IN THE HOUSE
THANKSGIVING IN THE HOUSE
Hospitality House Annual Thanksgiving Community Lunch, Returns!
Hospitality House staff, volunteers, and board members ready to serve up pie for dessert at the annual Thanksgiving community lunch.
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Before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditions in 2020, Hospitality House’s Annual Thanksgiving Lunch Celebration was a cherished event held on the Monday of Thanksgiving week. After four years of providing boxed lunches to ensure safety, Hospitality House welcomed the community back to the heartfelt tradition of sharing a meal together at long tables filled with warmth and connection.
Board members, staff, and community volunteers joined together to serve up classic Thanksgiving staples: creamy mashed potatoes, crisp green beans, golden cornbread, tart cranberry sauce, and, of course, turkey smothered in rich gravy - for more than 300 community members! This feast was prepared by the talented crew of the CHEFS program, a popular culinary training and catering service created by Episcopal Community Services (ECS). Starting at 11 AM and continuing hourly, each of Hospitality House’s programs invited community members to escape the rain, enjoy a hot nutritious meal, and gather around a table to celebrate togetherness. The event also created space for everyone to share reflections on gratitude and community. “What makes today special is that everybody is getting together, having a great time, and just loving on each other!” said Tiffany Jackson, Program Manager of the Tenderloin Self-Help Center. “That’s what Thanksgiving is all about, right? Family.” This year’s holiday celebration was more than a meal—it was a reunion, a recognition of community resilience, and a reminder of the power of shared moments together. |
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Here's a special message from our Hospitality House family to yours...
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STORIES FROM THE FIELD
MEET KEVIN SPARKSCommunity Organizing Peer Advocate |
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Kevin Sparks’ life story is one of radical transformation, shaped not just by his determination but by the power of community. After nearly 20 years in prison and decades of hard knocks and wrong turns, Kevin stumbled upon Hospitality House. It was a chance encounter, but it became the foundation for rewriting his narrative.
“I was trying to get an ID voucher,” Kevin recalls, “It was hard for me to sustain myself…without any ID, Social Security card. How can I keep myself safe and learn some things?” Hospitality House was a profound new experience for Kevin. “It was so welcoming here when I first came in,” he says. “I’d never really seen that before, coming out of where I’d been.” That small gesture would go on to redefine his sense of self. Kevin started as a volunteer for the organization’s Community Building Program (CBP), an opportunity that became his first step toward stability. He gradually let go of the “tough shell” he’d built during years of incarceration and relearned how to connect with people. He met unhoused individuals “where they were”-not with judgment, but with kindness. “I’d say, ‘Good morning,’ to people on the sidewalk, and at first, they wouldn’t respond,” he recalls. “But I kept at it. Over time, they’d start smiling, saying yes to a cup of coffee, and eventually, I’d see them move into housing or find jobs.” It was through these small, consistent acts that Kevin not only learned how to connect with others but also discovered himself. When he transitioned from volunteer to employee, the achievement was deeply personal. “I remember calling my mom when I got my (employee) badge,” Kevin says. “I told her, ‘Mom, I’ve got a job!’ She was so happy. I’d never held a job for more than two months before.” Today, Kevin works as a peer advocate /community organizer at Hospitality House, where he helps facilitate the Healing, Organizing, and Leadership Development (HOLD) group and creates initiatives that empower residents. “It’s about what they want for themselves, “ Kevin says” I get to meet them where they’re at and assist them in getting there.” But challenges remain. Living in San Francisco, Kevin and many of his colleagues struggle with the high cost of living. “Most of us work two jobs just to pay rent,” he says. “Or live out of the City. It’s a real struggle to find time for family… .” Despite these barriers, Kevin is filled with hope and determination. Encouraged by mentors like Associate Executive Director Windy Click, who once told him to envision himself as an executive director, Kevin dreams big. “It’s [Hospitality House]changed my life, and I want others to have that opportunity too.” Kevin Sparks’ journey reminds us that redemption is not just an individual act but a collective one—made possible by the presence of compassion, opportunity, and the relentless belief that no one is beyond hope. “When I walked through those doors, I was given a chance,” he says. “And I can’t forget that.” |
LIFE IN TRANSIT
Local Artist Koshi explores light, beauty, and quiet dignity in unexpected places.
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As an avid runner navigating San Francisco’s streets, artist Jonathan Koshi found himself unable to ignore the tents lining his well-traveled routes. What once seemed like a static part of the landscape began to shift: tents appeared, disappeared, and reappeared—a stark reminder of the cyclical struggles faced by the unhoused. "This is their life. This is San Francisco," Koshi reflected.
Determined to highlight the issue through his art, Koshi created Life in Transit, a series of landscape paintings that capture moments of humanity and beauty in often-overlooked spaces. The collection debuted at the Incline Gallery in the Mission District from July through September, showcasing scenes from sidewalks, bus stops, and public transit. "Life in Transit is my search for light and beauty in unexpected places," Koshi shared. "On these paths, I’ve discovered some of the city’s kindest, most authentic neighbors and the quiet dignity of lives many choose to ignore." Initially hesitant to exhibit such a politically charged body of work, Koshi told a friend, “I’m putting myself out there with this.” He agreed to the show under the condition that 30% of the proceeds would support Hospitality House. With the support of Christo Oropenza and the Incline Galley, Koshi raised $3,795, rounding it up to $4,088.88—adding 8’s, he noted, " for good luck." Navigating Ethical Questions Koshi’s work hasn’t been without its challenges. While photographing an encampment on San Bruno Avenue for reference, he was confronted by a resident who questioned his intentions. Koshi explained his goal: "I’m trying to portray this in a way that isn’t gross. It’s just like I’m painting somebody’s house." After showing examples of his artwork, the man gave his consent. Encampment residents, Koshi noted, have largely responded positively to his efforts. Still, the question lingers: is Koshi’s art exploitative? For the artist, the answer lies in his approach and intent. By treating these spaces and the people who inhabit them with care and respect, Koshi aims to create work that fosters empathy rather than judgment. |
