Lois Pavlov is San Francisco’s child abuse prevention pioneer.
As a long-time community leader and children’s advocate, Lois worked tirelessly to create a better, stronger child abuse prevention program in our city.
Lois believed that by bringing the disparate prevention and family service organizations together, under one roof, the children of the San Francisco would be safer. To this end, Lois spearheaded a collaboration between Kathy Baxter of the Child Abuse Council and Patsy Jones of the TALK Line Family Support Center to join forces and resources. Lois went on to found the Child Abuse Prevention Society which raised funds to support this effort and purchase a building to house this work and this mission.
In 1987, thanks to Lois, the historic firehouse at 1757 Waller Street became the place where children and families around this city came for resources and support.
And finally, in 1998, TALK Line Family Support Center and San Francisco Child Abuse Council formally consolidated their programs to create the San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center.
Today, you can still find the San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center here at the firehouse. A testament to her vision, the firehouse is a community center, an icon of the neighborhood, and the inspiration for our logo. Thanks for your vision and your passion Lois.
Read Lois’ obituary here.