Well, the name has since been changed to "new parent support" i am told, but this place is the best…read moreever for any new mom and even for second time moms! I was referred by my pediatrician on a particularly rough day, and because of this, i met a wonderful group of new moms that will be friends for years to come! This program is funded by the tobacco tax, and in addition to the new parent support groups, they also provide all sorts of baby related items to mothers in need. if you have any items for donation (diapers, clothes, formula, baby toys) this is the best place to drop them. I cant say enough about this program. It has made the transition to motherhood a delight! Love, Sara

I loved being in a new mom's group through Smart Healthy Babies. I am still friends with several…read moreof the women in the group several years later. It was a free 8 week mom's group with a great leader who had all kinds of hot tips for new moms. Also a nurse came to the house and helped with the first bath and weighing the baby. It is a free service and very supportive.

I'm a big fan of the Yerba Buena Neighborhood so I was excited to hear about this organization. In…read moreessence, the YBA is a resource for figuring out all the cool things that are happening in the area (I'd encourage you to sign up on their mailing list!). Sure, we all know SFMOMA is in the 'hood, but there are a lot of smaller places that combine to make the area a true destination, day or night. Check out the list (http://www.yerbabuena.org/site/c.cfLEJUOxHkE/b.2297963/k.A51E/Our_Members.htm), to see what I'm talking about. Yelp Inc. even joined the Alliance, since our HQ is in the neighborhood. Heather Hoell, who runs YBA, is a great person to work with and a great evangelist for all the local businesses that she represents. So whether you're a visitor to the area or a local business, I'd highly recommend taking advantage of this cool and useful neighborhood association and website.

Whether you're a playwright hoping to workshop a new script, an actor looking for performance…read moreexperience or a mere mortal looking for cheap/free entertainment, PCSF is a great San Francisco resource. Although I've never submitted work (and will remain forever in awe of those who do), I've participated in staged readings as both actor and audience member, and I always meet some cool people and enjoy a chill night of live performance. Scene nights are free to attend, whether or not you're a PCSF member, and each scene typically lasts 10 minutes. If you're a playwright looking to workshop a scene and aren't a PCSF member, it's only $10 to get your pages read by paid actors (pretty freaking good for actor time + feedback.) You can also attend workshops of full-length plays, or their performances of multiple short plays for a small fee that goes to support PCSF. Worth. It.

My 14 year-old is working this summer at his first job through Youth Works! Starting back in…read moreMarch, he marched himself to City Hall to pick up an application, filled out everything by himself, was encouraged by a staffer named Fish (thank you), attended trainings, began an 8 week gig, and yesterday, cashed his first paycheck! We framed a copy of his paycheck and the first $2 bill he earned! Best Father's Day present ever!

Definitely a delayed response, but every now and then I remember my Youthworks days and remember…read morethat I owe this program a lot of recognition and so, so many "thank yous." I am thoroughly grateful that I was lucky enough to get such a positive introduction to working life at such a young age (14). Big ups to my big brother for walking inside with me to get an application because I was too shy to go in alone!! Back in 2008, I was a freshmen at Berkeley High & got my first 2 jobs (different sessions) through Youthworks (winter & summer). Fish and John were both helping students out, and they were both incredible mentors. After 2 years with Youthworks, I hit 16 and was able to find my own job with all the skills I learned here & was the only minor to get hired in a great store with 80+ other empoyees (not age, quantity). In May '15, I'll be a 5 year employee here! Now, at 20 years old, I'm seeing many of my old peers looking for jobs and trying to figure out how to step into the workforce. 20 years old isn't a bad age to start working working, but I can't explain how comforting it is to know that because I've had my current job for so long, which I landed after training with Youthworks, I can have a stable schedule & great relationships with my managers, allowing me to have been enrolled in college the entire time with no problems when I have to move my schedule each semester. I recommend this program to Berkeley High students whenever I get a chance. Such a positive experience with an incredibly supportive community. I still keep my resumes, I have my 1st paycheck stub somewhere in my "high school" box. It was one of the best things I ever did in my teen years. Please, encourage your teens to seek out this program. Teens, go for it! You'll have your own cash. I don't know if there's an equivalent to Fred's Market sandwiches for you guys in '14, but whatever the best place to eat is around campus - you can go there e v e r y d a y! Or save for your first car! Either way, you'll be sooooo happy you did it when you're older. Fish & John, Thank you so much for doing what you do everyday. I don't how often you guys & your team get recognized for the work you do, but as a Youthworks alumni, I am so incredibly thankful that I was fortunate to have walked into that office & start my journey as a 'breadwinner' with you guys. 6 years later, and the gratitude is still there. Thank you, so very much!!!

