BY IMAN HALL
They seem like two different worlds. The Tech World and the Tenderloin. The Tenderloin, one of the most diverse neighborhoods in SF, consists of families, art, & culture. It is also home to over 7,000 unhoused San Franciscans, many of whom sleep on the sidewalk or in tents. The Tenderloin neighborhood is next to some of the biggest names in tech and If you were to walk from the Tenderloin to Mid-Market, where some of these companies live, you would see how very different each world is.
But within each of these worlds, there are people. Within each person is an image of God, yearning for the reconciliation and purpose that can only be found in a denial of self and loving of neighbor. The tech world and the Tenderloin may be two different worlds, but they have the most important things in common- people. I believe God wants to do deep work in San Francisco that will erase stigmas of unhoused persons and the tech world. He desires unity, relationship, and more resources for the Tenderloin.
There are as many opinions about the Tech Industry in San Francisco as there are about the unhoused crisis. Although this may be true, there are people in both worlds who want to meet somewhere in the middle. The problem is that not everyone knows how to take that first step. Still, organizations that reside within the Tenderloin’s borders are creating bridges to connect both of these worlds. YWAM SF has had incredibly practical volunteer opportunities that create a spark between tech workers and the Tenderloin. Pre-Covid-19, a few tech workers, people who work in finance or at legal companies, etc, would often come to our Hot Chocolate Ministry on Friday evenings. Although San Francisco is in California, it tends to get a bit chillier than most people would imagine. So our Hot Chocolate Ministry is a great way for volunteers and YWAM staff to connect with those on the street by serving them a hot cup of hocho (hot chocolate) on a cold evening.
Surprisingly, offering someone a cup of hot chocolate can lead to prayer opportunities, Gospel-sharing, and relationship building. Over time, a YWAM volunteer will become familiar with the faces of the Tenderloin thanks to our Hot Chocolate outreach. Volunteers will be able to deepen relationships more organically and on their own, thanks to this practical way of meeting a simple need- warmth.
I’m reminded of the tried and true verse in Luke 6:31- “Do to others as you would have them do to you”. It’s a simple concept, yet, to live it out, it requires effort. It requires an understanding of our own human needs, empathy, and a desire to love as Jesus loved. Building bridges between the tech world and the Tenderloin starts with this verse. As you desire connection, so do the marginalized. As you desire warmth, so do those who are cold and can’t escape the elements. As you desire to be loved, seen, and known, so do those who live in neighborhoods deemed as places to avoid.
Let’s all be bridge-builders where we are. Whether you’re here in San Francisco, or somewhere else. As Jesus was Immanuel, God with us, let us who know him be with those in our communities and cities.
Although the YWAM SF’s hot chocolate ministry is on hold during covid, we still take volunteers each Thursday from 12-1:30 for the SF/Marin Food Bank’s Food Pantry. This volunteer opportunity is a great way to get your hands dirty. You will be packing grocery bags for Food Pantry patrons, and may get to engage with one or two people. We are also still taking volunteers to help on either Monday, Wednesday, or Friday from 9-11am or 11-1pm with our Restoration Initiatives department. They run a shower and bathroom station for those who need those services. This volunteer opportunity will put you face to face (with masks, and six feet apart!) with many people from our community and is a great opportunity to connect and pray with them. Please contact volunteer@ywamsanfrancisco.org when you’re ready to start building bridges- we can’t wait for you to join us.