First do what’s necessary, then do what’s possible, and soon you will be doing the impossible. — Francis of Assisi

Do what’s necessary. Do what’s possible. Innovate for the greater good.
​— Saint Francis Homelessness Challenge

MISSION & SERVICES

Since SFHC was founded in 2015, we have worked towards our mission to end the crisis conditions of street homelessness by:

1. Providing direct services at encampments (including portapotties, trash removal, mobile sleeping cabins, linkage to service providers, etc.)
2. Organizing with local, regional, and state-level stakeholders to develop actionable solutions, including currently/formerly unsheltered residents, impacted neighbors, service/advocacy organizations, and government officials; and
3. Developing and piloting Safe Organized Spaces for activating underutilized public/private land with community-integrated transitional villages. 
4. Advocating for SOS transitional village pilots in San Francisco and throughout California;
5. Updating the SOS policy and operations toolkit for California cities experiencing a shelter shortage crisis
6. Seeking partnerships with funders to fund SOS pilots in San Francisco and throughout California;
7. Building upon our local, statewide, & national network of advocates, service providers, policy experts, and government officials;
8. Gathering signatures and conducting outreach for the SOS petition

​There are people who need places to belong in order to heal and thrive.
There are places that need people to steward them in order to heal and thrive.
-- Saint Francis Homelessness Challenge

SFHC'S GUIDING PRINCIPLES​

1. Do what is necessary and possible to end the crisis conditions of street homelessness.
2. Secure shelter, secure storage, food and water access, privacy, sanitation, garbage disposal, and a place to belong in community are basic human needs that should be met for all human beings ASAP.
3. Shine a light with grace—look at harmful behaviors through the lens of unmet needs.
4. Take the side of truth, justice, safety, an wellbeing for everyone (including yourself), not one particular group or person.
5. Agree to disagree when necessary—always work together when possible for the greater good.
6. Living in community is challenging—whether you live in an encampment, SRO, group housing, or condo. Shared agreements and systems of accountability an participation make it easier.
7. Aim to support individual healing and transition in the least restrictive and most autonomous setting possible—with baselines for wellness (including safety, health, and privacy).
8. De-stigmatize the need for healing, off-grid living, interdependence, and mutual accountability.  
9. Everyone is a participant, not just a recipient. Share responsibility for solutions.
10. You belong to the human family, the earth, and the cosmos—No matter where you go to sleep tonight, next week, or next year.

​

RESIDENT STEWARDSHIP VALUES​

1. YOU BELONG
2. YOUR NEEDS MATTER
3. BE A TEAM PLAYER
4. CONSIDER YOUR IMPACT
5. JUST SAY KNOW IN SUPPORT OF A THRIVING HUMANITY & PLANET
6. STAND UP FOR TRUTH, JUSTICE, SAFETY, & WELL-BEING FOR EVERYONE—INCLUDING YOURSELF!
7. ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ALL—WITH TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE
8. SHINE A LIGHT WITH GRACE
9. THERE'S NO SHAME IN OUR GAME
10. FOLLOW SHARED AGREEMENTS—HONOR THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW

​

​

You belong. Your needs matter.
Be a team player. Consider your impact.

— Saint Francis Homelessness Challenge

FISCAL SPONSORSHIP

The Saint Francis Homelessness Challenge is a fiscally-sponsored project of Intersection for the Arts, a city-approved of San Francisco. ​

From ‘move along’, to ‘you belong’.
— SOS Working Group​

FOUNDER/DIRECTOR: AMY FARAH WEISS

SF Chronicle Editorial: "A better approach to homeless encampments" by AFW (10/2016)
SF Examiner Opinion Piece: “Addressing SF’s anticipated shelter service gaps with Safe Organized Spaces” by AFW (3/2019)
SF Chronicle Editorial: " With an extra $492 million to spend, S.F. needs a plan to end street homelessness" by AFW (8/2020)

180 JONES/TENDERLOIN PROPOSAL

Najib “Jim” Yaser, volunteer organizer for 180 Jones SOS “Stewardship Village and Community Wellness Hub”

SOS PILOT AT IMPACT HUB: JULY 2017-JULY 2018

ORGANIZING WITH ENCAMPMENT RESIDENTS & VOLUNTEERS

Box City encampment residents (7th Street at Mission Bay) holding up signs with transition goals (Fall 2016)

Encampment Residents in Mission Bay working together with SFHC (Winter 2017)

Box City displaced on January 6th 2017: Avery, an unhoused resident who was part of the Box City community, talks about his experience at Box City and what is means that it was disbanded.

Encampment residents and SFHC supporters at Cesar Chavez & 101 Encampment (Spring 2016)

Volunteers for painting, BBQ, & trash clean-up at Box City encampment (7th St/Mission Bay)

SFHC Community Planning Meeting at Brown and Black Social Club (12.16.2016)

Volunteers and participants at Saint Francis Super Bowl Sunday event at SoMa StrEat Food Park (2.7.2016)

Young volunteers at Saint Francis Super Bowl Sunday event at SoMa StrEat Food Park (2.7.2016)

Members of the web design and survey analysis team

Volunteers at the Division Street Overnight Vigil and Portapotty Service

Volunteers at the Saint Francis Homelessness Challenge Showcase at SomArts (1.2.2016)

SFHC leadership, collaborating organizations and supporters, volunteers, and participants at the 1/2016 SOMArts SFHC Showcase.