In many cities throughout the Bay Area, there is a local chapter of the Mothers Club. Started…read morenearly 20 years ago by Katie Hoepke, the Mothers Club have become the place to get hooked up with a play group, find second hand furniture and clothes as well as friendships for you and your children. I have found friends I hope will last for a lifetime.

My initial reaction to this group was nothing sort of amazing. They provided me with essential…read moreitems I needed when I was living in near third world poverty. They have a plethora of items and services they offer and were for the most part friendly. Things started going sour once I asked for assistance with housing. The cost of living in San Francisco is astronomically expensive that is no secret and allegedly there are outreach groups that can lighten the burden at least temporarily in The City albeit I have yet to find one. Fact of the matter is if you're not in very specific social circles housing assistance is firmly off limits for San Francisco citizens I have come to find out. After being told politely there was nothing that can be done about placement in long term sustainable housing the conversation for me ended. Towards the end of last year I did attempt to get back in contact with the general inquiry form via the website asking for a voucher for a haircut (which they offer). This was after attempting to catch one of the satellite sites they allegedly have set up around the city on various days and no one being at the location during the timeframe they specified. No worries come to the actual brick and mortar location and we can get you a voucher right away. Once there I did receive the voucher but I also asked for a sleeping bag (again another item they allegedly offer) since the place I was staying at the time was so cold I swore I saw a few penguins running around one night. The woman literally laughed in my face and said I couldn't have one. Huge red flag that I ignored but I politely thanked her and left. The voucher itself is only valid at certain locations for the hair cut so I went to the salon and tried to introduce myself to the woman there. The woman proceeded to pointedly ignore me and project a very dismissive attitude towards me. Nothing was said I simply walked out and have not returned since. Overall this place is now NOT a great place to go if you're of African decent. Period point blank if you want something good done do it yourself. "Free does not mean good" and it really rings true for here. I am not sure if its the moral high ground of knowing that the people you're assisting are obviously at a much lower point then you are which in turn makes the workers feel as if they're above you. However save yourself the shame and disappointment and simply avoid. Its not worth it if you're already in a shaky place in your life to have this weighing on your conscience. As you can see from my other reviews I have not had the most pleasant experiences lately in The Bay Area...However! I write these reviews based on my experience so that others will benefit from the experiences that I have. But always do your own research!

Very organized!! I wish everyone knew how easy it is to volunteer a few hours of your time. This…read morewas my 4 time. They give you different jobs every time and it's so easy to just help. The Homeless need help on other days besides Christmas and Thanksgiving. When you see the children and adorable dogs.... you will not only feel humbled and grateful you will feel good about helping. It's so easy and it goes by fast. I'll be back for as long as I live in SF.

I am currently enrolled in the NERT Full Training with San Francisco Fire Department. As usual,…read morethe instructors are GREAT !!! The instructors are knowledgeable and friendly! I completed the NERT Training in the past and I recommend to everyone who has completed the training to take it again: (1) as a refresher: (1) to keep abreast of Emergency Response procedures and equipment , (2) how to help my local neighborhood including family and friends in an emergency, and (3) if I am traveling how to be proactive and ready . I am look forward to the hands-on experience in the class and the instructors' dialogue, pictures and discussions with us. THANK YOU TO THE SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT

