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COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
City and County of San Francisco
MINUTES
Neighborhood Meeting
Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 5:30 P.M.
Crescent Manor
467 Turk Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(Between Hyde & Larkin)

American Sign Language interpreters and a Sound Amplification System provided upon request with 48-hour advance notice to 415-252-2570. Limited accessible street parking available. Accessible MUNI Lines are the 15, 44, 23 and 24 lines. Accessible seating for persons with disabilities (including those using wheelchairs) will be available. Meeting proceedings available in alternative formats. In order to assist the City’s efforts to accommodate persons with severe allergies, environmental illness, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical based products. Please help the City to accommodate these individuals. To make arrangements or for accessibility information, contact Susan Murphy at 415-252-2570 (Voice) or 415-252-2550 (TDD).


MEMBERS PRESENT          STAFF PRESENT
President Carolene Marks          Rosario Navarrette
Vice President Dorka Keehn          Susan Murphy
Commissioner Julie Burton          Rebecca Rolfe
Commissioner Juanita Miles          Carol Sacco
Commissioner Emily Murase
Commissioner Andrea Shorter
Commissioner Valerie Tulier          

                    
1.          CALL TO ORDER/ROOL CALL
President Marks called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m.

2.          SUPERVISOR CHRIS DALY:
Supervisor Daly thanked the Commission for asking him to participate in this meeting. He wanted to be present for the discussion of housing issues, unfortunately, he has a calendar conflict with another meeting, the Children and Families Commission of which he is a Commissioner representing the Board of Supervisors. He stated that obtaining health care for every child in San Francisco is the important discussion tonight. The Board passed a resolution and he had to get to the meeting to cast his vote, so that by early next year they can begin to guarantee that every child will have access to health care. Supervisor Daly said that this is one small solution to the homeless problem. He will have to talk about housing, health care, childcare, mental health services, substance abuse treatment services and the list goes on and on. Supervisor Daly apologized for having to leave early and thanked the Commission on the Status of Women for holding the neighborhood meeting and the public for attending.

3.          ADOPTION OF AGENDA
m/s/c (Murase, Miles, Unanimous) To adopt the agenda for the Wednesday, October 24, 2001 neighborhood meeting.

Public Comment - None

4.          APPROVAL OF MINUTES
m/s/c (Murase, Miles, Unanimous) Commissioner Tulier moved to amend the agenda by correcting Commissioner Julie Burton Tulier was excused to read Commissioner Julie Burton was excused. To approve the amended minutes of the regular meeting held Wednesday, September 26, 2001.

Public Comment
·          Khadijah Jacob inquired on the process of public comment and made an observation on the need to help single parents with children.

5.          PRESIDENT’S REPORT
·          President Marks gave a brief report on the annual Commission and Department retreat that was held October 13, 2001, at 25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70, San Francisco.
·          President Marks announced that October is Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. She acknowledged the importance of these months events and support of the activities to eliminate breast cancer and domestic violence.

