Last evening, the Board of Supervisors’ Budget Committee voted to confirm a list of budget restorations that includes most of the proposed senior and disability service cuts for the coming year, including more than $2 million for programs funded through the Department of Disability and Aging Services.
This is a big win for seniors, people with disabilities, caregivers, veterans, community organizations, and everyone who believes San Francisco should protect essential services.
We Organized and Fought Back
This win would not have happened without all of the people who joined us as we organized and fought back.
Thank you to everyone who shared your story, signed a postcard, called or emailed your Supervisor, came to City Hall, joined a rally, spoke during public comment, encouraged a neighbor to take action, or helped spread the word. You showed City leaders that everyday people were not going to stand by as the City cut services that help people stay housed, healthy, connected, and engaged in their communities.
Thank you also to the People’s Budget Coalition, the Dignity Fund Coalition, CASE, and the many organizations, advocates, seniors, and people with disabilities who worked together throughout this difficult budget season. Together, we helped make sure City leaders understood what these cuts would mean in real people’s lives.
What This Means for CLC
For Community Living Campaign, the restoration list includes a partial restoration of $300,000 for ReServe, out of a $500,000 proposed cut. ReServe connects older adults and adults with disabilities with meaningful, part-time positions at nonprofits, schools, small businesses, and community organizations across San Francisco.
We did not get everything we fought for. CLC is still facing reduced funding, including for ReServe. And in this budget environment, we were unable to secure added funds to replace the state grant that helped us expand Community Connectors beyond our City contract.
That means we will still need to be creative and careful as we work through what comes next. We will keep looking for ways to stretch our funds as far as we can, including strengthening volunteer opportunities, expanding fundraising, and working closely with our community partners.
But we are in much better shape than many people thought possible when this budget process began. Back in January, we kept hearing that there would be no negotiating with the Mayor and very few add-backs. Instead, after months of organizing, the Board restored many of the services that seniors and people with disabilities depend on.
Please Help Us Say Thank You
As the budget moves toward the full Board vote in July, please email or call Supervisor Chan and the other members of the Budget Committee, as well as your own Supervisor and the Mayor.
Thank them for listening to the community and responding by restoring these cuts in a difficult budget year. These restorations will help protect services that seniors and people with disabilities depend on, and we are grateful for their ongoing support.
Let’s Celebrate This Important Win
Thank you for joining us as we keep organizing, working together, and fighting for a San Francisco where older adults and people with disabilities can age and thrive in our communities.
Join us at CLC’s offices on July 22 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. to celebrate our successes and continue organizing for what comes next.
When we fight, we win.