February 2025 eNews
Dear friends,
This last month has been a difficult one, from the devastating fires in LA to the onslaught of Executive Orders and new legislation targeting immigrants and trans people, as well as ongoing threats to the social services that so many of us depend on to survive. As we look ahead to the coming months, we at SDA are working to figure out how we can meet this moment, where we are best positioned to fight and stand together against fascism. We have been gathering a list of resources and action opportunities for surviving and resisting on our website, and have now held two community conversations on where we go from here under Trump's administration. We will be continuing to discuss this and make plans at our General Meeting next week — Thursday, February 13, from 10am to 12pm on Zoom and at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Franklin and Geary in SF. Zoom access information will be sent out later this week. Please invite folks you know who are feeling lost and looking for community and ways to help. We hope you will join us.
During MLK weekend, SDA staff and members were in the streets for numerous solidarity protests. Read a recap of our MLK weekend activities here. Stay tuned for further actions SDA staff and members will be joining. For a full list of program meetings and other SDA events, visit the events page of our website.
Finally, we know that information about the federal funding freeze and its impacts has been confusing and in flux. The American Association of People with Disabilities has created an excellent resource, Explaining the Impact of the Federal Funding Pause on People with Disabilities, which they are updating with information on the details and effects of these attacks, as well as ways to take action.
We recognize that these are incredibly challenging times, but we are in this fight together. Read on for further news from the SDA world and opportunities to plug in.
““Hope flows from knowing that we are not bound by the rigid and relative confines of legislatures, courtrooms, or oval offices — that outer limits exist only if we accept them as real. … Liberation is conceived by our imagination, carried in our hearts, and birthed through our revolutionary madness.””
SDA News & Highlights
Senior and Disability Survival School at Richmond Senior Center
Join us for the final sessions of our dynamic Senior and Disability Survival School at Richmond Senior Center! Learn essential skills while connecting with your community and local resources.
February 6, 9:30 to 11am: Learn to protect yourself and your rights! We'll cover:
Expert tips from elder abuse prevention specialists
Identifying and defending yourself from scams targeting seniors
Institute on Aging's Friendship Line — 24/7 warmline for connection, support, and caring conversations
SDA's Community Resource Program and peer advocacy support
Our last class on February 13, 9:30 to 11am, will be our graduation day and a celebration of our senior and disabled communities.
New participants welcome! These free classes are open to all seniors and people with disabilities — join us even if you didn’t attend previous classes.
Where: Richmond Senior Center, 6221 Geary St., San Francisco. 3rd floor. Elevator access with a ramp up to the elevator.
When: Thursday, February 6 and 13, 9:30 to 11:00am
RSVPs encouraged: Call Liza at 415-546-1333 or email liza@sdaction.org
Masks required and provided.
SDA is also partnering with SF Unified School District’s Access transition program to bring survival skills and disability pride to students ages 18-22. Through interactive workshops, students are learning about healthcare rights, accessible transportation, and disability culture while creating art that celebrates their unique contributions to our disability justice movement.
Want to bring Survival School classes to your community? We’re looking to expand the program across the city. Get in touch with Liza (liza@sdaction.org) if you’re connected to a local community space and interested in inviting SDA to organize a series of free educational classes!
Facilitator training for SDA members
As organizers and activists, we spend so much time in meetings, and we know what a big difference they make. Facilitators help our meetings work by planning agendas, leading discussions, paying attention to group dynamics, and keeping our meetings moving. The more of us who can lead great meetings (or parts of meetings), the stronger our movement will be! This training will help you plan and facilitate effective, inclusive meetings. Whether you’ve never facilitated before or you’re just looking for some new tips, please join us for this interactive session.
When: Tuesday, February 18, 2025, 1 to 3pm
Where: Zoom
Who: SDA members
Fill out this form to register, and share any access or interpretation needs.
Stop Muni service cuts!
Join SDA at the SFMTA Meeting on Tuesday, February 4 at 1pm to give public comment on why you love Muni and want to see it fully funded. If you can make it, or if you’re interested in flyering in support of this campaign, email mia@sdaction.org or sign our Muni petition and write to the Mayor here.
The SFMTA meeting is located at: City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA. Room 400, Floor 4.
Masks for Equity park hangout: Sunday, February 16, 2 to 5pm
Come join us for our next masked outdoor park hangout in Golden Gate Park on Sunday, February 16 from 2 to 5pm!
What: Casual masked outdoor social gathering for SDA members and people interested in connecting with our Covid safety organizing. Come to get involved or just hang out with other friendly Covid-conscious people! Games and crafts are welcome.
When: Sunday February 16, 2 to 5pm PT
Where: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA. RSVP here or to Liza (liza@sdaction.org) for the exact address.
Who: Members of Masks for Equity (part of SDA) and others interested in connecting with pandemic justice organizing and community building.
Access and COVID safety: Well-fitting KN95/KF94/N95 masks (or better) required at all times and provided. Please do not unmask while sitting with the group, and walk away from the group if you need to take a sip. Also do not attend if you are showing any new (not chronic/preexisting) COVID symptoms or if you have been in contact with anyone showing any new COVID symptoms. We will send a link for anonymous contact-tracing in case anyone tests positive for COVID after the event. Thanks for keeping our community safe!
