To Our Safe & Sound Friends, Families & Colleagues,
At the heart of our mission at Safe & Sound is our commitment to protecting the children and families in our community. We are, therefore, taking precautions to minimize the risk of exposure and the potential for transmission of COVID-19 and, at the same time, caring for our clients and those in our community who need us most.
Guided by the Center for Disease Control and San Francisco Public Health Department, we will continue to provide essential services, including offering food to our clients and counseling for families in crisis, for as long as safely possible.
We are also postponing our 2020 Blue Ribbon Luncheon originally scheduled for April 16, 2020 until the Fall. Details on the new date will come shortly.
As we modify services and seek alternative ways to support our community, we are mindful of the reality of racism and xenophobia in the context of COVID-19 and future outbreaks. Misinformation about the outbreak has led to acts of violence and bullying. We stand against this misinformed response and continue our commitment to creating a compassionate and responsive community.
Together, let us focus on being well, appreciating our loved ones, and providing direct support for those who need a little bit more during this difficult time.
Thank you for your solidarity as we continue our work to strengthen families and protect children.
With gratitude,
Katie Albright
Chief Executive Officer
For the latest updates from the City & County of San Francisco, check the online resources below for updates, call 3-1-1 for guidance regarding COVID-19 public health safety information, and sign up to receive official updates from the City & County about COVID-19 via text message by texting COVID19SF to 888-777.
San Francisco Department of Public Health
San Francisco Department of Emergency Management
SFUSD COVID-19 Resources for Students and Families
Children may be curious or scared about everything going on with COVID-19. Here are some helpful ways you can talk to your kids.
8 ways to provide safety & comfort
A comic for exploring Coronavirus with kids
Talking to children about COVID-19 (NASP)
Fun ways to get your kids to wash their hands
With deep sadness on his recent passing, we respectfully honor our long-time supporter, Frank Caufield, who helped so many in a humble and quiet way.
Serving as Chair of the San Francisco Prevention Society (SFCAPS) Board, Frank supported Safe & Sound when we were known as San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center. He was particularly interested in our Children’s Needs Fund and underwrote a yearly program to send our families’ children to summer camp. Without fanfare, he asked Safe & Sound to forward the list of needs identified by clients directly to him and would regularly underwrite many of the simple yet vital items that made a difference to families’ lives: anything from mattresses to music lessons to school uniforms for scholarship students. He participated in our annual events, even donating his beloved Slim’s for one of our benefit venues. His commitment and generosity never wavered.
Frank wanted a real connection and took the time to make sure he understood the stories of the families with whom we work. We are honored to have known Frank and grateful for his support for our work. His legacy will be that he helped create a better, safer world for children and families.
Safe & Sound is saddened by the recent passing of Mardi Kildebeck, who was a wonderful friend, a supporter of our work, and a regular guest at our Blue Ribbon Luncheon. Mardi was also aunt to our Associate Director, Molly Jardiniano, and they share many qualities — kindness, humor, and a strong generosity of spirit. Mardi sought out updates on friends’ and loved-ones’ lives and listened with undivided attention, responding with either quick dry humor or a note of optimistic celebration – frequently exclaiming “What fun!” in response to good news. Mardi brought a blend of enthusiasm and pragmatism to any situation, creating a positive energy that lifted those around her.
Mardi served as director of the Mary Wohlford Foundation, which generously supported our work, as well as organizations focused on reproductive health, education and social justice. She took a particular interest in organizations like ours with a local presence, where a streamlined process for dispensing grants could have a significant and immediate impact. Oakland-based ACCESS Women’s Health Justice praised Mardi as a “model funder” and “dream donor” when presenting Mardi and the Mary Wohlford Foundation with an Access to Justice Award in 2013.
We are honored and humbled to have known Mardi and to be among the organizations she helped nurture and shape. She has left the world a better place.