The C.L.A.E.R. Project
1099 Sunnydale Ave.
San Francisco, CA
415-333-3017
Media Release 4/2/09
*Sharen Hewitt, Executive Director 415-724-4794
*Lacrecia Gardner, Executive Assistant 415-595-1446
*Laurel Moeslein, Policy Associate 707-696-7951
This morning San Francisco Chronicle writer CW Nevius’ weekly column addressed a pertinent issue in the world of San Francisco nonprofit organizations.
Among other things, Mr. Nevius pointed out that many nonprofits in San Francisco are not located in the communities that they serve. The majority of San Francisco’s 7,093 nonprofit organizations are located downtown. This creates an alarming disconnect between charitable organizations and the people they aim to help.
The C.L.A.E.R. Project has always believed that it is impossible to have your finger on the pulse of a neighborhood without directly interacting with the residents on a daily basis. Both of our locations are in the heart of Sunnydale, and our Careers Plus center is located in Sunnydale public housing. One of the main goals of our work is to connect public housing residents with city and nonprofit services. How much easier would our work be if the services were located here, and not downtown?
It’s easy to forget the population you serve and their primary interests when you don’t interact with them everyday. Too often nonprofits get caught up with their relationships with City Hall, other nonprofits, and elected officials. Collaborative relationships are important, but not nearly as important as loving and understanding the people you represent.
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