Our History
Hospitality House was founded in 1967, when the Tenderloin was experiencing an influx of LGBT youth flocking to one of America’s first epicenters for the burgeoning queer liberation movement: San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood. Despite the positive legacy created by this movement, more than 3,000 of these youth found themselves living on the streets. Concerned residents in the Tenderloin partnered with this struggling population to form Hospitality House, initially a simple drop-in space offering food and activities to help homeless youth take an intermission from another night on the street. By 1985, Hospitality House had developed into the multiple-program agency it is today. The agency has shifted its demographic focus to meet changing needs of the community, transitioning from youth in the Tenderloin to now serving predominantly adult residents of San Francisco’s Tenderloin, Sixth Street Corridor, and Mid-Market neighborhoods struggling with homelessness, poverty, and the range of other socioeconomic issues facing residents here.
Our Mission
To build community strength by advocating for policies and rendering services which foster self-sufficiency and cultural enrichment. Hospitality House encourages self-help, mutual respect, and increased self-esteem. The goal of these efforts is to make the heart of San Francisco a better place for us all.
Hospitality House was founded in 1967, when the Tenderloin was experiencing an influx of LGBT youth flocking to one of America’s first epicenters for the burgeoning queer liberation movement: San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood. Despite the positive legacy created by this movement, more than 3,000 of these youth found themselves living on the streets. Concerned residents in the Tenderloin partnered with this struggling population to form Hospitality House, initially a simple drop-in space offering food and activities to help homeless youth take an intermission from another night on the street. By 1985, Hospitality House had developed into the multiple-program agency it is today. The agency has shifted its demographic focus to meet changing needs of the community, transitioning from youth in the Tenderloin to now serving predominantly adult residents of San Francisco’s Tenderloin, Sixth Street Corridor, and Mid-Market neighborhoods struggling with homelessness, poverty, and the range of other socioeconomic issues facing residents here.
Our Mission
To build community strength by advocating for policies and rendering services which foster self-sufficiency and cultural enrichment. Hospitality House encourages self-help, mutual respect, and increased self-esteem. The goal of these efforts is to make the heart of San Francisco a better place for us all.
Our Theory of Change
Developed through a six-month process involving a variety of stakeholders, including our program participants, neighborhood residents, community members, Hospitality House staff and board of directors, our exciting one-page Theory of Change states the problem being addresses as: "Relentless economic inequality in SF robs people of the opportunity to live a life of dignity and self-determination and threatens our shared humanity." Read our organizational strategies towards anticipated changes here.
As we work to continue to operationalize our Theory of Change, Hospitality House is counting on partners, donors, and allies to join with us in support of these ambitious goals. Our work together has never been more critical. We must take bold action during this time of dramatic and lasting change in San Francisco to assure that our vibrant low-income communities are not swallowed up in the process.
Developed through a six-month process involving a variety of stakeholders, including our program participants, neighborhood residents, community members, Hospitality House staff and board of directors, our exciting one-page Theory of Change states the problem being addresses as: "Relentless economic inequality in SF robs people of the opportunity to live a life of dignity and self-determination and threatens our shared humanity." Read our organizational strategies towards anticipated changes here.
As we work to continue to operationalize our Theory of Change, Hospitality House is counting on partners, donors, and allies to join with us in support of these ambitious goals. Our work together has never been more critical. We must take bold action during this time of dramatic and lasting change in San Francisco to assure that our vibrant low-income communities are not swallowed up in the process.
Join us in building communities. Make a donation today.
The Power Of The People Fighting To Preserve
The Soul Of The City
The Soul Of The City
It’s about living; not just surviving.
Our six diverse programs provide community-based solutions that foster self-sufficiency, increase self-esteem and promote self-expression.
Community Arts Program
Shelter Program
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Community Building Program
Sixth Street Self-Help Center
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Employment Program
Tenderloin Self-Help Center
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MEET OUR EVERYDAY HEROES
Hospitality House Happenings
THHE AUCTION SAVE-THE-DATE!
We are excited to announce that our next annual art auction, THHE Auction will take place on May 14, 2020 at the legendary Phoenix Hotel! We've brought it back to the Tenderloin so please mark your calendars and join us. Find out more information here. |
We welcome our new neighbors: Coalition on Homelessness
We are so happy to have as our neighbors, the bad-ass organization, Coalition on Homelessness! COH has been around for over 30 years developing the leadership skills of homeless San Franciscans to forge true solutions to the housing crisis and beat back mean-spirited attacks against them. Read more about COH here. |
Hospitality House on Democracy Now!
Amy Goodman, host of the global news show Democracy Now! interviews Hospitality House Executive Director Joe Wilson, along with Kelley Cutler and Jennifer Friedenbach of the Coalition on Homelessness, unhoused San Francisco residents Moon Tomahawk, and Shanna Couper Orona about the conditions in San Francisco for people experiencing homelessness. View the video here. |
