NCG member guest blogger and Vice President of Programs at The California Wellness Foundation Fatima Angeles urges funders who care about San Francisco communities to attend the October 2nd NCG program A San Francisco Neighborhood Analysis.
“No issue is an island.” NCG has been saying that since the beginning of this year. And it’s true. I see it in my own work—how issues and populations overlap and intersect.
For example, earlier this month I participted in a panel discussion about a report commissioned by the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Council, Asian and Pacific Islander Health and Wellness: A San Francisco Neighborhood Analysis. One of the key findings in the report shows that by population, APIs by far represent the largest minority group affected by poverty in San Francisco. As of 2012, there were 38,495 APIs living in poverty in San Francisco—that’s up to 35% of the 110,889 San Franciscans living in poverty. Unfortunately, this problem is rapidly growing for APIs. The report also has alarming findings on issues related to workforce, education, housing and health.
This event, held at City Hall, drew a large crowd of API nonprofit leaders and staff from nonprofits who serve the local API communities. There was a small number government staff and some funders in attendance. One question raised was how do we get this report in front of funders and reach beyond so that we aren’t just preaching to the choir? In other words, this isn’t just an Asian and Pacific Islander issue or a nonprofit problem to solve. This is a San Francisco community issue. So, how can we effectively inform key decision makers?
I suggested that the API reach out to NCG, which they did. As a result, on Thursday, October 2, NCG, will host a program to share the report findings with funders.
As a funder who works on health and wellness in California communities, the information provided in this research report is critical to help inform my grantmaking deciscions. It’s clear—if you care about San Francisco communities, you should care about the findings in this report. If you care about addressing poverty, health or housing in San Francisco—you should attend this program.
We all know the city is rapidly changing, but we need facts and figures to inform us. You will leave this program with that information. Please join NCG on October 2nd at A San Francisco Neighborhood Analysis: Asian and Pacific Island Health and Wellness program.
I hope to see you there.