Public Comment - None

6.          INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT - Rosario Navarrette
·          Budget: The City is currently experiencing a hiring freeze and the Board of Supervisors (Supervisor Gavin Newsom) called for a Mid-Year Budget Reduction Plan urging City departments to reduce their budgets by 3, 5, and 10 percent of all baseline, 2001-02 General Fund Expenditures with a separate plan for each level of reduction to be submitted by November 15, 2001.
·          Violence Against Women: The deadline for responding to Request for Proposals for Professional Consulting Services on the Centralizing 24-hour Multilingual Domestic Violence Crisis Line was Monday, October 22, 2001, at 5:00 p.m. Only one proposal was received within the deadline for the review process.
·          Verizon Wireless Partnership: The Mayor’s Press Conference launching the Verizon Wireless Cell-Phone campaign was held on October 9, 2001, at 10:30 a.m. in City Hall. The San Francisco Examiner ran a story on the campaign and featured the Commission and Department’s role in this effort.
o          Rebecca Rolfe, Policy Analyst for the Department created a checklist for employers and one for employees to determine if an employee is experiencing abuse and resources available.
o          A thank you went out to Commissioner Tulier for representing the Commission at the press conference.
·          Introduction of New Temporary Staff: Beatrice Dougherty, receptionist in-training at the department, She is from the Goodwill Industries Community Jobs Initiative Program and will be with the department for three months, working during the afternoons.
·          Combined Charities Campaign: The City has launched its annual Combined Charities Campaign. City employees can donate to many non-profit organizations. Carol Sacco is the Captain for our department, and we welcome any Commission member participation.
·          Adult Sexual Assault Task Force (ASATF): Department staff, Rebecca Rolfe coordinated a meeting with representatives of the Police Department’s Inspector Totah, the Department on Adults and Aging, District Attorney, Consortium on the Prevention of Elder Abuse and San Francisco Women Against Rape and others regarding the home invasion/robbery cases of older women. Discussion focused on how to conduct prevention and outreach to potential future targets in an informative manner without unnecessarily frightening older women or that would result in limiting their independence. More specifics will be provided as the direction and plan develops.
A focus on homeless women is being considered for prevention of physical and sexual assault in the Task Force’s work as well. A letter was sent to the San Francisco Examiner regarding their series "Women in Fear" thanking them for their coverage on women, domestic violence, and sexual assault. In the letter we also requested that resources for sexual assault survivors be included in the article.
Nicole Cabrera, intern, is compiling the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) information for the SART Operations Manual. A table of contents will be shared with the Commission once it is complete.           

Public Comment

·          Unidentified Woman requested clarification on the three shelters mentioned in the domestic violence report. Ms. Navarrette stated that the Asian Women’s Shelter, Rosalie House of Riley Center, and La Casa De Las Madres are the three battered women’s shelters in the City and any battered women can apply to go there.
·          Beverly Upton commended the Commission and Department for making strides in moving in the right direction. Ms. Upton stated that the Commission and Department are taking the correct steps to ending domestic violence. Ms. Upton also stated that currently there is good leadership at the Commission and Department and is in support of the current leadership continuing.
·          Khadijah Jacob stated that she would like to see more police officers or the District Attorney (DA) take more responsibility since a new law has been passed on domestic violence. The DA should press charges against the batterer. Also, counseling is always provided for the batterer and; it should be mandatory that the person being abused receive counseling as well. Also, Ms. Jacob believes someone should volunteer to teach battered women self defense.

7.           PRESENTATIONS
·          Rachel West, In Defense of Prostitute Women’s Safety Project Coordinator, Women In Dialogue. Their program provides legal advocacy, referrals and accompaniment to court, information and support for prostitute women who are victims of rape and other forms of sexual assault. They are seeing an increase in the numbers of homeless women as welfare reform starts to take effect. Last time they did outreach at the welfare office many women with children had nowhere to go that night; their food stamps had been cut and they had no money. Ms. West said women are turning to prostitution to feed their kids. Ms. West wanted to ask Supervisor Daly and the Commission to do anything within their power to protest the devastating effect of welfare reform on women. On November 28th, the U.S. Prostitute’s Collective is helping to coordinate a "Teach-in" on welfare reform. An informal survey was taken of the women working the streets in the Mission and Tenderloin and at the top of the list was affordable housing.
·          Commissioner Keehn requested that all presenters be specific in the issues that they wish the Commission to address and that it be included in the presentation. She suggested an example of some of the ways the Commission can help is by passing resolutions or writing letters of support.

·          m/s/c (Murase, Miles, 1 Nay) Motioned to move Public Comment to item number 8 and Presentations to item number 7.

