ADVOCACY

THE OPPOSITE OF POVERTY IS NOT WEALTH

IN TOO MANY PLACES THE OPPOSITE OF POVERTY IS

JUSTICE.

BRYAN STEVENSON

We very intentionally live in the Tenderloin. We believe that in order to bring about a more just world, we must understand how everyone's wellbeing is diminished when anyone's life is dominated by racism, poverty, or any other social injustice.

Our work is to build community, listen to those who are most often silenced, and stand with our neighbors.

We call ourselves Faithful because we know this work requires that we be steady and constant even when it is most difficult. We model ourselves after the Fools of the medieval court who, despite being mocked and ridiculed, used humor to speak truth to power. So often the Fool was kicked out to the streets by the King and there he also said what was not popular. The Fool crossed back and forth, gathering insight and calling both the people of the court and the streets to their better selves.

IF YOU HAVE COME TO HELP,

DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME.

BUT IF YOUR WELLBEING AND LIBERATION ARE BOUND UP WITH MINE, LET US WORK TOGETHER.

QUEENSLAND ABORIGINAL ACTIVIST

Our work in advocacy is multi-layered. We provide space and support for Tenderloin residents to understand policies and social systems that impact their lives. We seek to bring together decision makers and residents to create collaboration for change. As residents of the Tenderloin ourselves, we sometimes find ourselves invited into conversations with decision makers and it is our task to make sure that as many of our neighbors as possible are also included.

Tenderloin Citizens

Community Organizations hosted by Faithful Fools:

TL Think Tank: TL residents, non-profit leadership, and City officials addressing issues in the TL
TL Votes: voter mobilization and eduction
Dorothy Day Reading Society: book group & discussion
Skywatchers Advisory Board

Advisory Boards

Our role on Advisory Boards and Committees:

Citizen's Advisory Committee of the Mid-Market & Tenderloin (oversight of Twitter Tax Benefit Agreements)
Tenderloin Health Improvement Partnership (TLHIP) and St. Francis Memorial Hospital
University of California, San Francisco Community Engagement Committee

Community Partners

Community Organizations

with whom we work:

Market Street for the Masses
The Tenderloin People's Congress
Tenderloin Development without Displacement
The Healing WELL
Demonstration Gardens

Faithful Fools