Community Forward SF

For Pride Month, we honor and celebrate the strength, resilience, and joy of the LGBTQIA+ community. At Community Forward SF, we center our work around women while also standing alongside those too often pushed to the margins — q***r communities, BIPOC individuals, and survivors of violence.

Our work goes beyond providing life-changing services. It is about helping people reclaim dignity, safety, belonging, and the freedom to define their own path forward.

We believe lasting change happens when communities are not only supported, but empowered to lead, speak out, and shape a future where everyone belongs.

This Pride Month and every month, we are proud to stand with the LGBTQIA+ community. In the face of ongoing threats and injustice, we remain committed to advocacy, care, and building a world where all people can live safely and authentically. 🖤🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Thank you for continuing to stand with us. 💪🏾

Thank you so much to the Red Cross Club of Wallenberg High School for hosting a supply drive in support of Community Forward SF! Organizing a fundraiser or drive is such a meaningful way to support our work, and we’re incredibly grateful for Wallenberg High School’s partnership and generosity in collecting essential items that help our participants feel comforted, cared for, and supported.

Their donations included:
- Hygiene items (toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, lotion, deodorant, hair brushes)
- Dog food for our participants’ furry companions
- Socks
- Menstrual items
- Art supplies
- Laundry bags

And so much more! Thank you to everyone involved for showing up for our community in such a thoughtful and impactful way.

If your school or club is interested in getting involved with Community Forward SF through a fundraiser, supply drive, or volunteer opportunity, please reach out to [email protected] to learn more.

A huge thank you to the Deutsche Bank and Jan Price, Bank Director for Private Banking and CFSF Development Committee Member, for organizing a Mother’s Day drive. Together, Deutsche Bank helped collect nearly $1,750 worth of essential supplies for participants—including clothing, snacks, puzzles, bags, and other much-needed items.

These contributions directly stock our drop-in, shelter and transitional housing programs, allowing our team to respond quickly and compassionately while connecting women to the wraparound services that help them heal, stabilize, and rebuild their lives.

This Memorial Day, we honor and remember those who lost their lives in service to our country.

Today and every day, we remain committed to building stronger, safer communities rooted in dignity, care, and courage. We wish you all a restful holiday.

Join us for Happy Hour with Our Co-CEOs, Sammie Rayner and John Uselman— an informal gathering to connect with Community Forward SF, meet others who care about our mission, and learn more about how we’re supporting women navigating homelessness in San Francisco.

This is a space for conversation, community, and connection with people who want to make a difference. We hope you’ll join us.

Interested in attending or learning more?
📧 Email [email protected] or visit our Partiful link to RSVP: https://partiful.com/e/STLjS5FVSC16LJwSiI61?c=iBkA23D_

Last week, Community Forward team members attended the 2026 Restorative Justice Leadership Summit hosted by the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

The Summit brought together leaders from across the Bay Area to strengthen collaboration and advance trauma-informed approaches that support youth, families, and community safety. We’re grateful for the opportunity to connect with fellow community partners and continue conversations centered on healing, dignity, restoration, and pathways toward stability and safety for all.

You can view highlights and photos from the summit here: https://sfarch.org/ministries/rjministry/rjleadershipsummit-2026/

We’re excited to introduce Kristin Nelson, who joined Community Forward in January as our new Vice President of Philanthropy. 💙

Kristin brings more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience across fundraising, communications, and program management, with organizations including Community Foundation Sonoma County, The James Irvine Foundation, Catholic Charities, and COTS.

As we continue expanding access to safety, mental health care, and pathways to permanent housing for women navigating homelessness, we’re grateful to have Kristin helping lead and strengthen this work for the future.

We’re excited for what’s ahead—and thankful for the community that continues to show up with care and commitment every step of the way.

Rebecca Jackson, VP of Reentry & Public Affairs, and Olivia Hoffman, Executive Assistant & Policy Associate, joined the People’s Budget Coalition at San Francisco City Hall to deliver thousands of postcards to the Mayor, calling for a city budget that reflects community needs and protects San Francisco’s most vulnerable residents.

Together, we’re advocating for policies and investments that build a safer, more equitable San Francisco for all.

Today, we honor mothers and all maternal figures—the ones who nurture, protect, and hold communities together.

At Community Forward, we witness that care and resilience every day—not only in the lives of those we serve, but also in the people who show up for this work.

Happy Mother’s Day 💐

Women’s Day returned to the Women’s Resource Center 💐

This week, the WRC team hosted a special Women’s Day celebration in honor of Mother’s Day—creating space for participants to pause, connect, and feel celebrated. With delicious food and hands-on activities like decorating tote bags, making flower crowns, and creating jewelry, the day was filled with moments of reflection, joy, and community.

We’re deeply grateful to our community partners at Larkin Street Youth Services for showing up, sharing resources, and building meaningful connections with participants. Your partnership helps make days like this possible.