SF announces selection of community-focused projects as part of TCAP PCGSF joins Legion of San Francisco consular corps visit to SFPD special unit

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor

London Breed Wednesday, February 1 announced the projects that will receive funding to improve living conditions in the Tenderloin as part of the Tenderloin Community Action Plan (TCAP). The selection of the projects followed a twoweek voting period during which community members weighed in on top priorities to improve public safety and livelihood in the neighborhood through public space improvements and events, as well as services and programing for residents, including those experiencing homelessness.

In June 2022, the Mayor funded $3.5 million to implement community investments under TCAP between June 2023 and June 2025. Between December 9 and December 23, 2022, nearly 1,400 residents and workers voted on 31 qualifying projects submitted by community members in various categories including public space activation, community wellness, shelter, food security, education, public safety and economic mobility.

In December 2021, under Mayor Breed’s direction, the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) developed the Tenderloin Emergency Initiative (TEI), a threephase, multi-agency plan to improve crisis conditions in the area and tackle the drug overdose crisis. The TEI is currently in its third phase, or sustained operations, which began in July 2022 when DEM transitioned management to the San Francisco Planning Department, which is overseeing the Tenderloin Community Action Plan.

“We are working hard with community partners to keep the Tenderloin safe and vibrant, which is why we are committed to making long-term investments through the TL Community Action Plan,” said Mayor Breed. “Improving public safety means more than just deploying additional police officers, which we are doing. It also means activating public spaces, supporting communityled celebrations and events, and having ambassadors to help get kids and families where they need to go. The Tenderloin neighborhood is home to more children than any other neighborhood in San Francisco, so working to keep this community safe must be a top priority for the city. People deserve to live and work in a community where they can thrive.”

“We are excited for the projects that have been selected,” said Rich Hillis, San Francisco Planning Director. “The work is just beginning to make a meaningful impact in the Tenderloin to improve the quality of life for Tenderloin residents and community.”

Projects selected as part of the participatory budgeting process to be funded will address the neighborhoods needs within three paths of investments:

• Enhancing quality of life and increasing safety as follows

• Ambassadors for youth safety

• Public space improvements

• Community celebrations

• Addressing basic life needs and challenges in the neighborhood

• Improving access to neighborhood wellness through community-based services

• Economic mobility.

The Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) will lead the Requests or Proposals (RFP) process to select the organizations that will partner with the city to make these projects a reality.

Participatory Budgeting Awardees

Ambassadors for Kids and Youth Safety

• Safe Passage*

• Park Stewardship*

Public Space Improvements

• Golden Gate Greenway

Phase 1: Parklets Project

• Elm Alley Kids Space

• Larkin Street Canopy

• Tenderloin National Forest Stabilization

• Tenderloin Dog Park Design and Pilot Community Celebrations

• Art in the Park

• Tenderloin Eid-Cultural Celebration

• Tenderloin People’s Holiday Tree and Lighting Ceremony

• Tenderloin SINULOG Festival and Flores De Mayo Festival

Atty. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions...

brother. • Rowena wants to petition a housekeeper from the Philippines. She needs to know what the requirements are and how long the process will take.

• Cora, who is a green card holder, would like to petition her six siblings. She wants to know if it is better for her to become a U.S. citizen first.

• Jessica, who came to the Q and A session with her mother, Marosa, wants to know why it is taking so long for her siblings

• Grace Notes Community Festival 2023*

• Black History and Culture of the Tenderloin*

Basic Life Needs

• Clean Team*

• Food security programming for residents of Permanent Supportive Housing*

• Tenderloin Family Housing Tutoring Program*

• Community Housing Education for TL Arabicspeaking residents* Community Wellness

• Services for the Tenderloin’s Southeast Asian community

• Tenderloin Teen Drop-In Center

• Services for the Tenderloin

Arab youth

• Night Wellness Navigators and Pilot Economic Mobility

• Small Business Support* (SF Shines, Dream Keeper Initiative, and/or Vandalism Grants)

*Indicates projects that build on an existing program or project.

Learn more about the Tenderloin Community Action Plan, the voting process, and full list of selected projects on the TCAP webpage at https://sfplanning.org/project/ tenderloin-community-actionplan. (SF Mayor’s Office Release)

SAN FRANCISCO – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco participated in the Legion of San Francisco Consular Corps (LSFCC)’s visit to the San Francisco Police Department's Special Operations Division. The LSFCC is a nonprofit social group composed of spouses of members of the San Francisco Consular Corps and a U.S. support group composed of San Francisco locals who support the activities of the LSFCC.

The Consulate was represented by Mrs. Miriam M. Ferrer, spouse of Consul General Neil Ferrer, Deputy Consul General Raquel R. Solano (Assistance to Nationals Section Head), Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona, Consul

Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil, and ATN Officer Enrico Raiz. Mrs. Ferrer and Consul BagoLlona are LSFCC members. The SFPD’s Special Operations Division is composed of highly trained and specialized teams of officers who are in charge of securing big events in the city and county of San Francisco and respond to high-risk incidents. The San Francisco Consular Corps and LSFCC members were welcomed by the unit’s officers, who gave them an overview of the unit's history, mission, and capabilities. The Special Division is composed of tactical officers, bomb technicians, among others, who work together to resolve complex and dangerous situations. The visitors were then given a tour of the facility, where they saw the various tools and equipment used by the officers, including bomb suits, tactical gear, and specialized vehicles. The highlight of the visit was a demonstration of some of the unit’s tactics and techniques in responding to a simulated highrisk incident. The visit was a valuable opportunity for the Consular Corps members to learn more about the work of law enforcement in San Francisco, and to deepen their understanding of the challenges faced by the police department. (PCGSF Release) to get an interview date at the U.S. Embassy in Manila even if they are already Documentarily Qualified.

Tune in to Part 2 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot,” with Kapamilya from Las Vegas, Nevada on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, March 5 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM Eastern Time through select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)