Shorenstein Residential has expanded its philanthropic outreach in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district. These efforts include partnering with local aid organizations St. Anthony’s Foundation and Lava Mae in providing showers for the homeless. The developer also has contributed to the Tenderloin Community Benefit District (TLCBD) for growth and expansion plans.

S.F.-based philanthropic organization Lava Mae repurposes commuter buses with mobile shower units. These mobile hygiene units can serve dozens of homeless clients when supplied by a water source. Shorenstein contributed to the pilot project in partnership with St. Anthony’s by making space available at the proposed development site 1066 Market (which just received approval from the city's planning department).

Shorenstein managing director Meg Spriggs hopes to make the pilot a regular program. “Lava Mae is a truly innovative and worthwhile organization bringing dignity and opportunity to San Francisco’s homeless,” Meg says. “We were delighted to be able to provide them with the ability to expand their One Shower at a Time program. We hope this program will help positively activate our site prior to construction starting on our proposed project."

The developer also is contributing to expansion plans for the TLCBD, which provides maintenance, sidewalk cleaning and beautification services paid for by an assessment on Tenderloin properties.

Shorenstein contributed $25k to strengthen the organization’s leadership and oversight. This donation, along with $25k from St. Francis Foundation and $50k from S.F.'s Office of Economic and Workforce Development, marks a milestone in the group’s two-year fundraising goal of $325k.

Shorenstein Residential development manager Julie Burdick serves as board chair of the TLCBD. “A significant amount of work went into re-energizing the [TLCBD], and we are now seeing the results,” she says. “As a property owner in the district, Shorenstein sees the opportunity for the [TLCBD] to play a stronger leadership role in the community and create new partnerships and programs to improve the neighborhood for everyone.”