Author: Seth Abrahamson

Heartfelt thanks: Celebrating our incredible supporters

Posted on by Seth Abrahamson

Dear Friend,

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, it is with a full heart that I write to simply say thank you. I am filled with immense gratitude and joy as I reflect on the unwavering support we’ve received from you: our incredible community. With profound humility, I acknowledge the indispensable role you’ve played in our – PRC’s – journey.

A Shared Vision

Our work has been driven by a vision of positive transformation, human connection, and community impact. We believe that together, we can make a difference, and your steadfast support has been the catalyst for turning this vision into reality. Whether you’ve been with us from the start or joined us along the way, your commitment to our cause and our clients has been the cornerstone of some of our greatest successes.

Empowering Lives, Making a Difference

Through your generous contributions, both in time and resources, we have been able to initiate and sustain projects that empower and transform lives, while making a lasting impact. From providing emergency financial assistance and recovery services through our Hummingbirds and residential treatment programs to graduating leaders in our LiftUp programs and offering a host of workforce development and legal supports, your partnership has been the driving force behind every success story.

Community Building

One of the most beautiful aspects of PRC is the sense of community that we’ve built together. Your engagement at events and willingness to share our mission with your network and foster a sense of belonging among fellow supporters have created a powerful ripple effect. Together, we are not just an organization. We are a community united by a common goal.

Gratitude in Action

As we express our gratitude, it’s essential to acknowledge the tangible outcomes that your support has enabled. Your contributions help over 5,000 people each year to receive essential resources and play a pivotal role in our policy reform efforts aimed at advancing equity and social justice issues. These achievements are a testament to the collective strength of our community.

Looking Forward

As we’ve acknowledged our past challenges, which have led to our current successes, we are excited about what the future has in store. Your ongoing support is crucial as we continue to innovate, expand our reach, and address new challenges. We are confident that with you by our side, PRC will continue to be a positive force for change.

Thank you so much again for being an integral part of the PRC family.

With gratitude,

Chuan Teng, Chief Executive Officer, PRC

P.S. In case you missed our correspondence about our recent Mighty Real fundraiser, check out our recap and photos, and join us for Songs of the Season on Dec 5th and 6th!

P.P.S. As we near the season of Giving and Giving Tuesday, we would be so grateful if you considered PRC in your end-of-year giving.

PRC’s Mighty Real affirmed the power of transformation and human connection. 

Posted on by Seth Abrahamson

PRC is thrilled to share about its incredibly successful Mighty Real Fundraising event that took place on Thursday, November 9th, at the stunning venue, Saint Joseph’s Arts Society. This fabulous evening, named after the signature song, “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real),” of our generous benefactor and disco legend Sylvester, was a celebration of transformation and human connection that raised essential funds for our programs that help more than 5,000 individuals each year to transform their lives for the better.   

This year’s theme was transformation, and we curated the evening to showcase how PRC’s services transform our clients’ lives, the progress and growth we have experienced within PRC over the last year, and the power of human connection.  

Dale Johannes | Master of Ceremonies
Front entrance of Saint Joseph’s Arts Society

Even the venue was a symbol of transformation. Saint Joseph’s Arts Society itself was transformed from a church that closed due to earthquake damage to a breathtakingly beautiful community gathering space and outlet for local artists to display their work. Its location around the corner from PRC’s Integrated Services Center in the heart of the community we serve made it the perfect space for the evening.   

A guest writes a letter of encouragement to a PRC client
A home covered in mirror next to a statement explaining how PRC’s Emergency Financial Assistance supports clients as part of a scavenger hunt
The winning bidder of a disco heart holds up the item to display to nearby guests

Attendees were encouraged to engage in fun and informative activities as they enjoyed decadent food, libations, music, and community connection. Both staff and clients attended as ambassadors, giving everyone an opportunity to meet the people changing lives, and to hear directly from individuals who have benefitted from them. We enticed guests to explore the unique venue through a curated scavenger hunt to find one-of-a-kind disco items created by PRC’s Seth Abrahamson, each relating to one of our five main program areas, and were later auctioned off. As inspirational energy filled the space, we offered guests an opportunity to write a message of encouragement to a client, an uplifting note from a community that believes in them and is cheering them on. Genuine smiles filled the room from start to finish.  

