SoMa Community Advocate Appointed to the Eastern Neighborhoods Citizens Advisory Committee

We at SOMCAN are beyond excited that Theresa Imperial of the Veterans Equity Center, our longtime ally and a staunch SoMa community advocate, was recently appointed to serve on the Eastern Neighborhoods Citizens Advisory Committee. This committee has the important task of providing input to decision makers and government agencies on the prioritization of public benefits and updating the statuses of development proposals. Their input carries far-reaching implications for SoMa and other Eastern neighborhoods– traditionally home to many immigrant and working class families.

Hope Diwata, SOMCAN's Communications Intern, recently interviewed Theresa about her new appointment and the ideas and perspectives she hopes to bring to the table.

SOMCAN: How does it feel to be nominated for the Eastern Neighborhoods Citizens Advisory Committee?

Theresa: I'm honored to be part of this committee. I knew some people who have been part of this committee before and know some of the current committee members. I feel honored in a way that I can contribute my experiences and knowledge that reflects the deep needs of the community.

SOMCAN: How did you become interested in serving on this committee?

Theresa: I became interested in this committee because I was part of the Boards and Commission Leadership Institute of Urban Habitat, where they provide trainings for community workers of color to participate in democratic institutions. As part of the training, I asked different members of the community their opinions on what committees I should apply for based on which committee can best address the issues they face. A couple of community members advised me to apply for the Eastern Neighborhoods Citizens Advisory Committee because there was a vacant seat and they were alarmed to learn that most of the members are developers. They think that my eight years of service to the community will bring value and much-needed perspective to critical discussions that occur within this committee. I decided to apply and was also endorsed by District 6 Supervisor Jane Kim.

SOMCAN: What public benefits would you like to see happen in these neighborhoods?

Theresa: Since my background is in tenant and community advocacy, I would like to see more public benefits on services to community and infrastructure.

In terms of services, I would like to see more public benefits on tenant counseling– especially agencies within the SoMa area plan– as well as assistance to affordable housing. In addition, services for the senior population and people with disabilities are also greatly needed. Senior citizens greatly benefit from community programs. We need to continually offer these community programs so seniors living in the area have the opportunity to build relationships with one another. Furthermore, we must increase the budget for Bessie Carmichael School, a K-8 school in SoMa, so they can hire an in-house social worker. This social worker would connect families to services such as childcare and after-school community programs like the Filipino Education Center.

Regarding infrastructure, transit and streets must be improved. There especially must be an emphasis on pedestrian safety. Parks and recreation centers need to be monitored or programmed either by a community-based organization or by the Parks and Recreation staff. These programs must be accessible to low-income residents. Furthermore, it would be great to offer free classes and activities for youth and seniors.

There are many more issues to discuss but I feel like these are the most important ones that need to be addressed first. Especially because these are issues the community has been talking about for a long time now.

SOMCAN: What would you like to accomplish while on this committee?

 Theresa: I would like to bring up these aforementioned issues to the committee and create discussions that are based on the needs of the population that I have served for the last eight years. I would like to set forth recommendations on how we can improve services and infrastructure that have been neglected for years. I hope I can bring a different kind of perspective and hope other members of the committee will see a different angle on the SoMa I've known.