How a DJ Collective Threw a Dance Party to Support Homeless Families at Raphael House
Dan Parsons and his friends Peter Reiseman, Alex Zekoff, and Parker Mills were looking for a way to make an impact in their community. Seeing the extent of the homeless crisis in San Francisco, they wanted to find a local charity that helps alleviate family homelessness. After a quick Google search and learning more about […]
“I wasn’t like other kids in school. I didn’t like moving around everywhere.”
Children experiencing homelessness are 87 percent more likely to drop out of school than their stably housed peers (source). However, Jessica’s story of hard work, dedication, and perseverance at Raphael House shows that it’s possible to beat the odds. But without your support today, Raphael House won’t be able to continue helping young people escape […]
A Preview of College Life for Teenagers on Our Annual College Tour Trip
When families leave Raphael House, they continue to have access to an array of services through our Bridge Program to help them maintain their housing and financial stability. One of our favorite traditions—which has been taking place since 2010—is Raphael House’s annual college tours trip for teens. On the itinerary this year were colleges throughout […]
Another Successful Back-to-School Giveaway Provides Children With a Head Start This School Year
At Raphael House, we realize the importance of giving children a head start into the school year—especially children experiencing homelessness. Research shows that children without stable housing are more likely to show poor classroom engagement and social skills in school. This year at our annual Back-to-School giveaway, we provided 173 children in our Residential Shelter […]
How One of Our Youngest Donors Raised $800 to Buy Back-to-School Supplies for Children Experiencing Homelessness
This year, Raphael House provided backpacks and school supplies to 173 children in our Residential Shelter and Bridge Programs during our Back-to-School giveaway! For families at-risk of or experiencing homelessness, even the smallest seasonal expenses can threaten their financial stability. This is just one reason why parents and children look forward to this giveaway every […]
9,784 People Experiencing Homelessness in San Francisco
9,784: That’s the number of people experiencing homelessness in San Francisco during the latest Point-In-Time Count, representing a 30% increase from 2017. Family homelessness is unfortunately on the rise, too. This year, 201 homeless families were identified—up 6% from 2017. This number is likely much higher, as families “doubled up” in the homes of family/friends or staying […]
Breaking the Cycle of Family Homelessness Through Healthy Habits
When Della Tarantino and her family were evicted from their San Francisco apartment due to a building sale, she was devastated. It was 1999, and nearly impossible to find affordable housing in the Bay Area. Unable to make ends meet, Della was forced to send two of her boys to Guatemala to be with family. […]
Volunteer Spotlight: The Resilience of the Human Spirit
Every aspect of life at Raphael House depends on the much-needed support of our volunteers. Our dedicated volunteers help Raphael House families experiencing homelessness in many ways, from helping children in our Tutoring Club to serving warm meals in our Residential Shelter kitchen. This past week, our amazing kitchen volunteer Gwendolyn from Braze (pictured above […]