PRC Clients Ranella Benzarti and Porshay Taylor looking and feeling Mighty Real

A pivotal moment of the evening transpired as PRC CEO Chuan Teng encouraged guests to raise a light in response to a series of questions that genuinely reflected their life experiences. For instance, if they knew someone in recovery, if they had lost someone to a substance use disorder, or if they believed transformation is possible. 

Guests hold up small electronic candles indicating a connection to someone who has been affected by substance use disorder or mental health

The evening included inspirational speeches from PRC CEO Chuan Teng, PRC Employment Specialist and former client Jasmine Conley (watch here in case you missed it), Sylvester Pillar Awardee Joshua Gamson, Keystone Service Awardee San Francisco Pride represented by Executive Director Suzanne Ford, Outstanding Corporate Partner Awardee Wells Fargo represented by VP of Philanthropy and Community Impact Lorenzo Cordova, and San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey. 

Volunteers greet guests as they enter the breathtakingly beautiful Saint Joseph’s Arts Society

A live auction included trips to Italy, Hawaii, and a year of dining out at 12 of San Francisco’s finest restaurants. Guests also gave generously by participating in the fund-a-need paddle raise which culminated in the ability to purchase backpacks for clients filled with emergency provisions.

To close out the evening we danced to the live sounds of DotCom and the Noise. Even this had a connection to transformation as the band’s lead singer shared how he’s benefitted from PRC’s supportive services. 

DotCom and the Noise

With our community’s support, we accomplished something incredible. Together, we raised funds for PRC’s essential services, which are vital for San Francisco’s most vulnerable individuals.

A Mighty Real thank you to our event chair Darren Smith, event co-chair Nichole Wiley, the incredible volunteers for making the night a smooth success, PRC staff and client ambassadors, and our generous sponsors: Janice Berthold Heffernan Insurance Brokers, Daniel Hancock & Kent Roger, Scan Medicare Advantage, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Allied Universal, Chevron, Cotchett Pitre & McCarthy, Kaiser Permanente, Josh & Dana Frieman & Brian Schneider and Robert Lieberman, JP Morgan, Michael Niczyporuk & Rachel Forisha, Nuveen Real Estate, Anonymous, Brayer Electric, CBF Electric & Data, Hayse Group Inc., JLL, Leo Levenson Consulting & Rebecca Levenson Consulting, Quest Diagnostics, Skyline Construction, and San Francisco Bay Times (see our write up on page 20).

The full photo gallery from the evening can be accessed here.

If you would like to extend your support of this year’s Mighty Real, you still can.

If you were unable to join us for this uplifting evening, don’t worry. We would love for you to join us for one or both of two nights of holiday cabaret at Songs of the Season, on Tuesday, and Wednesday, December 5th, and 6th, at Feinstein’s at the Nikko.

Tickets are now on sale

PRC’s Open House was an Incredible Success

Posted on by Seth Abrahamson

PRC’s Open House on Wednesday, September 13th, was an incredible and interactive display of our life-changing services. The energy in the building was electric thanks to our community of fellow change-makers.

Our goal was to show guests the breadth of our services, our dedicated program staff, and the spaces where these life-changing experiences take place. We shared client profiles to reflect many of the real-life situations our clients face, and curated experiences displayed the dedication and empathy our clients receive through our Workforce Development, Legal Advocacy, Emergency Financial Assistance, Black Transgender Initiative, Residential treatment, and Co-Op programs, as well as our policy work through the Black Leadership Council and resources and trainings though the San Francisco HIV Frontline Organizing Group.

One highlight of the evening was the unveiling of an art piece (pictured above) recognizing longtime PRC volunteers Gary Virginia and Donna Sachet. For more than 25 years, this duo has worked tirelessly to produce their namesake Pride Brunch event benefiting PRC and raised more than $650,000 in net proceeds since its inception in 1999. The aforementioned art piece will be permanently and prominently displayed at PRC’s Integrated Service Center.  

