Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi to be honored as 2023 Health Justice Champion at SFCHC’s Show of Hope Gala
San Francisco, CA – San Francisco Community Health Center (SFCHC), which provides critical health care and social services in the Tenderloin and beyond, will hold its Show of Hope 36th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco, 5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco.
Hosted by ABC7 Mornings Anchor Reggie Aqui and Charity Auction Host Dale Johannes, the gala will celebrate the center’s mission-critical work and raise funds needed to provide medical, dental, mental health, and other support services to underserved and marginalized communities. The event will honor Nancy Pelosi, 52nd Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, with its Health Justice Champion Award and Cecilia Chung, senior director of Transgender Law Center and San Francisco health commissioner with its Community Impact Award. A special concert performance by dance music diva Martha Wash will close out the evening.
“We are thrilled to honor Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and transgender advocate Cecilia Chung for their unwavering support and commitment to HIV and LGBTQ communities,” said SFCHC Chief Executive Officer Lance Toma. “It is because of the long-standing support of these two preeminent leaders that we have been able to serve thousands of the most vulnerable and marginalized communities in San Francisco. It is champions like them who inspire our work.”
In a statement accepting the invitation to receive the Health Justice Champion Award, Speaker Emerita Pelosi praised SFCHC as a “vital lifeline for so many San Franciscans.”
“Our community is grateful to SFCHC for its transformative mission, ensuring that San Franciscans have access to quality health care services,” Speaker Emerita Pelosi said. “As we celebrate SFCHC’s many accomplishments, let us renew our pledge to continue caring for our most vulnerable families, with dignity, justice, and respect for all.”
San Francisco Community Health Center was founded in 1987 in response to the 1980s AIDS crisis, specifically focusing on the impact of the epidemic on Asian and Pacific Islander communities. While remaining rooted in these communities, the health center welcomes anyone in need of its services with particular attention to LGBTQ and people of color communities. In 2015, it became recognized as a Federally Qualified Health Center enabling it to greatly expand its clinical capacity and outreach.
“For over 35 years, San Francisco Community Health Center has been providing critical life- saving services for our Tenderloin neighbors,” said Toma. “We offer primary medical and behavioral health care as well as dental services to those marginalized members of our community who would not otherwise have access to health care.”
Each day, the health center provides support to the most vulnerable members of the city. Its comprehensive, integrated approach to health care puts clients at the center of its work and its wide array of medical, mental health, dental, substance use, and community programs are designed to empower people through a safe, respectful, and culturally competent approach. The health center also conducts training, consultation, and policy advocacy at the local, state, and national levels.
“The 36th anniversary gala is our way of thanking all those who support us,” said SFCHC Board Chair Ben Plumley. “Coming together as a community to celebrate our accomplishments and honor those who champion HIV and LGBTQ rights gives us renewed strength and determination to continue the fight for health care equity.”
Tickets to the gala are available at https://sfcommunityhealth.org or by calling 415-646-1012. The gala’s Title Sponsor is Gilead Sciences. The Reception Sponsor is Chevron. The Entertainment Sponsor is ViiV Healthcare.