Open Heart SF

San Francisco Open Heart.Org

A member-based community organizing group invested in serving the homeless of San Francisco by working towards economic equity and improving access to mental and medical care

We are working towards creating supportive housing, as well as designing a 24-hour drop-in facility for substance users and individuals seeking psychiatric care for themselves or their loved ones. We are committed to shaping the social, political and medical climate of homeless communities to usher those in need towards stability and success.

We are led by a diverse, inclusive community of Christian faith, dedicated to serving as a voice for human rights in the United States, but every child of God is equal in His eyes and faith is no requirement to join our mission! Our vision is a just and equitable society in which every person can experience abundant life because the human dignity of all people is respected, the human rights of all are safeguarded, and all are treated as beloved members of the human family, formed in the image of God.

Our Team

Yousef Saleh, Founder: Yousef Saleh (he/him), a San Francisco native currently residing in the outer mission, has a background as a legal professional working in plaintiff class action law firms in employment and antitrust law. Yousef founded SF-OH in 2020. As a Bible study group leader devastated by the impact of fentanyl on his community, he realized he was blessed with a support network of like-minded people to take action to protect and support the vulnerable among God's children. Believing that the Good News of Jesus' ministry means liberation for all, Yousef is devoted to the cause of justice and the struggle to end all forms of oppression (Luke 4:18-19). He regards justice as an essential tenet of the Christian Gospel and the prophetic biblical witness, central to the work of the Christian Church and the spiritual life of its people (Micah 6:8).

Gabriel Guerrero, Strategist: Gabriel Guerrero (they/them), our event coordinator, is a third generation San Francisco native serving as our warm and welcoming event coordinator with a background in palliative care at VITAS Healthcare. They are responsible for fundraising and development strategies through 2021. They have been a successful fundraising professional for a variety of social justice organizations, such as the LGBTQ Freedom Fund and Do No Harm.

Timeo Davis, Strategist: Timeo Davis (he/him) is an impassioned lead on regional planning projects and strives to hold the city accountable to equitable zoning and land use. After spending 12 years in the medical field honing her operations management and leadership skills, she is instrumental in coordinating our efforts to serve meals and supplies.

Jazmin Augirre, Strategist: Jazmin Augirre (she/her) is a strategist we are proud to have on our team! She has a B.S. in Social Work, has decades of experience in Senior Leadership in the SF Bay Area nonprofit sector and has worked for longstanding organizations such as Rubicon and Bay Area Community Services. She has primarily worked with adults and families experiencing behavioral health crises, as well as social and environmental injustices such as lack of food, employment and inadequate housing.

Zoya Negasi, Strategist: Zoya Negasi (she/her) focuses on the needs of San Francisco's unhoused and food-insecure. She has a B.A. in Urban Studies and Planning from San Francisco State University and brought her experience as an intern with the California Department of Transportation to our grateful table.

Members

NPCS

• Denise Barnes
• Gabriel Guerrero

PCs

• Liliana
• WhyteRabbit

Our Programs

Economic Empowerment

We strive to increase opportunities for individual and collective wealth in San Francisco through workshops teaching employable skills, worker's rights, and financial savvy such as effective savings, home and commercial ownership, small business and entrepreneurship.

Crisis Response

The Crisis Response Program is responsible for the logistics that put our boots on the ground, doing direct outreach to our more urgent cases, or more specific cases. Mothers in need, individuals going through mental health issues, and people facing displacement from the city are just a few examples of the types of people our Crisis Response program serves.

Civic Engagement

Our Civic Engagement program does outreach work, such as meal and supply distribution and neighborhood cleanup. We address the immediate needs of unhoused populations across San Francisco and perform advocacy and organizing on behalf of and with unhoused people in San Francisco.

Food Justice

We advocate and organize policy efforts to bring resources to San Francisco's most vulnerable residents. We Alleviate food insecurity in marginalized communities through the distribution and redistribution of food (food rescue), essential supplies and resources, and we are putting pressure on San Francisco's corner stores to expand the access to fresh and nutritious food options in poor neighborhoods.

Housing Justice

Housing is a basic human right and we intend to uphold it. We strive to increase traditional and innovative housing options for no-to-low income residents of San Francisco, holding the powers that be accountable.

Volunteer

Membership Benefits

Members of SFOH receive the following benefits:

• Access to member-only communications
• Advanced notification and priority RSVP for select events
• Member-only events
• Access to invite-only, complimentary or discounted events from affiliated/friend organizations
• Opportunities to represent SFOH at special events

Member Engagement

Members of SFOH are encouraged to share ideas, lend your network, lend your skills and show up to impact change in San Francisco by engaging in the following ways:

• Attend monthly general body meetings which feature updates on initiatives and events, special community presentations, and more!
• Serve on the Economic Empowerment, Crisis Response, or Civic Engagement committees
• Attend SFOH events

Member Dues

Membership is free!

The website provides a Google Forms link to fill out to apply. To apply ICly, send in a +Request.

Organization Type:	Advocacy for the Homeless
Founded:	2021
Membership:	Free, open to anybody (via +request)

News

2021

In 2021, we're hoping to create supportive housing for a community housing partnership, as well as to design and advocate for a new 24-hour drop-in facility for substance users!

• June Clarion Alley Street Fair: With the talent of entertainers Najibula War Rug and DJ GUTFÜK, plus wonderful local food vendors, we were able to raise money towards our goal of establishing a 24-hour drop-in facility.
• May Workforce readiness workshop: We held our first workforce and skills development workshop for formerly incarcerated, low-income and communities of color facing barriers to the workforce.