We’ve gotten such positive feedback from our guests about this unique opportunity to experience PRC’s transformational programs and the incredible individuals providing them. We hope this isn’t our last open house and you’ll join us for this or a tour of our facilities.

Other ways you can get involved: Donate if you can. Come to our November 9 Mighty Real Gala. Tickets go on sale later this week! Have your employer match your donation or sponsor our gala or recommend us for a grant.

Also, spread the word! The more people who know about PRC, the greater impact we can have on transforming the lives of San Franciscans in need. Introduce your friends to PRC by forwarding this email or sharing via our social channels. They’re linked below. Urge your policymakers to expand support for behavioral health services so that we can help even more people.

It’s our city. Each one of us plays a part in making it the beautifully diverse and inclusive place we call home. When we work together, anything is possible.

In community,
PRC

An update from PRC CEO Chuan Teng

Posted on by Seth Abrahamson

Dear Friend,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. For PRC, the past ten months have been a dynamic time of transformation, one in which we have become a stronger, more resilient, and more effective organization. As we embark upon the new fiscal year, I am pleased to report on the progress we have achieved and share exciting opportunities in the year ahead.

Strengthened Financial Condition 
Since last fall, PRC has undergone an ambitious endeavor to strengthen the organization’s financial condition. In this pursuit, we have scrutinized expenses, renegotiated leases and vendor contracts, and reduced costs wherever possible. In January 2023, we completed the successful transfers of two under-utilized and under-funded residential programs to another provider. These transfers completed the organization’s planned restructuring and also significantly simplified operations and reduced overall expenses.

Importantly, the savings we achieved were realized without reducing staff salaries. In fact, last March, we implemented a 4% salary increase for all staff except for select executive leaders. The organization will continue to make critical investments that prioritize staff compensation to address sector-wide staffing shortages and uphold its commitment to fair and competitive wages.

Completed Financial Analysis and Sustainability Plan
With help from the City Controller’s Office, PRC completed a detailed financial analysis of the organization and its programs. Based on this analysis, we partnered with our largest funder, the San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH), to correct long-standing, underfunded contracts. We also developed a financial sustainability plan to establish a sustainable, cost-neutral organizational model to deliver the most critical behavioral health and social services programs for people affected by HIV, substance use, or mental health issues in San Francisco.

Grew Capacity for Finance, Operations, and Compliance
Over the past several months, PRC received several capacity-building grants to enhance functions within its finance and operations departments. Important investments were made to hire a new Real Estate Asset Manager, Director of Contract Compliance and Data Systems, and a seasoned Consulting Chief Financial Officer with over two decades of experience working for the City and County of San Francisco. As a result of these investments, the organization has developed and implemented a new contract management database, initiated the upgrade of its financial management system to Sage Intacct, and completed capital needs assessments for the majority of its properties.  

Transformed Lives
Amidst all of this progress, PRC continues to empower 5,000 people annually to create positive transformation in their lives through housing, mental health, and substance use treatment, legal advocacy, workforce development, and emergency financial assistance. Additionally, PRC through the Black Leadership Council, continues to advance health equity policies and is co-sponsoring their first bill AB 85 (Weber), which will require health plans to include coverage for social determinants of health screenings, as well as other policies that advance health, wealth, housing, and education for Black and low-income communities of color.

We recently released our 2021/22 annual impact report, which not only demonstrates the effectiveness of our programs but also captures beautiful client stories and reflects our collective effort.

Opportunities Ahead
In the year ahead, PRC is undertaking several new initiatives, including growing its housing navigation services and diversifying funding streams through new revenues from the state and private institutions. We believe these changes are necessary to respond to the humanitarian crisis of homelessness, adapt to state-wide behavioral health policy reforms, as well as ensure long-term organizational sustainability. As always, we will guide strategic decision-making with the goal of improving client experience and creating greater community impact.
 