We are confirming the exact location now and will update anyone who RSVPs. Access details for our previous location, which we will likely use again: No bathrooms on site, but there is a wheelchair-accessible bathroom about 0.2 miles away with entrances directly from outside, with windows that allow airflow. There is usually ample street parking on site. Please bring something to sit on. Blankets, folding chairs, etc.
Invite your friends and community! RSVPs are helpful but not required.
Questions? Access requests? Fill out the RSVP form or contact Liza (info above).
SDA's Mutual Aid Project winds down
After nearly five years, the Cross-Bay Mutual Aid Project has come to a close. Emerging from conversations between SDA, Bay Resistance, Jobs with Justice, and Causa Justa::Just Cause in the early days of the pandemic, the project focused on supporting seniors, people with disabilities and immigrants, who were going to be some of the most affected by COVID. Read more about the story of the mutual aid program and its impacts on our website.
Elevator repair win in Mosser Towers
Last month Li Lovett, an aide with former Supervisor Dean Preston's office reached out to SDA with a tenant of a 16 story building in the Tenderloin who was suffering from months of elevator outages. You can imagine the impact broken elevators would have on a 16 story building! We worked with the tenant to push the landlord (Mosser) and elevator repair company (Otis) to the table to come to agreement on returning the elevator to service. The parties met and were able to come to agreement, and the repairs will resume today (February 4). A timeline for reopening will be announced after assessments are made. This is a great win and upcoming relief for the tenants that have been suffering for months. A big shout out to Jean Dizon, former Supervisor Dean Preston, and Li Lovett!
Member Spotlight: Luis Castillo
Luis Castillo has been involved with SDA for a long time, and is a leader of efforts to fix the elevator at Hallidie Plaza, by the Powell BART Station. Read Luis’ member spotlight on our website.
Become a member of SDA! Here’s how to join (or renew your dues) today!
Go to our website and find the option that works best for you.
Have questions? Email info@sdaction.org or contact one of the SDA organizers.
Community Resource Corner
The Community Resource program is led by Damara Lopez and staffed by our team of Peer Advocates. The Peer Advocates field calls and concerns on a variety of issues and work to help people find the right support or redress for their problem.
If you need help...
Getting your benefits, such as SSI, SSDI, CalFresh
Finding home care
Understanding a confusing letter or document you received
Getting services in the language you prefer
With your housing situation
Our Peer Advocates can help answer your questions and direct you to the appropriate resources. Call 415-546-1333 and leave a message or come by during our drop-in hours. To find our up-to-date hours of operation, or to send us an email, visit the Community Resource page on our website.
Resource Highlight: Affordable housing opportunities
The Quincy on 555 Bryant Street and Chase SF on 603 Tennessee Street are both currently taking lottery applications!
The Quincy is located in SoMa and applications will be due February 21, 2025. Click here to see the Quincy listing and apply.
Chase SF is located in Potrero Hill and applications will be due this week, February 6, 2025. Click here to see the Chase listing and apply.
Community News & Events
Educational Forum: What is the Office of Health Care Affordability? Who Wins, Who Loses?
The Movement to Stop the Privatization of Medicare organized an online forum on January 23 to address the problems of the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) in California. SDA members Ana Malinow and Michael Lyon, along with other physicians and advocates, discussed the implications that this office has on Medicare coverage. They talked about the ways that OHCA is simply recreating existing administrative problems surrounding the privatization of the health care system in California in particular. This was a very educational event that brought clarity to the need for a system focused on health and not profit. Find the link to the OHCA webinar recording here.
Community Living Campaign: Black History Month event
The Community Living Campaign, along with Sunnyside and Midtown Terrace Community Connectors, invite you to our Black History Month Celebration. Staff member Oliva Franco will be telling the story of Yanga, who was the first freedom fighter of the Western Hemisphere. She has traveled and met the descendants of Yanga in Veracruz, MX and wants you to learn about this important but under-reported piece of history. Details below.
Yanga, first freedom fighter of the Americas
Friday, February 7, 12 to 1:30pm
Glen Park Rec Center — 70 Elk Street, SF
SF Speaker: Olivia Franco
Refreshments will be served
Sponsors: Glen Park Rec Center, CLC, Sunnyside and Midtown Community Connectors
Join us for music, history and food that relates to this exciting story! All ages welcome. Contact Olivia at olivia@sfcommunityliving.org with any questions.
Resources on Palestine and Disability
SDA continues to stand in support of Palestinians and call for an immediate end to the violence Israel is inflicting on Palestinian people and their land. Go to our website for some resources on disability and Palestine and opportunities to support. If you know of other resources or action opportunities to share, please let us know!
Let's build this movement together.
Please become a member or donate today!
Senior and Disability Action
P.O. Box 423388
San Francisco, CA 94103
www.sdaction.org
(415) 546-1333
Please let us know if you have any issue with the email format or if there are changes you think we should make. Thank you for reading!