May 1, 2024
How SF Village is challenging racial inequity & building a diverse membership
We are committed to the inclusion of our state’s diverse communities into our villages. This commitment led to a collaboration between Kate Hoepke, Executive Director of San Francisco Village, Felisia Thibodeaux, Executive Director of Southwest Community Corporation, and Carlene Davis, founder of Sistahs Aging with Grace and Elegance (SAGE). With funding from SCAN Health Plan, they launched a pilot program “Connecting Across Communities”.
The pilot project brought San Francisco Village together with the IT Bookman Community Center in the Lakeview community, a historically Black neighborhood. Gatherings were held that were centered on sharing life stories, breaking down barriers, and exploring ways to work together to help all older adults in the city.
With each meeting, bonds and genuine connections grew between members of both communities. The Connecting Across Communities pilot has concluded, but the long-term partnership between the communities is still strong. Members of IT Bookman join San Francisco Village and explore a new side of the city. Similarly, San Francisco Village members are actively joining IT Bookman programs and invite their new friends into their social gatherings, programs, and circles. Learn more here.