We are in a much better, stronger, and more effective place than we were last fall, all due to the hard work of our dedicated staff and board members – we’re thrilled to announce a new appointment with Tamarah Prevost, Partner at Cotchett Pitre & McCarthy LLP – as well as the commitment of our partners and the generous support of our community. We cannot say thank you enough.

In gratitude,


Chuan Teng
PRC CEO

A note from Gary Virginia and Donna Sachet

Posted on by Seth Abrahamson

Dear Friend,


Our 25th annual Pride Brunch on Saturday, June 24, was a huge success! A record-breaking 350 guests attended, net proceeds of $78,000 exceeded all previous years, and every SF Pride Community Grand Marshal spoke passionately to our attendees. The Westin St. Francis Hotel in Union Square came alive with colorful decor, lively entertainment, hosted bars from Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Korbel, a delicious seated brunch, and a meaningful program augmented by comments from Mayor London Breed, State Senator Scott Wiener, and Assemblymember Matt Haney. If you missed it, our photo gallery and other photos on social media reveal why so many people call this their favorite SF Pride event.

We are so proud that what began as a grassroots opportunity for our community to gather during Pride weekend and raise funds for PRC, has developed into a highly anticipated, must-attend event. While still preserving the fun and surprises for which we are known, this year’s benefit also recognized 12 Legacy Partners, friends who contributed to the success of Pride Brunch over many years.

We appreciate our generous financial sponsors, the donors to the raffle and auction, those who bought raffle tickets and bid enthusiastically, and every single person who chose to support Pride Brunch with their attendance or donations. Our team of volunteers and PRC staff juggled many responsibilities
and dedicated hours to this year’s success. We are still floating on air from the many compliments we’ve received and accept them on behalf of everyone who made this a record year.

We thank all who participated for helping us raise more than $645,000 in net proceeds since 1999 to support the life-changing work of PRC.

Sincerely,

Gary Virginia & Donna Sachet
Co-Founders, Pride Brunch

25th.Anniv.Pride.Brunch_Hewitt.Visuals-136
Hover your cursor on the image above then click the right/left arrows to view the curated photo gallery

The full gallery of photos taken by the talented Sonya Abrams and Vita Hewitt can be viewed here.

Cut your Medicare prescription drug costs with “ExtraHelp”

Posted on by Seth Abrahamson

Great news: thanks to the new prescription drug law, the Inflation Reduction Act, in 2024, people with Medicare may qualify for even more savings through the Extra Help program. This program helps some people pay their Medicare drug coverage (Part D) costs, like premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and other costs. In 2024, the program will expand, and you may qualify.

How does Extra Help lower my costs?
In 2024, everyone who qualifies for Extra Help will pay:
• $0 for your Medicare drug plan premium.
• $0 for your plan deductible.
• A reduced amount for both generic and brand-name drugs.
If you get any level of Extra Help now, and meet the qualifications for next year, you’ll get these cost savings automatically—you don’t need to reapply.

How do I find out if I qualify for Extra Help?
In most cases, you must live in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia and have income and resources below a certain limit. The income limit is based on your income from the previous year.
• Your annual income must be below $21,870 for an individual, or $29,580 for a married couple in 2023.
• Your resources must be below $16,600 for an individual or $33,240 for a married couple in 2023.
o Resources include money in a checking, savings, or retirement account, stocks, and bonds. Resources don’t include your home, one car, burial plots, up to $1,500 for burial expenses if you’ve put that money aside, furniture, and other household and personal items.

These limits can change each year. Even if you don’t qualify for Extra Help now, you can reapply for Extra Help any time, if your income and resources change.

How do I apply for Extra Help?
Some people qualify automatically, but if you don’t, it’s easy to apply for Extra Help:
• Visit Social Security online at ssa.gov/extrahelp.
• Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778.
After you apply, Social Security will review your application and send you a letter to let you know if you qualify for Extra Help. Once you qualify, you can choose a Medicare
Low-income Subsidy Drop-in Article
drug plan. If you qualify for Extra Help and don’t select a plan, Medicare will select a plan for you.

