Join Us for Giving Tuesday – the Global Day of Giving on Nov 28, 2023

Together, we can create the change we wish to see in the world.

Dear Rafiki Village & Friends,
We hope you are doing well! In times of uncertainty, there’s a fundamental truth that gives us hope – that together we can do extraordinary things. Whether that’s through donations to community organizations or helping out your neighbors, paying it forward and donating time, energy, and resources makes a positive impact on the world. Together, acts of kindness and compassion have been driving forces in overcoming challenges and building community across the globe.

Rafiki Coalition is participating in Giving Tuesday, the global day of unity and giving.

As you know, our organization’s goal is to improve people’s lives by reducing health inequities that impact the Black/ African American community and other underserved groups in San Francisco and provide opportunities for wellness.

Why Your Contribution Matters

We are feeling called on this #GivingTuesday to share more with you about what our community faces daily as a result of the ceaseless violence in our neighborhoods. This spring, we are feeling compelled by a request from the community to offer a series of youthcentered programming focusing on physical, mental, and emotional wellness through activity and performing arts.

Youth in Bayview have been going through a challenging time filled with community violence, taking a drastic toll on their mental health. Teenage violent school incidents on and off campus have become too normal when they are really a cry for help. Youth violence intervention programs, mental health, and wellness education programs are important now more than ever.

Over the past year, Rafiki has done great work in collaboration with 100% College Prep to provide mental health support groups to Black teens on Balboa High School’s campus. We hope to continue our work and reach many more students in Bayview. Our youth are the most vulnerable and bright-minded individuals with endless potential. It is up to us as a community to nurture and protect them.

We feel ambitious and excited about asking for $30,000 in donations in support of our new programs.

A Message from Our Director of Programs, Andre’ Aikins

“These programs are important to build community. If we do not invest in youth, we won’t see the community we want to have. If we want our young people to grow up to be emotionally intelligent, understand climate change, and understand and take advantage of the environments around them, we have to invest in their wellbeing.

If we don’t give tools for young people to be empathetic and manage the challenges they face, we are doing a disservice and sending them into life unequipped. Investing in our youth allows us to create and reflect the community and greater society we would like to have.” Andre, Director of Programs

What Are the Impacts of Your Contribution

We are confident that you will join us in supporting this series of youth programs. Here is a snapshot of what we have planned for Spring and Summer 2024. We are passionate about these programs and firmly believe that it will have a positive impact on the youth we serve. We eagerly anticipate your support in making both of these programs a success.

Rafiki Coalition x Street Sounds – Performing Arts for the Soul:

Join us for a 10-week youth performing arts boot camp, held in person at Rafiki. This is a safe and inclusive space where young people can acknowledge, learn from, and share their musical, poetic, and artistic talents with each other. The program is designed specifically for youth and families in the Bayview community to encourage self-expression and creativity, while also learning coping skills and ways to navigate the challenges of their young lives. Participating youth will receive a delicious and healthy hot meal twice a week. We will also offer African drum circles and other healing modalities to promote a positive and supportive environment. At the end of the summer, we will host a special performance and celebration in collaboration with our Umoja HAP partners.

Rafiki Youth Biking Program:

Our mission is to provide green transportation to the community while implementing restorative practices among young people. We are determined to integrate generational collaborations by having different generations spend time together and learn to support each other. We are preparing a 12-week program that will expose middle to high school aged youth to bike riding, help them explore new areas in their community, and teach them to build and maintain their own bikes. We are confident that our restorative life skills circles with youth, mental health practitioners, and other organizations will help them develop emotional intelligence and learn how to restore their emotions and any traumas they may have experienced or caused.

We can’t do this without you!

Please consider making a donation in the next 48 hours so we can raise $30,000 to host these much-needed programs to support our community!

Not only do we need your support, we need your help to spread the word. Please tell your friends and family why you believe in our work and encourage them to support us too!

Here’s how you can be a part of the giving movement:
1. Donate today to our cause.
2. Donate your time by volunteering at our upcoming events! Email tbrown@rafikicoalition to find out more.
3. Share acts of kindness in your community – Donate to a local food bank, volunteer online, or simply pay it forward in your own way.

In addition to making a donation to help us achieve our goal of r aising $30,000, please view this Giving Tuesday as an opportunity to help us spread the word so we can reach youth, and families in need of support and healing from violence during this season. Please share the campaign on social media and tell us why you support Rafiki’s mission for health and wellness.

Thank you for being a part of the Rafiki Coalition for Health & Wellness team. Together we are making a commitment to health equity and healing for our Black/African American community in San Francisco.

In gratitude and community, Shanell Williams
Rafiki Coalition for Health and Wellness