The Richmond Neighborhood Center

Right now on Clement Street.

Mayor Daniel Lurie joined us for a merchant walk through Inner Clement, recognizing the businesses participating in ABC: Activate the Best of Clement.

These are the neighbors who keep this corridor running every day. Today they were celebrated for opening their doors, offering food specials, and showing up for the community during AAPI Heritage Month.

Thank you to every merchant who said yes. And to Mayor Lurie for walking the street with us.

ABC continues until 4:30 PM. Come down to Clement, 2nd to 12th Avenue.

Burcu Hasdemir and Chris Smith first got to know The Richmond Neighborhood Center through Lafayette Elementary, where their kids went to school. They saw the after school program, the food pantry that set up every Tuesday, and the holiday cards and donations that neighbors put together for seniors each winter. Through the Lafayette PTA, they helped organize some of it, and met our program staff along the way.

Then they started volunteering, delivering groceries to homebound seniors. That is when they learned how large the senior population in the Richmond is, and how many neighbors depend on those deliveries week after week.

"It's touching to see how the community of volunteers and recipients become part of each others' lives and look out for each other."

When we asked what they would say to someone giving for the first time, they were direct: if you want to make an impact in the neighborhood you live in, one that reaches kids through seniors, give to The Richmond Neighborhood Center.

If their story means something to you, you can show it here: https://richmondsf.org/donate

Do you know what to expect at our AAPI Heritage Month celebration this Friday?
ABC: Activate the Best of Clement is a free street celebration along Inner Clement Street, from 2nd to 12th Avenue. Friday, May 29, from 1:30 to 4:30 PM.

Here's what's happening:

🍜🍜 Eat: Limited-time food specials from Clement Street businesses, three hours only. Dim sum combos, bánh mì, herbal soup packs, rice balls, rice cakes, and more.
🛍🛍Shop: $5 and $10 deals, surprise bags, and discounts up and down the street.
🦁🦁Experience: Lion dancing, calligraphy with Master Terry Luk, Chinese painting with Gloria, DJ music, a photo booth, a scavenger hunt, and an AAPI Community Leaders Awards ceremony.

Mayor Daniel Lurie is joining us to celebrate with the community.

The event hub is One Richmond at 802 Clement Street. We're hosting and our partners Asian Family Support Center, Gum Moon Women's Residence, Community Youth Center, and Self-Help for the Elderly will be there too.

Full details: https://richmondsf.org/event/abc-celebration/

We hope to see you on Clement Street.

Starting June 1, federal changes to CalFresh will require most adults under 65 to work, volunteer, or train at least 20 hours a week to keep their food benefits. San Francisco's Human Services Agency estimates more than 19,300 city residents could lose access. The majority live in the 94102 zip code, but the impact will reach across San Francisco, including the Richmond.

Our food programs already serve about 1,500 people each week through the pantry and home-delivered groceries. We expect that number to grow.

Yves Xavier, our food programs director, spoke with The Frisc this week about what we're seeing on the ground, including a sharp drop in CalFresh enrollment requests as people grow wary of applying for benefits they qualify for.

Read the full article here: https://thefrisc.com/snap-deadline-tens-of-thousands-in-sf-risk-losing-food-benefits/

If you'd like to support our food programs, you can donate at richmondsf.org.

Big thanks to our friends at Intero for a generous $5,000 gift to The Richmond Neighborhood Center. Support like this helps us keep free and low-cost programs running for youth, families, and seniors across the Richmond District.
Grateful to have you in our corner, .foundation

Terry Yu came to The Richmond Neighborhood Center as a Youth Program Assistant in high school, went to college and continued to work as an Activity Leader. Today, he is our Accounting Manager.
He grew up in this organization. The staff who once ran his programs are now his colleagues. The community that shaped him is the one he shows up for every day.
When we asked Terry what keeps him here, he said: "I grew up with this organization, and I just want to give back."
When we asked what equity looks like in his work, he answered in two words: understanding and trust.
"We may be doing different work in this organization, but at the end of the day, we are working towards the same goal. Creating a safe ground for the community, the present and the future."
If Terry's story means something to you, you can show it here: https://richmondsf.org/donate

Meet Michael Fisher, Board President of The Richmond Neighborhood Center.
Michael's story with this organization started in 2020, delivering food alongside his son during the pandemic. One of the neighbors on their route was an elderly Chinese woman they visited for almost two years. She passed away toward the end of the pandemic, and Michael still thinks of her.

Six years later, he leads our board. This week is National Volunteer Week, and his story is a reminder of what can grow from one delivery route.

Learn more about volunteering: https://richmondsf.org/volunteer
Support this work: https://richmondsf.org/donate

This spring, we are running our Gratitude Campaign, recognizing the people whose work and presence shape this community. This week, we are grateful for Cliff Yee.
When Michelle Cusano stepped away for medical leave, Cliff stepped in as Acting Executive Director. Over five months, he navigated a teacher strike, a neighborhood blackout, and moments of community violence, all while keeping programs running and families supported.
What he kept coming back to: the strength of this organization lives in its people. Staff who show up every day. Volunteers who fill the gaps. Partners who step in when it matters most.
Cliff is one of those people. We are glad he is here.
If Cliff's commitment to this community means something to you, we invite you to show it.
Support our work here: https://richmondsf.org/donate/

"Because of all of you, I was able to return with strength, clarity, and focus," - Michelle Cusano, Executive Director.

When Michelle needed her community most, her community was there. This spring, we are launching the Gratitude Campaign: nine weeks of stories from the people who make The Richmond Neighborhood Center what it is. We begin with Michelle because her story is a reminder of what this neighborhood is capable of.

Swipe to meet her.
Support our Gratitude Campaign here: https://richmondsf.org/donate/

What does the Richmond District need? It is a question we answer every day through our programs, our staff, and the families we serve.

Last week, Karina from Representative Nancy Pelosi's office came to The Richmond Neighborhood Center to ask it in person. She met with Acting Executive Director Cliff Yee and Community Programs Director Yves Xavier, toured our work, and took the time to listen.

We have been rooted in this neighborhood for 45 years. Having elected officials and their staff come to see that work firsthand, and ask how they can help, is something we do not take for granted. We are grateful. And we will keep doing the work that makes visits like this one worth having.