·          Gloria Tan, Executive Director, Gum Moon Women’s Residence. Ms. Tan started by describing her program and stated that the program provides affordable transitional housing for single women. Ms. Tan shared a story regarding how one of the residents came to be at Gum Moon and how the program helped her and her children. Ms. Tan requested that the Commission continue to support transitional housing. She mentioned a report that was released October 23, 2001, on families living with children at Single Room Occupancy (SROs) that has very factual information on housing issues. She requested the Commission review how the living environment affects the mental and health development of children.
·          Dr. Vanessa Kelly, Interim Director, San Francisco Rape Treatment Center. Dr. Kelly updated the Commission on the transition that had been occurring with the Rape Treatment Center and how they are now offering many more services than before. The Center is now offering 24 hours, 7 days a week nurse practitioner coverage in the emergency department. The Center is doing medical clearance as well as forensic exams. This means a significant change from prior practice where most people do not have to be examined twice. In September, medical clearance and forensic exams will also apply to domestic violence situations. Dr. Kelly has arranged with the crime lab to collect evidence and store it; therefore, if someone decides they do not want to file a report at this time and change their mind later, the evidence for the investigation is available. The official name of the program is the Trauma Recovery Center with the Rape Treatment Center as part of the program. They have been doing assertive outreach/case management, particularly to homeless women and women who are marginally housed. They are available to meet with the women in their communities as well provide medical follow-ups. The program also sends an advocate out with their social workers to the survivor’s home.
·          Janine Grantham, Director of Adult Education, San Francisco Women Against Rape (SFWAR). The Adult Education program had prioritized developing partnerships with agencies and community based organizations (CBOs) whose constituents are formerly and currently homeless women. SFWAR feels this work is important because it reaches some of the City’s most destitute and vulnerable populations of women who lack access to information, resources, and connection to support systems. There have been many successes, in particular, with the self-defense classes because it is holistic (emotionally, spiritually, and physically) healing for women. Through the workshops the women are able to acquire tools to deal with their reality of living in the streets and shelters. In the future SFWAR would like the Adult Education program to expand to include collaborations with homeless coalitions, shelters, faith based programs, and others in a Citywide effort to offer self defense and rape prevention education to as many homeless women as possible. What is being requested of the Commission is to help provide leadership to make sure the shelters are safe for women. SFWAR would like to see more shelter space available to help women get off the streets. They would like a collaborated effort to bring homeless service providers and agencies like SFWAR together. Lastly SFWAR believes that each woman’s voice and story is important to her as well as to the community. SFWAR is committed to building leadership from the voices and needs of the community.
·          Tracy Pullar, Program Coordinator for Health Care for Homeless Women Veterans Program, Department of Veterans Affairs. The Federal Government is starting to focus on homeless women veterans. The program started in January. Ms. Pullar introduced her full time social worker, Lucille Gibbs. The program provides outreach counseling, case management to homeless women veterans, and basic services like food and clothes. The Program also has a contract with a residential treatment program on Treasure Island. They have eight contracted beds, which so far are not enough. They are also struggling to find affordable housing for the clients they already serve. Since the inception of the program in January they have seen a total of 88 women and half have never been to a VA office before. The program is relying on the community to learn more about homeless women and about the resources that exist. This is one of the reasons they attended the neighborhood meeting. Support groups are available weekly on a drop in basis for women veterans to become familiar with their program. The center is located at 205 13th Street at Mission Street in San Francisco.