Where can I get more information?
• Visit Social Security at ssa.gov/extrahelp or call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800325-0778) if you have questions about the Extra Help program or need help filling out the application.
• Visit Medicare.gov/extrahelp or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to learn about Medicare drug plans, Extra Help, and other ways to lower your prescription drug costs. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.

San Francisco residents living with HIV? The Equal Access to Healthcare Program (EAHP) team of advocates at PRC can help; email [email protected] or call (415) 864-4066.

Celebrating our most important asset — our staff!

Posted on by Seth Abrahamson

PRC Recognizes May as Staff Appreciation Month

Here at PRC, we help more than 5,000 of San Francisco’s most underserved adults each year go from a place of crisis to stability by giving them the foundation they need to transform their lives for the better. And by “we”, we’re referring to the more than 200 dedicated and hardworking members of our staff
who work tirelessly to ensure each person who walks through our doors has the support they need to thrive.

In 2022, PRC dedicated May as Staff Appreciation Month (SAM) to celebrate our compassionate change-makers with an organization-wide show of gratitude for their dedication and hard work. This year, we celebrated SAM once again.

Staff at each of our locations received weekly deliveries of treats and snacks and inspiring notes thanking them for their service. Our People Experience team (Human Resources) curated trivia challenges and entertaining games with chances to win awesome prizes donated by generous business and community
donors. The activities concluded with an open house that included lunch, games, and the opportunity for staff to socialize and celebrate each other.

To say that we are proud of our staff and the ways they uplift our community is an understatement. Each day they work to keep people housed, ensure they receive the health benefits they need to live a dignified life, provide tools to find meaningful employment and offer mental health and substance addiction supports that accompany recovery. In our humble opinion, the staff at PRC are the cream of the crop, and we can’t thank them enough for dedicating their lives to helping others in need.


Please join us in showing your appreciation for these incredible individuals and their dedication to lifting up everyone in need. San Francisco is a better place because of them and their compassion for their fellow human.

In community,

PRC

Black Leadership Council’s Aftershock Film Screening, Panel Discussion, and a Call to Action

Posted on by Seth Abrahamson

We’re elated to share about an incredibly impactful event of which we were a part. On Wednesday, April 12, the Black Leadership Council (BLC), an initiative of PRC, and partners First 5 Alameda County, Alameda Health System and Alameda County Public Health Department’s BElovedBIRTH Black Centering, and the California Black Health Network held a screening of the powerful documentary Aftershock and a post-film Panel Discussion. The event took place at Oakland’s historic Grand Lake Theatre during Black Maternal Health Week, which aims to inspire awareness, activism, and community-building to amplify the voices, perspectives, and lived experiences of Black Moms and birthing people.

This film highlights the devastating inequities that Black birthing women face as they relate to maternal morbidities. More specifically, the film follows the preventable deaths of two young African-American women in New York City, whose bereaved families turn their pain into power and galvanize activists, birth workers, and physicians to reckon with the US maternal health crisis.

The screening was followed by a panel discussion with one of the filmmakers, Tonya Lewis Lee; two of the featured fathers, Omari Maynard and Bruce McIntyre; California Black Health Network Executive Director Rhonda Smith; and Alameda Health System & Alameda County Public Health Department’s BElovedBIRTH Black Centering Director Jyesha Wren. Their contributions to the discussion and the event were invaluable as we learned how they use film, art, innovative programming for Black birthing mothers, and policy reform efforts to find effective solutions that lead to health equity and justice. The panel was moderated by Tasha Henneman, PRC’s Chief of Policy and Government Affairs and Director of the BLC, and Kevin Bremond, First 5 Alameda County Father’s Corps’ Co-Founder and Program Administrator.

We encourage you to watch the film on HULU and then view our panel discussion embedded below.

