A Spotlight on San Francisco Safehouse for International Women's Day

For International Women's Day this year, we had the privilege of sitting down with Chelsea Leonard, a remarkable individual whom we recently placed as the Chief Development Officer at San Francisco Safehouse (SFSH). As we celebrate the achievements and resilience of women worldwide, Chelsea's journey and the impactful work of San Francisco Safehouse serve as powerful reminders of the importance of empowering women and championing their rights. Join us as we delve into Chelsea's insights and the incredible initiatives San Francisco Safehouse undertakes in honor of International Women's Day.

SNA: Please share with us the mission and vision of SFSH, and how it specifically empowers women in our community:

CL: Our mission is to empower and support womxn who are experiencing housing instability and sexual exploitation or trafficking, by creating survivor-centered spaces, services, advocacy, and community education. We know the path to personal independence for unhoused women starts with shelter and safety.

SNA: In what ways do the services and programs offered by SFSH contribute to the advancement and protection of women's rights and safety?

CL: All our programs including confidential transitional housing and a drop-in center in San Francisco's Tenderloin district offer full array of support services that enable women to reclaim choice and power over their lives. Each client experiences trauma differently so each woman works 1:1 with our case managers to create an individualized path toward the goal of living a happy, healthy, and independent life. We recently closed on a new building to establish the first Permanent Supportive Housing unit specific to adult survivors and their children. Through this new program, we will provide a safe housing environment along with a comprehensive array of supportive services aimed at helping women thrive, breaking the cycle of intergenerational homelessness and incarceration, enabling them to rebuild their lives and create economic opportunity.

SNA: International Women's Day celebrates the achievements of women globally. How does SFSH contribute to the celebration and empowerment of women on a local and international scale?

CL: We recognize that the women we serve face multiple layers of marginalization due to factors such as gender identity, race, and disability. These intersections of identity often exacerbate the barriers they encounter in accessing essential services and support systems. Despite these challenges, our dedicated team at SFSH remains steadfast in providing a holistic and trauma-informed approach to healing. It is also very important to us to represent the community we serve and many of our team members have experienced homelessness and/or sexual exploitation or trafficking.

By offering safe housing through a variety of pathways, we provide women, and now their children, with the foundational support necessary to embark on their journey towards healing and independence. Our services extend beyond just shelter; we prioritize the provision of comprehensive resources, including mental health support, substance abuse counseling, harm reduction, legal support, medical care, and more.

In celebrating International Women's Day, we amplify the voices of the resilient women we serve, honoring their strength and courage in overcoming adversity. Through our advocacy efforts and community partnerships, we strive to create a world where every woman can reclaim her dignity, agency, and rightful place in society. Together, we break barriers, challenge biases, and pave the way for a more equitable and inclusive future for women everywhere.

SNA: With the theme of International Women's Day being #InspireInclusion, how does SFSH challenge societal biases and stereotypes to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for women from diverse backgrounds?

CL: SFSH is dedicated to creating a safe space that empowers women to reclaim control over their lives. This involves not only providing immediate support but also advocating for systemic changes at the City and State level that address the root causes of gender-based violence and homelessness. By working collaboratively with community partners, and educating others through community outreach, training, and awareness campaigns, we strive to challenge societal norms that perpetuate bias and reshape perceptions surrounding sexual exploitation and trafficking, challenging the negative stigmas that are often attached to survivors.

We also actively promote leadership opportunities for women within our organization and hire survivors and past participants to ensure their voices are at the table. By empowering women from diverse backgrounds to take on influential roles, we challenge preconceived notions and pave the way for a more inclusive future.

SNA: How can people get involved or support SFSH?

CL: There are many ways to get involved! Whether through financial contributions to support our ever-growing programs, volunteering at the Hope Center, attending one of our upcoming events, or helping us raise awareness of the issue through supply drives at work, we welcome all support! If anyone is interested in learning more about our programs, I encourage them to contact me directly ([email protected]) and visit our website at sfsafehouse.org.

Stacy Nelson and Associates offers executive search and placement services for nonprofit leaders with a highly personalized, transparent, and high-caliber service to our clients. stacynelsonassociates.com