8. PUBLIC COMMENT
·          Unidentified Woman commented on the presentation given by Rachel West, where Ms. West mentioned a cut in food stamps. She wondered if that is an area that the Commission can address to a legislator, state, local level, or federal level. Ms. Navarrette responded by stating that the Commission can write a letter regarding their position on the impact of any reduction or increase, whether negative or positive, regarding any program on a federal level. Commissioner Shorter stated that this Commission has been one of the first to speak out not just locally but on a State and national level on issues that drastically affect women and children.
·          Delphine Brody, represented herself, however wanted it stated for the record that she works for St. James Infirmary which does outreach to among others, homeless sex workers, including women who do survival sex (provide sex in order to have a roof over their head or food on the table, etc…). She is a formerly homeless, queer, transgender woman, who was homeless for 6 years as a youth. During that time she had experienced quite a bit of domestic violence. The affects of welfare reform were devastating on her life while she was homeless. Her monthly check was $88.00 and practically no food stamps. She was told that since she was homeless she really didn’t need the money to pay for rent. The reason she was homeless was due to a disability, Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) due to a lifetime of violence. Ms. Brody feels that all of the domestic violence shelters need to have outside supervision or oversight. The shelters tell the clients that they cannot have an outside observer to come in to mediate. When Ms. Brody was in the shelter, she witness the program throw out a single mother with two young children. The mother and one-month-old daughter were both detoxing off of heroin. The reason given for the mother having to leave was due to the fact that she was not doing her chores fast enough and she had a rambunctious three year old. This was at Rosalie House. Transgender women are becoming homeless as a direct result of housing and discrimination in San Francisco. Fifty percent of the hate violence reports the Community United Against Violence (CUAV) receives are from transgender women regarding law enforcement over the past four years. Once again, homeless queer youth still have nowhere to go and require services such as health care and permanent affordable housing. They need services and affordable housing, not punishment.
·          Khadijah Jacob, stated that she knows so many people who have vouchers; however, the landlords don’t want to rent apartments to single women with children. Therefore, the single women with children on fixed incomes are getting lost. Ms. Jacob suggested that the Housing Authority develop housing specifically for the people who have vouchers.
·          Sonia Melara, represented herself as a private citizen, she is the current Executive Director for Arriba Juntos. She came to the Commission meeting to speak on the Executive Director hiring process for the Department on the Status of Women. She stated that in 1994 the Commission became a Department of the City and County of San Francisco making it an independent department. The Department worked with former Supervisor Barbara Kaufman in the development of the new Charter. Under the Charter it was ensured that this Commission became a very independent organization from the Executive Branch. Thereby, making this one of the few departments where the Board of the Commission can make the decision of who the Executive Director is. Ms. Melara stated that she believes if the Commission gives up that decision they would be giving up the power to make the most important decision for this organization. She stated she had heard from several women in the community regarding the process and was disturbed by what she had heard. She reiterated that she is speaking as a private citizen.
·          President Marks responded by stating that the Commission was following the process as outlined by the City Attorney and the City Charter. The process was being followed meticulously. They appreciate Ms. Melara reminding the Commission of the importance of the decision of hiring an Executive Director.
·          Kara Graziano, Coordinator of Services, Oshun Center, Haight Ashbury Free Clinic, Inc., Ms. Graziano started by introducing the Oshun Clinic. It is a 24-hour drop-in clinic located on the corner of Church and Taylor Streets in San Francisco. The Center provides counseling, case management, and groups available to women and children as well as childcare. Housing is an issue the clinic is continually faced with. While they are open 24-hours, they do not have places for people to sleep or to house people. She requested that the Commission help within the community and service providers to better serve one another and the women they are working with. She would like to see a better coordination of services, such as other organizations referring individuals to her organization for services. They also provide entertainment and group nights as well.
·          Mona Lisa Trevino, Family Rights and Dignity, Coalition on Homelessness, Ms. Trevino strongly encouraged the Commissioners to read the report and findings on SROs. Ms. Trevino was not sure as to the standing of the Commission on this matter, for instance have any resolutions been passed?
·          Commissioner Shorter thanked everyone for their remarks in regard to the issues facing women and girls in the City of San Francisco. She encouraged everyone who was working very closely with issues around housing not to just wait for the Commission to come to the community to raise these issues, making sure that the Commission is as accessible as possible to them so that they can all work together on possible strategies and see what is the best use of the Commission’s resources. If there is a resolution that you are working on to send to Supervisors or Commissions, send a copy to the Commission to take action legislatively. The Commission is concerned about what it can do for the long term. What is the strategy around Welfare Reform? Once again something specific such as any resolutions or documents that can be forwarded to the Commission would be a great help as we try to educate ourselves where it can lead to possible strategies.
·          Rosario Navarrette stated that the Commission did work with the Mayor’s Office of Homelessness and did adopt a resolution in which the Definition of Homelessness was to be more inclusive and also adopted the SRO report that was distributed in July of 2001.
·          Commissioner Miles stated that one of the things the Commission can do regarding unsafe shelters is perform investigations. If public is aware of a situation where it is unsafe for women to be in a shelter, please bring the specific information to our attention. If it is a shelter that is City funded please inform us. It is important that if a woman has to be in a shelter, she be safe.
·          Rosario Navarrette stated that the Commission funds three shelters for battered women. We are interested and concerned when we hear of any type of discriminatory behavior or handling of issues or matters within shelters. We do want to hold them accountable and regularly monitoring shelters. The Human Rights Commission does have an investigative unit if there are any services within the City, that are funded by the City, the public has a right to have the Human Rights Commission investigate that program if they are not providing a service or are discriminating.
·          Commissioner Murase stated that the Commission should review the SRO report and in the capacity of Commissioners they should send letters to the Housing Authority for the need of on site childcare at affordable housing projects. This would raise the particular needs that women have in terms of housing.
·          Commissioner Burton wished to acknowledge and thank the people who work in the shelters, programs, and community. She stated how difficult this work is, yet how incredibly important it is.
·          Rachel West questioned if the Commission had a resource or database that was available to the women.
·          Rosario Navarrette stated that there is a Directory of Social Services for Women. Information can be either sent or called into the office to be placed in the next printing. The Directory can be obtained at the Department office.
·           Dolores Oppenheim stated that she was responding to something she had read in the newspaper regarding heating swimming pools. The Park and Recreation Department had remodeled some swimming pools and members of the community are objecting to the heating of the pools where the elder exercise. She herself attends the pool for the handicap, which is a warm pool. There is a need for warm pools. She asked for advice as to whom might need to be contacted or involved, Park and Recreation, this Commission, or the Commission on Aging. She was looking for guidance in where she should go.
·          Unidentified Woman commented on the mentioned SRO report and stated that it seems that SROs are considered as the only means of affordable housing and it’s a serious mistake. She would even be willing to volunteer time, she is totally opposed to SROs for single women, married women, women with children, and senior women.
·          President Marks thanked everyone for attending and commented that there is a feeling in the City that the Tenderloin is not high on the City’s agenda. With the attendance of the Commission hopefully it shows that the Tenderloin is high on the Commission’s agenda. Issues and problems that are relevant to this area are also relevant to other neighborhoods. The Commission appreciates the public pointing out what is of the utmost concern to the public in terms of the issues brought forth. She hopes that the inter-relationship won’t just end this evening. Please contact the Commission, a City agency with a heart who wants to help.
·          Commissioner Tulier addressed Supervisor Daly’s staff, Rachel Redondiez, and stated that as a Commissioner she would meet with Supervisor Daly and follow up with the concerns from the meeting with him.
·          Rachel Redondiez commented that with all the issues that were discussed, affordable housing seemed to float to the top. That is one concrete way that the Commission and Supervisor Daly’s office can collaborate together.
·          President Marks wished to especially thank the John Stewart Company, particularly Loren Sanborn for the use of the facility.

