Central City Hospitality House

The Tenderloin Self Help Center is unique in that it is the only multi-service drop-in center for both men and women in the Tenderloin. Accessed right off the street, the Center is a point-of- entry for more than half of the agency's participants because it fulfills immediate and survival needs, subsequently linking individuals to longer-term services. Spanning most of the first floor of our central building at 288 Turk Street, the Center is made up of a main lounge with sofas and chairs, an office with phone and voicemail access, a small kitchen, and men’s and women's restrooms. More than 10,000 people use the services of the Tenderloin Self Help Center each year.

Drop-in Services
The Self Help Center drop-in is a place where people can safely tend to their primary needs– escaping the cold, resting free of traffic, noise, or harassment, or just using the restroom. Beyond that, it is a meeting ground where homeless people can socialize comfortably, re-discovering the human experience that is often suppressed during daily survival on the streets. Groceries are distributed weekly to homeless people and residents of the Tenderloin district.

Drop-in Hours: Monday through Friday 7am - 7pm
Grocery Distribution: Wednesdays at 2:30 pm

Case Management and Support Groups
The Self Help Center is staffed by seven counselors and case managers, most of whom are homeless or formerly homeless. This team provides individualized counseling and care planning for those who are in need of longer-term services. This includes assistance with processes necessary to secure benefits, such as General Assistance, Social Security Income, State Disability and Veteran's Benefits; emergency, transitional, and permanent housing; substance use counseling and access to treatment programs.

Each year, more than 500 homeless and very low-income people access the Self Help Center's peer-based support groups, providing them an avenue for stability and connection to the community. Importantly, these groups facilitate transitions to employment and/or permanent housing. These weekly support groups apply a harm reduction approach that allows people to access services during periods of active substance use.

Participants are asked to sign in using social security digits upon each entry. Through this intake process, it has been determined that the Center is used for the following services:

Each year, at least 50 homeless and very low-income individuals attend professional and leadership development training to enhance their stability and employment training.
Each week, Hospitality House provides free groceries to 60 low-income seniors and families.
Each year, at least 10,000 people receive basic emergency services.
Each year, more than 500 homeless and very low-income people attend targeted support groups.
Each year, more than 200 homeless and very low-income people participate in individual and group counseling services focused on harm reduction approaches to substance use and mental health care management.
Each year, more than 150 homeless and very low-income people access individualized counseling services that link them to other mental health and primary care services.
Each year, more than 150 homeless and very low-income people receive counseling services that link them to transitional and permanent housing.

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