Photo via Twitter @codetenderloin
Code Tenderloin has announced that they will continue their ‘Calming the Corner’ street pop-up, providing immediate and on the ground needs in the Tenderloin, with significant support from Jack Dorsey’s #StartSmall initiative, in which they were awarded a $1.6M grant for operational funding for frontline COVID-19 efforts.
Read the full press release below:
Jack Dorsey and Del Seymour have a long-standing connection. Five years ago, Seymour met Dorsey in St. Anthony’s kitchen discussing the most pressing issues of the Tenderloin, SOMA, and Mid-Market along with the need for tech community support and partnership. Seymour and Dorsey’s recent interview on Periscope highlighted many of the pre-existing issues that were exacerbated by COVID and their shared concern for the future.
San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood has the highest number of homeless residents and more children per capita than anywhere else. Many families live in tiny rooms in single-room-occupancy hotels, sharing communal kitchens and bathrooms. Code T’s work increases post-COVID, securing resources, and access for residents in need. As a nation stands in recognition for Black lives, Code T is a Black lead organization by Founder Del Seymour and helmed by Executive Director Donna Hilliard. The staff includes black and brown caseworkers and program managers from lived experiences in the justice system, homelessness, and low wage jobs, and recovery programs. This grant comes at the perfect time when the country faces a recovery process that includes more than 50% of African Americans with Coronavirus. Together the organization will keep a consistent presence in the Tenderloin and a holistic approach to economic, mental, and physical well-being.
The Calming the Corners street pop-up distributes health kits that include soap, sanitizer, masks, and other essentials for fighting Coronavirus. The pop-up also distributes food, warm clothing, tents, and up-to-date information for residents. Code Tenderloin appreciates #StartSmall for the ease of the application and funding process. Code Tenderloin is now a part of the more than five dozen non-profits that have received about $134 million to address Coronavirus and racial justice issues.
With five years of serving the Tenderloin, we kept our organization nimble to meet the needs of the community. Our needs now require a stable means of operation – we look forward to better serving our community. Funds will establish a long term outlook for the organization.
#StartSmall is Jack Dorsey’s philanthropic initiative to fund global COVID-19 relief, girls’ health and education, and efforts towards Universal Basic Income. Dorsey transferred $1 billion (28% of his wealth) to #startsmall in 2020.
Code Tenderloin is a non-profit that provides preventive care and life transition resources. We remove barriers for those facing economic, mental, and health challenges. We offer opportunities through intense job readiness, workforce development programs, front-facing community jobs programs, and our referral network. Through barrier removal programs, we can serve those in life transitions with jobs, education, training, and connections to housing, health, reentry programs, and child care services.
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