The event ended with the Black Leadership Council’s call to action:

  • Reclaim the promise of racial justice, equity, and quality health care for ALL!
  • Commit to advancing and funding the work of all those represented and make it endure!
  • Be voices, eyes, ears, and advocates for Black mothers and birthing people!
  • Grow a broader, more resilient base of political support for racial equity beyond the brave leadership of the event’s justice warriors.
  • Become a member of the Black Leadership Council and join them in Sacramento, on June 19, 2023, for their annual advocacy day, “Black in Action.”

Check out our curated photo gallery of the event by clicking the arrow keys to the left and right below.

bethaniehines

“So important was the feeling people walked away with. The film and panel discussion opened a door for birthing people and non-birthing people to recall their own personal experiences or those of others close to them, to reflect on the harsh realities of health inequities that Black women face, and provided education on the historical racism that has shaped the birthing/medical field.”

— Tasha Henneman, Chief of public Policy and Government Affairs, PRC / Director, BLC

Hear from our attendees, who left the event feeling inspired and activated! You can also view all photos from the event taken by Bethanie Hines Photography.

The Black Leadership Council acts as a coalition because when we improve outcomes for our community members hardest hit by inequities, we improve them for all of us.

PRC Brief — Honest feedback from PRC clients

Posted on by Seth Abrahamson

As we continue to incorporate our organizational values into everything we do, we’d like to emphasize the importance of honesty, particularly in the realm of integrated legal, social, and behavioral health services. Courage and vulnerability are essential components of honesty and necessary for both clients and providers for meaningful growth to occur. As a provider, our clients rely on us to provide high-quality, honest care that is tailored to meet their individual needs.

Here’s what our clients have had to say:

— Workforce Development Client

— Baker Places Residential Treatment Client

Our dedicated staff works tirelessly to ensure that each client’s needs are met. As part of our overall care and compliance, we routinely request our clients’ honest feedback to ensure our programs are as impactful as can be. Through this feedback, we are continually learning what works and what we can improve upon through changes to our approach and strategies.

We are proud to be able to provide these services and we are grateful to our donors who make this work possible. By focusing on honesty and all our values, we will continue to improve the lives of our clients and create meaningful and lasting change in our community.

PRC

PRC Brief: Black History Month Highlight — Sylvester

Posted on by Seth Abrahamson

As Black History Month comes to a close, we’d like to highlight someone with profound significance to PRC. Sylvester, “Queen of Disco”, was known for his gender-bending persona and performances, flamboyant and androgynous appearance, falsetto singing voice, and hit disco singles in the late 1970s and 1980s. An inspiration to countless LGBTQ+ people, Sylvester was a trailblazer within the drag community and always unequivocally himself. You can learn more about Sylvester in this 8-part podcast about Sylvester’s life.

As one of the first public figures to be open that he was dying of AIDS, Sylvester was instrumental in raising awareness of the disease and fundraised to support the cause until his death in 1988. Prior to his passing, Sylvester selected two organizations he received support from during his lifetime — AIDS Emergency Fund (read the history of how this became PRC’s Emergency Financial Assistance program) and Project Open Hand — as the beneficiaries of his estate and future music royalties.

Sylvester attending the Castro’s 1988 Gay Freedom Parade in a wheelchair

We continue to receive financial support thanks to Sylvester’s foresight and are proud to be connected in this meaningful way with such an inspirational figure.

To honor Sylvester’s legacy, PRC named its signature fundraising event after his biggest hit, You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real), and each year we give the Sylvester Community Pillar Award to an individual who embodies the love, joy, individualism, and sheer fabulousness of Sylvester. Past recipients include drag
personality and LGBTQ+ advocate Donna Sachet, Former SF Pride President and LGBTQ+ advocate Gary Virginia, singer and actress Dionne Warwick, and singer-songwriter Patti LaBelle.

Ideas on who we should honor in 2023? Send us your nomination with why you think they should be honored to [email protected]!

We’re hard at work planning the 2023 Mighty Real Gala and look forward to announcing the date soon. In the meantime, save the date for Gary Virginia & Donna Sachet’s Pride Brunch, benefitting PRC, on Saturday, June 24, and enjoy getting Mighty Real!

Sylvester — You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)