San Francisco Network Ministries

San Francisco Network Ministries (SFNM) has been active in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco for more than 35 years. Its mission is largely to tend to the spiritual needs of those who live on the streets or in single resident occupancy (SRO) hotel rooms. Executive Director Reverend Glenda Hope. spends a good deal of time providing pastoral care for those living with AIDS, drug addiction, mental illness and other issues related to poverty. She provides posthumous recognition, performing memorial services for those who have died alone, unmourned and, sometimes, unknown.

With a motto of "going where we need to go", SFNM is committed to discerning where God would direct its next best efforts. Over the years, SFNM developed beautiful, low-income apartments at 555 Ellis Street. VPC was a partner in the construction of this building. SFNM established the Tenderloin Community Church at 366 Eddy Street, which also housed the Computer Training Center (CTC) offering free computer classes to homeless and low-income individuals.

Recognizing the importance of developing workplace skills and in response to ever-increasing demand, SFNM recently joined in partnership with the St. Anthony Foundation to create the cutting-edge Tenderloin Technology Lab (TTL) located at 150 Golden Gate Avenue in San Francisco, As a result of the new partnership, SFNM bade a poignant farewell to 366 Eddy which had provided a safe and loving place for many activities over the years.

Our sister church ministry in the Tenderloin does many good things, but the one that Rev. Hope speaks of most frequently is the Project Safe House, a secure residence for prostituted women designed to help them get off of the street and into productive, safe lives..

Each December, SFNM sponsors two special events. One is the annual Homeless Memorial, an ecumenical service celebrating and honoring homeless people who have died on the streets of San Francisco during the previous year. The other event is Caroling in the Tenderloin which takes place on the Sunday before Christmas. It is a chance to bring the Christmas message to the neighborhood through the transcendence of song and music.

SFNM also provides vocal and active advocacy on behalf of homeless and low-income people to the policy makers at San Francisco City Hall.

Our mission dollars help fund SFNM’s many programs.

Volunteer opportunities for SFNM include computer tutoring at the TTL and school tutoring for the children of 555 Ellis and participating in the Homeless Memorial and Christmas Caroling. Contact SFNM at www.sfnetworkministries.org

Network Ministry Web Site link

VPC contact:   Robin Polastri