9. ANNOUNCEMENT
·          President Marks announced that on November 30, 2001, the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) would be holding an event.

10. ADJOURNMENT

·          m/s/c (Shorter, Keehn, Unanimous) Motioned to adjourn the meeting.
President Marks called for the meeting to adjourn at 7:50 p.m.

Know Your Rights under the Sunshine Ordinance
          (Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code)
Government’s duty is to serve the public, reaching its decision in full view of the public. Commissions, boards, councils and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people’s business. This ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the people and that City operations are open to the people’s review. For more information on your rights under the Sunshine Ordinance, or to report a violation of the Ordinance, contact the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force at 415-554-7724. To obtain a free copy of the Sunshine Ordinance contact the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, Donna Hall, Clerk, City Hall, Room 409, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102-4683, phone: 415-554-7724, fax: 415-554-7854, email: Donna_Hall@ci.sf.ca.us. Copies of the Sunshine Ordinance can also be obtained from the San Francisco Public Library and on the City’s website at www.ci.sf.ca.us.

The Board of Supervisors has amended the Sunshine Ordinance by adding provision 67A.1. The provision is effective as of January 21, 2001.

The ringing of and use of cell phones, pagers, and similar sound producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. Please be advised that the Chair may order the removal from the meeting room of any person(s) responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager or other similar sound-producing electronic devices.

To review or obtain documents referred to on agenda, contact Susan Murphy at 25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 130, San Francisco, CA 94102; phone: 415-252-2570, fax: 415-252-2575.

Attention: Individuals and entities that influence or attempt to influence local legislative or administrative action may be required by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance (SF Admin Code 16.520 - 16.534) to register and report lobbying activity. For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the Ethics Commission at 1390 Market Street, #701, San Francisco, CA 94102; phone: 415-554-9510, fax: 415-703-0121 and web site http://www.ci.sf.ca.us/ethics/.