W
WE
HY TH E
LCOM E TO T H E
TENDERLOIN This year we published nearly 100 student authors in the Tenderloin neighborhood. JJ is one of them, and he proudly read the below poem at the launch of our first Tenderloin programs compilation, Five Quarts of Kindness.
TENDERLOIN CENTER
W
e chose to open our second center in the Tenderloin neighborhood for two big reasons: a great need for our services, and overwhelming support from the local community. The Tenderloin is San Francisco’s most densely populated neighborhood, and the home of 3,000 of our city’s children. It has the second highest incidence of food stamp use in the city, with a median household income of $23,804. While social services are abundant, until this year I CANNOT THINK OF A GREATER GIFT there were no programs that focused on TO THE TENDERLOIN THAN THE OPENING OF the essential skill of writing. THIS NEW CENTER. IT IS A TRIBUTE TO THE
OPEN WINDOW
“
VISION OF 826 VALENCIA’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BITA NAZARIAN AND HER ENTIRE BOARD AND STAFF THAT THEY COULD SEE THE POTENTIAL OF
TRANSFORMING A
RUN-DOWN CORNER MARKET INTO THE BEAUTIFUL SPACE THAT NOW EXISTS ON GOLDEN GATE AND LEAVENWORTH.” RANDY
SHAW,
HOUSING CLINIC
DIRECTOR
OF
THE
TENDERLOIN
BY JJ ALEMAN, AGE 13 DEMARILLAC ACADEMY
I live in a doorway between ghetto and school life
The corner of Golden Gate and Leavenworth used to be home to Big Boy Market, a corner store notorious as a location for drug trafficking and criminal activity. We’re proud to have created a space of wonder and imagination there, that welcomes the community and offers free, crucial support and a space for students to write and dream. MAP BY JOHN ELLIS
Quiet in class, dogs barking on every corner Staying inside, cracked sidewalks Lectures being given, being broken down PHOTOS BY MATTHEW MILLMAN
“SAN FRANCISCO HAS BEEN GOOD TO US. IT WAS TIME TO GIVE BACK.”
The rush to work, the rush to home I hear gun shots and screaming Conversations being held, buttons of a laptop
2015–2016
MIKE SCRIBNER, PRESIDENT OF BCCI CONSTRUCTION
OUR FIRST YEAR IN THE TENDERLOIN
he build team for the center and store consisted of five design and architecture firms donating the majority of their services for free and working in collaboration to create a magical, whimsical space to inspire writing and learning. We could not have brought this dream to life without this incredible team.
the gates being shut, the music being played
Jonas Kellner served as lead architect. BCCI Construction Company served as general contractor and liaison for subcontractor contributions. Office worked on the store branding, exteriors, and product design. Gensler designed the retail space and interior finishes. INTERSTICE drew up plans for the exterior. MKThink took the lead on interior architecture. Valerie Veronin served as project manager. BBDO San Francisco supported branding and marketing.
I act different in both places
W
hile the center was under construction, we started offering our programming in the neighborhood through partnerships with local community-based organizations in September of 2015.
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STUDENTS SERVED
VOLUNTEERS
PUBLICATIONS
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the dragging of a pencil, the screams of kids
I live in the ghetto but transfer to school life But I’m still the same person.