Raphael House of San Francisco

At Raphael House, we work with many families like the Solito family who navigate the arduous process of securing stable housing in the Bay Area. Their story is one of perseverance, and underscores the harsh realities of the housing crisis. Success in the housing lottery is rare. With over 500 families waiting for shelter in San Francisco’s Coordinated Entry system (a required process for accessing most shelters and HSH-funded housing opportunities), the path to permanent housing is often long and uncertain. Many of the families we support come from shelters like the Buena Vista school gym–a crucial low-barrier option for those in need–where the Solitos stayed –. However, rental subsidies, which have historically helped families transition out of shelters, are becoming increasingly difficult to secure. As these resources shrink, the gap between temporary shelter and permanent housing grows. Each family’s situation is shaped by a combination of available resources and systemic barriers. While the Solitos’ story is incredibly inspiring, it also highlights the persistent challenges faced by many families. The time, struggle, determination, and luck involved are experiences familiar to those we work with everyday. To gain a deeper understanding of these ongoing challenges, and how they impact families, we encourage you to read the article in full. https://lnkd.in/gHSRvCxK

We are excited to partner with Koya Partners | Diversified Search Group in the search for our next Executive Director! This is a wonderful opportunity for Raphael House to welcome new visionary leadership as we continue expanding our impact. To express interest in this role, please follow the link below ⬇️

The UCSF Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative's new unsheltered brief offers critical insights from the largest homelessness study in 30 years. As California faces rising unsheltered homelessness, this research and its accompanying encampment resolution tools are vital for developing evidence-based, housing-centered solutions. At Raphael House, we are committed to helping low-income and homeless families achieve stable housing and financial independence. This data is instrumental in shaping the broader conversation that informs our work. https://lnkd.in/gvCZcGDS

A year ago, Raphael House faced significant challenges. Today, we're proud to share the progress we've made and the milestones we've achieved: - Raised over $1,000,000 at our annual gala—a historic first - Provided 13,450+ meals to families in need - Supported 370 children with emotional, developmental, and academic resources - 93% of career development participants improved their goal-setting and self-advocacy skills But our impact goes beyond numbers. This fall, one of our former residents—who overcame numerous obstacles—is starting her first semester of college. These successes are a testament to the unwavering support of our community, our strategic planning, and our dedicated staff. As a majority community-funded organization, your contributions are vital in helping families build a brighter future. Read our full update to learn more about this student’s inspiring journey to college and how you can help families continue to write their success stories: https://lnkd.in/gE2dcUAC

A heartfelt message from our Board Chair, Tom Poser. Tom reflects on our recent milestones, discusses our upcoming leadership transition, and shares his vision for Raphael House's future. Read the full letter here: https://lnkd.in/gJ8Sh6rD

Huge thank you to the amazing team from BMO for wrapping birthday gifts for our kids with such enthusiasm! We're so grateful for your dedication to making a positive impact on our community 💙

Huge thanks to Zendesk for their amazing support! The team of volunteers went above and beyond with shelter cleanup, packing school supply kits, and organizing donations. We’re so grateful for the dedication to making a positive impact on our community!  

We recently held our annual Back-to-School distribution day at Raphael House! Raphael House families with students from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade received the supplies they need to start the school year with confidence. Through our Residential and Bridge Programs, we continue to offer support and stability. Even after families transition beyond our shelter, they can rely on our Back-to-School Drive for essential supplies. We are incredibly grateful for our generous donors, and the amazing volunteers at Calvary Presbyterian Church, San Francisco, for their support. Special thanks to our contributors: Dodge & Cox, PlanHR LLC, and Equal Learning Fund.

We’re delighted to welcome Cynthia Rock to our Board of Directors! Cynthia brings extensive experience in real estate management, currently serving as the Vice President of Workplace and Real Estate at Uber Technologies. With a long history of working in San Francisco and managing a global portfolio of properties, Cynthia adds a depth of strength in strategy, operations, and capital planning to our Board. Welcome, Cynthia!