bailard, a firm dedicated to innovative investment solutions and community engagement. This significant contribution supports our mission to assist San Francisco's most vulnerable individuals and exemplifies corporate responsibility that inspires positive change.

Community Forward is proud to announce that our Chief Financial Officer, John Uselman, was nominated and selected as one of the top CFOs in the Bay Area. John is one of three finalists in the nonprofit CFO category for the prestigious Bay Area CFO of the Year Awards, hosted by the San Francisco Business Times in partnership with Larkin Street Youth Services. This recognition highlights his exceptional financial management and leadership, which have been instrumental to the success of Community Forward over the past five years.

"I’m not here to save; I’m here to empower," asserts Kerry Burns, our new Director of Clinical Services. With over two decades of social work experience, Burns brings a wealth of  expertise and a dynamic approach to her role. Her passion for service is even reflected in her wardrobe - her jacket lining prominently features Wonder Woman. 

In a momentous gathering in April, we celebrated the approval of Proposition A, the $300 million bond aimed at enhancing affordable housing. This landmark initiative allocates $30 million specifically to provide safe housing for women who are survivors of violence, marking a significant advancement in our efforts to tackle homelessness and support vulnerable populations.

“It’s different, the night shift,” Thom shares, speaking over the phone. He works the night shift at Community Forward's 24/7 Drop-in Center. “There’s less activity. It’s about making the guests feel safe, comfortable, keeping things quiet so they can sleep.”