ON THE SURFACE, the corner of Golden Gate and Leavenworth looks unchanged in decades. Like much of the Tenderloin, there are still a lot of people hanging out on the sidewalk—some talking to themselves. There are still drug dealers hawking their wares and the intermittant screams of police sirens. There are still dozens of residential motels. And so many of the marks of poverty, mental illness, addiction and chronic homelessness.
MARCH 04, 2015
[ in the Tenderloin ]
A reporter from the local FOX station spent a day and night in the Tenderloin and seemed to only speak to people who were mentally ill and on drugs. What about the families? The seniors? It seemed to focus on the scary side of the Tenderloin.
SOUND PORTRAITS FROM THE TENDERLOIN
Carolynn
69, retiree
After a $9.3 million renovation, the new Boeddeker Park is now open. Here's a video of the ribbon cutting ceremony.
DECEMBER 10, 2014
She lives in supportive housing for people with mental and physical illnesses. She is happy by nature, but she's happier now.
Who's on the corner...
Kim
43, resident
Josephine
43, union organizer
He moved to SF with a wife and daughter. After his divorce, he stayed to be part of his daughter's life. Now, he hotel hops in the Tenderloin.
Solomon
39, father
But that's just the surface. Most people see that and keep moving. Fast. It's uncomfortable. But one neighborhood resident Dina Hillard believes it's important that people don't look away. That we slow down, meet the residents—especially the families and the seniors—as well as the many people working to improve life in the TL. And that's what we did, spending almost a year getting to know the people who live and work near the intersection.
FPO
FPO
FPO
Two students from DeMarillac Academy read poems they wrote about their neighborhood.
Britney and Karina
13, students in 8th grade
MARCH 09, 2015
KALW: Gubbio Project provides a sacred space for homeless to sleep during the day
Reporter Angela Johnston spent a day at the Gubbio Project at St. Boniface on Golden Gate. It's a great piece. Give a listen below.
I met Micke on the corner outside the union as union members were getting ready for the monthly
"4 Corner Friday" event.
Micke
44, homeless
FPO
She lives around the corner, but comes to Golden Gate and Leavvenworth every month to pick up her social security check at Lutheran Social Services.