SEPTEMBER AT INSIGHT HOUSING

It’s a been a busy end to summer at Insight Housing! As September comes to a close, we are in the final days of our campaign to help improve our Women’s Shelter backyard (which you will read all about in this newsletter). There are only a few days left to donate. Click here to support the renovation of our Dwight Way Center outdoor space! The first 20 donors will be invited to plant gardens alongside participants and staff. 

Aside from our outdoor renovation project, you’ll read about our wonderful case managers and fried green tomato chefs over at Russell Street and our funder roundtable event.

Thank you for your continued support of Insight Housing. If you enjoyed something you read, or you would like to see more on a particular topic, we'd love to hear from you at info@insighthousing.org.  

DWIGHT WAY PROJECT AND MURAL  

This month, we launched our Women’s Shelter backyard renovation project at our Dwight Way Center. Our goal was to raise $1,000 by October 1st to build our garden, and thanks to you all, we've already exceeded that number! We are currently in the final days of the campaign, and we still need your support, as all extra funds will support programs such as the Women's Shelter and Veteran's services. Click to donate today!

Thanks to our generous in-kind and pro-bono supporters, all other key elements to renovate the backyard are complete, including a brand-new mural on the building’s back wall by local artist Nigel Sussman. Sussman worked with Women’s Shelter participants and staff to craft an idea for the space and finished the project in one day. In Nigel’s words, “everyone deserves art!” Click here or below to watch our video about the project. 

Women's Shelter Backyard Partner Donations

The renovation of our backyard at Dwight Way would not have been possible without donations of time, resources, and ideas from our incredible partners. Berkeley-based architecture firm Studio KDA has been a long-time supporter of Insight Housing. For our Women’s Shelter backyard, they have acted as project manager, brought in partners, and consulted on design. Our lead designer, 122 West Design, is working to create drawings, identify sustainable plants and crops, and design the space with longevity in mind. Also donating to this project is Oliver & Company, San Francisco-based general contractor that is preparing the site and ensuring everything is executed at a high quality. Thanks so much to these incredible partners that are helping to make this dream project a reality! Check out the initial rendering below, and stay tuned for updates on the backyard in upcoming newsletters and social media posts (follow us here)!

Preliminary rendering of Dwight Way backyard

RUSSEL STREET FEAST

Vernette Suggs, Program Manager, and Keshia Livingston, Senior Program Manager, are master chefs in the kitchen at our Russell Street Board and Care program. Residents help tend to three full garden beds in the back patio, and Vernette and Keshia prepare menus based on what is seasonally available. One of the meals this month: fried green tomatoes, zucchini, and salad. “It feels amazing to be able to have an all-organic farm to table experience. Working side by side with our residents as we tend to the garden is rewarding, it brings a sense of joy and peace," says Keshia. 

Vernette, who has been with Insight Housing for 12 years, shares “Providing our residents with healthy nutritious meals from our garden is a special thing. We started this garden as a way to bond with the residents. It has become therapeutic; it brings so much joy to everyone. I especially enjoy cooking the food and letting the residents know that they are eating the vegetables (from the garden)." Vernette and Keshia, we are grateful for your care and dedication you show to this program and the residents!

Vernette and Keshia at Russell Street Residence with homemade fried green tomatoes

New Funder Announcement: Tipping Point Community

This past July, we were honored to join the Tipping Point Communty (TPC) grantee portfolio. As a grantee we receive funding, training and support for staff, and capacity-building resources. This month, CEO Calleene Egan led a funder roundtable event at TPC offices in San Francisco. The afternoon was full of discussions about Insight's work in Bay Area communities, our new three-year strategic plan, and our goals as an organization. Updates and news about partner funding and new relationships to come soon!

CEO Calleene Egan leading a funder roundtable event at Tipping Point Community offices