Bayanihan Equity Center
ADVANCING THE COMMUNITY IN
PURSUIT OF EQUITY & JUSTICE.
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SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1999
The Bayanihan Equity Center (BEC) is a trusted community center for low-income older adults, adults with disability, and families providing social services and advocacy.
The organization was originally founded on December 1, 1999 as the Veterans Equity Center to serve Filipino World War II veterans and their families. The organization developed a "one-stop-shop" service delivery system that bridges the gap between existing services in the community with the veteran population in need of services.
The organization observed a growing number of low-income, immigrant older adults accessing its services. To address the growing needs of the community and demand for services, coupled with the high mortality rate among its original consumers, the Veterans Equity Center expanded its mission and formally changed its name to the Bayanihan Equity Center (BEC) in 2017.
The BEC expanded its services to include, housing assistance, food pantry, exercise class for older adults, community choir and arts and crafts. BEC serves as an activity center for the older adults and adults with disability in San Francisco, especially for the South of Market residents.
If you are interested in receiving a hat with your donation of $35 or more, kindly write us a comment at the time of donation of your preferred hat color. These hats are limited in quantity, so we will honor requests on a first come, first serve basis.
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OUR SERVICES
FOOD ACCESS
As a pantry site of the SF-Marin Food Bank, the BEC hosts a weekly Immigrant Food Assistance Program, providing fresh produce and protein.
To address the growing food insecurity faced during the pandemic, the BEC created the Supplemental Grocery Program (SGP), a free temporary food assistance program for individuals affected by the pandemic, and are unable to access food pantry sites. Since its inception the SGP has provided more than 5,500 bags of food!
ACTIVITIES PROGRAMMING FOR OLDER ADULTS
In partnership with the SF Community Music Center, the BEC hosts a tuition-free choir for older adults. While the pandemic has affected in-person programming, the program was sustained by pivoting to virtual platforms. The choir meets virtually, rehearses, records, and puts together videos, in lieu of in-person concerts and recitals.
Check out the choir's recording of Campana Sobre Campana:
BEC also engages its consumers through field trips and arts and crafts workshops.
CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES
The BEC provides one-on-one assistance for individuals in housing, applying for CalFresh benefits, securing a COVID-19 vaccination appointment, immigration, and many more! Due to the pandemic, assistance has been provided through virtual or phone appointments.
