2009 Accomplishments

Be sure to check out the accomplishments of Dolores Street's programs in 2009!

Dolores Housing Program
Richard M. Cohen Residence
SF Immigrant Legal & Education Network
Mission SRO Collaborative
Community Planning & Development

Dear Friends of Dolores Street Community Services,

First, I hope this letter finds you and your family and friends well. This past year has been a journey of success and challenge for us at Dolores Street Community Services. As a community-based organization we see the negative impacts the economic and political climate are reaping on our constituents and community. From out of work day laborers to families forced to live in Single Room Occupancy Hotels to terrified families being torn apart by unjust immigration laws, we confront these challenges on a regular basis.

Often we are frustrated and heartbroken at the conditions we see, but rarely are we defeated. As an organization we are inspired by the resiliency of our participants and clients, as well as their leadership and commitment to social justice.  As the Executive Director, I am also witness to the committed staff of Dolores Street with their tenacity, talent and love of their community.

Dolores Street Community Services strives to be true to our mission as a social service and social justice organization. As we enter into the holiday season, it is a time to reflect and celebrate the work of the past year.  To list just a few of our accomplishments, we:

• Served over 600 individuals in our emergency shelters and supportive housing units.

• Broke ground on the Dolores Hotel which will house 53 homeless and low-income individuals.

• Led the San Francisco Immigrant Legal and Education Network providing over 1500 immigrants with legal and education services including deportation defense, citizenship and processing assistance.

• Provided outreach, safety and disaster workshops for hard to reach residents living in SRO Hotels.

• Provided permanent housing with onsite medical and social care for formerly homeless people living with HIV/AIDS.

• Participated in the Budget Justice Network working with the Board of Supervisors to limit cuts to city services that serve the disenfranchised.

• Participated in defending the rights of undocumented youth in the SF Juvenile Justice System.

• Organized against unjust evictions of families on 24^th Street.

Everyday new clients walk through our doors to receive services; everyday we organize to fight for social justice. You can be a part of our work by becoming a financial supporter of Dolores Street Community Services.  We hope to raise $20,000 in new donations and pledges from individuals like you over the holidays to make our budget this year.  Please consider making a one time or sustainer gift to support our work today!

Sincerely,

Eric Quezada

CLOTHING DONATIONS NEEDED FOR THE WINTER

Please help the residents of our homeless shelters stay warm this winter!

Many thanks for your help!

Happy Holidays and New Year!

The Open Palm Awards

Tuesday, November 17^th, 2009
6 pm - 10 pm
at
The Blue Macaw
2565 Mission Street, San Francisco

Please join us at the newly remodeled Blue Macaw nightclub to honor the work of our awardees and celebrate the accomplishments of Dolores Street Community Services over the past year.  The Open Palm Awards will include an open wine bar and full cash bar, catering from some of the City's top chefs, music, dancing and entertainment by Los Compas, a silent auction, and more!

Honoring

Homeless Services Award
Jennifer Friedenbach, Executive Director of the Coalition on Homelessness, for her unending dedication to standing up for the rights of the homeless and her advocacy work on the City budget

Immigrant Rights Award
Morrison & Foerster LLP for their pro-bono work representing low income clients in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation proceedings

HIV/AIDS Services Award
Father Richard Purcell who founded Marty's Place in 1989 to provide a home for homeless individuals living with HIV/AIDS

Sponsorships & Tickets

 Click here to purchase tickets or sponsorships

Super Cool Sponsor - $1,000

• 4 tickets to event plus a private table for you and your guests at event

• Logo in invitation mailed to 1500 contacts (if notified by October 15th)

• Prominent recognition in signage and during event program

• Prominent inclusion of name or logo on our website

Cool Sponsor - $500

• 2 tickets to event

• Logo in invitation mailed to 1500 contacts (if notified by October 15th)

• Recognition in signage and during program at event

• Inclusion of name or logo on our website

Sponsor - $250

• 1 ticket to event

• Name in invitation mailed to 1500 contacts (if notified by October 15^th)

• Recognition in signage at event

• Inclusion of name on our website

 Event Tickets - $100, $50 (Nonprofit Rate), or $35 (Community Member Rate)

 Click here to purchase tickets or sponsorships

In Our Words: Dolores Street Blog

We're blogging!  Check back often to see what we're up to:   New Entries Made Regularly!

Dolores Street Acquires The Dolores Hotel

Dolores Street Community Services recently acquired a 59 until Single Room Occupancy Hotel - coincidentally called The Dolores Hotel - which will provide a next step for our shelter guests in moving into more stable housing.  We'll be beginning rehab of the building in the next few months and hope to have our first residents moving in next Spring.  This will be the first new supportive housing facility to open in the Mission in many years.

New Mission & Vision!

As part of our recent strategic plan, Dolores Street updated our Mission Statement to include the scope of all our new programs and created a Vision Statement as well.  

Mission

Dolores Street Community Services works to prevent homelessness, create affordable housing, build community, and empower low-income residents of San Francisco.  We accomplish this through culturally appropriate neighborhood-based services, education, advocacy, and community organizing.

Vision

We envision a vibrant and diverse San Francisco where multiple cultures, life experiences and contributions are honored, and all people live with dignity and hope.  Our vision is of a just and sustainable community where all residents – regardless of income, immigration or health status – have equal rights and access to resources, and are empowered to fully participate in shaping the City’s future.  Our work toward this vision is guided by the belief that the people most affected by poverty, inequity and injustice should be leaders in creating solutions for the problems they face.