“We kicked off this year’s San Francisco Juneteenth Parade right at Spear and Market streets. The beat of music filled the air, a parade of sounds that celebrated Black joy in every note. Classic muscle cars rolled by, polished and gleaming under the morning sun, as families lined the sidewalks smiling and dancing.”
Glide Memorial Church also honored San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) Chief Bill Scott, who was transitioning from his role as one of San Francisco’s longest-serving chiefs of police. It’s rare to witness a chief of police being celebrated alongside the Executive Director of San Francisco Pride, but that’s the heart of Glide Memorial Church—an unwavering commitment to bridging communities and embracing all people.
“Freedom delayed is not freedom denied,” proclaimed Eric McDonnell, Chair of the African American Reparations Advisory Committee and guest speaker at Glide Memorial Church on Father’s Day. “Even when the world tries to leave us behind, God says, ‘I see you. I love you. I care for you.’”
HAPPY JUNETEENTH! Today, we celebrate not only the Emancipation Proclamation– but everything that Black people have done to liberate and transform this country! We will
Social Service Providers As Pioneers in Transformative and Restorative Justice Restorative and transformative justice are ways of dealing with harm that focus on healing instead
My name is Vincent Smith. I’m 61. I’ve been coming to GLIDE since 1993. I’m originally from Richmond, Virgina. My 12-year-old daughter was killed by a drunk driver. I knew the person who did it, but did not want to take any action for fear of any repercussions. Frankly, I was just too scared to go back home. So, I moved to California.
“I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. I’m 58 years old. I’ve been coming to GLIDE to get my meals for nearly eleven years. I was a former police officer for the NYPD. I was at the Trade Center on 9/11 when the planes hit. Hurricane Sandy flooded my home while I was living in New York. I’ve been coming to GLIDE at least five days a week for breakfast, and sometimes for lunch and dinner. The food is good and the staff are wonderful. They are so welcoming. They know me by name now. It’s like family. I feel I’m treated like a human being.”
“When you’re ready, I’ll be here,” Jamika explained to a person who was just waking up on the sidewalk at the corner of Jones and
The Women’s Center is a hub of healing, empowerment, and connection for women in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood. Grounded in trauma-informed care and cultural humility, the Center provides a safe, welcoming space where women, especially those impacted by violence, housing instability, poverty, and discrimination, can access comprehensive support to stabilize their lives and thrive.
At the end of the day, I felt a profound sense of accomplishment. I had met with lawmakers, raised awareness about vital issues, and collaborated with fellow advocates to ensure our voices were heard.
