Cal Voices / Cal Hope support line

Although for many the Covid-19 pandemic is now creating less stress and difficulty in everyday life, for some there are still effects that continue to impact mental and emotional health. There is a network still available through the State that can help provide support and counselling assistance, and they invite you to call or connect via their website.

Cal Voices Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) is a part of a network of organizations and individuals that are being trained to provide virtual support to Californians experiencing stress, anxiety, and/or trauma because of COVID-19.

Peer Crisis Counselors assist individuals and communities in recovering from the effects of COVID-19 by assisting Californians in understanding their current situation and reactions, mitigating stress, developing coping strategies, providing emotional support, and encouraging linkages to resources and longer term supportive services.

The flyer below has information about a telephone “warm line” that people can call if they are struggling due to COVID-19, as well as a link to our Live Chat feature where people can talk to Peer Crisis Counselors by chat. Although Cal Voices is based in Sacramento, many of us Peer Crisis Counselors work remotely throughout California.

Cal Voices line: 916-288-8535

https://www.calhopeconnect.org/

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Slow Streets for Hearst Ave. due to arrive next week

From SFMTA, an update about the long-awaited Slow Streets program for Hearst Avenue.

SFMTA will implement a Slow Street in your neighborhood next week. Hearst Avenue between Ridgewood Avenue and Baden Street was approved by the SFMTA Board to become a Slow Street back in Spring 2021. Due to a material shortage, the implementation of Lyon Street as a Slow Street had to be delayed until now.

The Slow Streets program aims to create pedestrian and bicycle priority streets that are calmer and allow for shared roadway usage between people walking, biking, rolling, exercising, or driving. The shared roadway facility is created by discouraging vehicle through traffic and encouraging slower vehicle speeds using traffic diverters and signage.

Slow Streets are not full street closures and local vehicle traffic, delivery/mail services, and emergency responders can still access the Slow Street.

Additionally, although Slow Streets are pedestrian and bicycle priority streets, pedestrians and bicyclists utilizing the Slow Street must yield the road to oncoming vehicles.

Please help inform community members in your neighborhood through your communication channels about the implementation of the Hearst Slow Street happening by the end of next week. I’ve attached a flyer for your reference that you can include in any messaging to inform community members.

For more information on the Slow Streets Program visit https://SFMTA.com/SlowStreets. If you have any questions, please email us directly at SlowStreets@sfmta.com.

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Monterey Blvd. Fire Aftermath: A neighborhood comes together for the survivors

An update on the local efforts to help the survivors of the Monterey Blvd fire on June 7th, from Katherine Carlin.

This tragedy brought Sunnyside together in a truly beautiful way. Residents raised over $20,000 in monetary compensation for the displaced families and for the funeral expenses of Yolanda Milton. Other good news is that the building is scheduled to be repaired starting next week, and we have hope that our neighbors will come home after those repairs are done. This is so important because there are children who belong at Sunnyside Elementary when classes return in person in the fall!

I am new to Sunnyside, having moved here from San Mateo in October of 2019. Because Roel and I live next door to the fire (and because I started my career as a community organizer) it felt completely natural to rally everyone in the neighborhood to help. What we didn’t foresee—what really surprised and even overwhelmed us—was the magnitude of people’s kindness and generosity.

When we opened our garage door to accept donations of children’s clothing, gift cards, and cash, we didn’t expect that two hours later, we’d be sorting through and divvying up close to six thousand dollars in cash and gift cards. People came to offer words of comfort, and people from different income levels gave whatever they could. Sunnyside is not a snooty place in San Francisco, it is diverse and it is grounded, and now I can say with authority that the people here look out for and take care of each other.

So much good has come from this tragedy. The five victims themselves have expressed to me, over and over again, that the outpouring of love, support, and financial assistance made them feel less afraid, more held, and safer through a very scary and threatening experience. On a personal level, it’s made me appreciate the heart and spirit of this community. I feel like this is home for us now, and I want to thank everyone who contributed in any way to this effort.

If you loved the feeling of contributing as a community, please stay abreast of the work of Perla Villa for The Sunnyside Community Pantry (find it on Facebook). She not only organized her group to donate significant resources to the fire victims, she’s working to feed families in this neighborhood every day.

–Katherine Carlin

Thank yous posted on the wall, after the June 7th fire Monterey Blvd at Detroit. Photo: Sunnyside Neighborhood Association
Thank yous posted on the wall, after the June 7th fire Monterey Blvd at Detroit. Photo: Sunnyside Neighborhood Association
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Traffic Calming proposed for Joost and Mangels

At the June 4, 2021, SFMTA Engineering Hearing: Speed cushions are proposed on Joost Ave between Congo/Detroit and Gennessee/Ridgewood) and for Mangels Ave. (between Baden/Congo). More about the meeting here. Agenda here (pdf).

Residents wishing to request traffic calming for their block can find out more here. Deadline for this cycle closes in just one week, on June 30, 2021. Currently the petition requirement is being waived.

https://www.sfmta.com/sites/default/files/reports-and-documents/2021/06/ph_7_2_2021.pdf