I was first introduced to N.E.R.T. in the summer of 2000. Not to be confused with N.E.R.D. My…read moreDirector, who was also my mentor, recommended I take this training as a way for me to grow and will benefit me in the long run. Was he ever right. N.E.R.T. stands for Neighborhood Emergency Response Team. It was established after the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. In a major catastrophe, all First Responders will be inundated with emergency calls everywhere in the City. All resources will be stretched thin and the civilian population will have to fend for themselves for several hours and maybe even days. Expect infrastructures to be damaged and public services will be minimal to nonexistent. This is a worst-case scenario. It may happen...and it has happened. Living in the Bay Area under numerous fault lines, we've heard the phrase, "It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when" so many times before. Remember that this side of the bay is heading south and LaLa land will be up here in the bay in a fraction of an earth time minute. That's roughly equivalent to when the dinosaurs became extinct to when the first ape-like creatures began standing on their hind legs. Yes, most of us won't be around by then, but that's just the facts. Here are some questions you really should ask yourselves: Are you prepared? Do you know what to do during and after an earthquake? Do you have a plan? How do you communicate with your family and loved ones? Do you know how to shut off your gas and water line? Do you have enough food and water to last you for more than 72 hours? What is cribbing? Do you have first-aid kits? There are more questions on the list, but these are the critical ones. N.E.R.T. is a training course facilitated by the SFFD. It's FREE to all San Francisco residents or if you work in the City. You can have the option of taking the six-week course or do it all in one day. They will teach you lifesaving techniques and simply knowing what to do is crucial. You don't want to be that person panicking and running around like a chicken with its head cut off making it worst for everyone else. Once you become certified, you get a hardhat, a vest and an ID. You can also participate in city-wide drills via notification from email if you choose to sign-up. Having taken this training, I am constantly prepared and the most important thing I have taken from this class is having enough water to last your family for 72 hours or more. I always go to Costco and buy 6 cases at a time and rotate them. I also bought a multipurpose tool just in case the big one hits and this tool will be more valuable than gold after the big one hits. Remember...it's WHEN not IF. Do yourself and your loved ones a favor and take this training. You can make it a family affair as it could be a lifesaver. Best thing of all is it doesn't cost a penny.

I attended the recruitment week for the triathlon club a few weeks back at their swim event at…read moreAquatic Park. I met a few of the club members and they were all kind. There were a few announcements made by the swim director Aimee before she requested all newcomers to come up to the front. I was the first one to the front and greeted her, only to be completely ignored. As moments passed, several other individuals showed up and were promptly greeted by Aimee. She conducted her quick safety briefing and offered advice and the opportunity for pairings for those individuals. However, when I again greeted her and let her know that I was interested in joining the club, I was met with a look and tone of annoyance. It was comical how quickly her tone negatively shifted when she had to interact with me. I explained that I came from a competitive swim background, and her only response was to jump into the water. No offer for open water swim advice or partner pairings like she did with everyone else. I did a quick swim and wanted to ask a few more questions about the club and was blatantly ignored by Aimee once again. It's quite ironic how she praises the value of community, generosity, and support in the club on the website, and yet, as a leader within the club, she displays the complete opposite. Sports such as triathlons and biking have all had a history and stereotype of being exclusive, and unfortunately, this group has selected a leader that further perpetuates this negative stigma. Aimee isn't a complete reflection of the club and their values as she is an individual, but I do want others to be aware of my experience when exploring or looking for a community

I'd have to agree with Isla and J.G.'s reviews. It shocks me how almost mindlessly fawning the…read moremajority of reviews for GGTC are, almost like cultish brainwashing. I've been a high performer in sports all my life, and have therefore seen the worst and best of the jock lifestyle. GGTC is more clique-ish and shallow than even high school sports. They will talk a good game and coax new members in with backslaps and promises of comradery. But, just like grade school, you have to hit some magical combination of perceived coolness to actually be accepted. To prospective members: Do you seriously want to be a part of that immaturity? One example happened the very first week I joined. I went on a general long-distance road cycle organized by GGTC. The event leader was Ellison Wada. (Yes, you are going to be called out when you behave churlishly.) I spoke with him about the Marin Century Ride and mentioned I had registered for it. He answered my questions about what the course was like, and vaguely mentioned that some GGTC members would be riding in it. Never mentioned who they were, and his body language and evasive speech made it clear I was not welcome to join that contingent. So, as a new member to GGTC and a new transplant to San Francisco, I was left to do the century alone. What a great feeling that was as someone trying to establish themself in an unfamiliar place. Come the day of the century, about halfway through the ride, I see Ellison and about eight other GGTC members at a rest station. So even though this sad boy was part of that contingent, he purposely withheld that fact because he didn't want me to join them. And no, neither he nor GGTC can make the excuse that I would have had trouble keeping up. I kept up with the faster riders during the previous group event, and during other rides, consistently outpaced members who trained 3x more than I did. Furthermore, I actually caught up to the GGTC contingent during that Marin Century, even though I started an hour later than they did. Note that this was my first century ever, and I still caught up to them. Maybe the club needs to rethink if it's really as hot as it believes, and reconsider its training programs, if a newbie can easily achieve that without any support. It's pretty sad to see grown adults -- many of who were never-beens when they were younger and are trying to desperately capture some semblance of glory in their twilight years -- behave that way. I couldn't stand being around a group of people I felt nothing but contempt for, and left in disgust several months after joining.