May 2026 eNews
Dear friends,
We kicked off May last Friday in the streets with Bay Resistance, marching together against fascism and in support of workers. Our contingent focused particularly on opposing cuts to healthcare for seniors, immigrants, and disabled people, and we’re so proud of the powerful artwork we made to support this message.
This month will be full of more opportunities to take action in support of our campaigns, and full funding for the programs that keep our communities alive. Read on for updates on the San Francisco budget fight and upcoming ways to get involved in our work. May is also Affordable Housing Month, with lots of events put on by our partner organizations across the Bay Area.
Meanwhile, we’re also gearing up for the primary election on June 2, which will include four propositions on the San Francisco ballot. SDA is still in the process of formalizing our positions, but stay tuned for an email about that in mid-May. Learn more here about the election and how to vote in-person or by mail. SDA was part of the coalition to put Prop D (the Overpaid CEO Act) on the ballot. If it were to pass, this tax on the city’s wealthiest corporations could be a major revenue measure, generating over $1 billion annually. Learn more about the Yes on D campaign here.
Above right photo via Tim Redmond, 48Hills
SDA News & Highlights
Buy tickets or sign up to volunteer at Spring Into Action: SDA's 2026 Annual Celebration
Wednesday, May 20, 5:30 to 8pm
First Unitarian Universalist Church & Center of SF (1187 Franklin St, SF)
Spring Into Action, SDA's 2026 Annual Celebration is fast approaching! On Wednesday, May 20, 5:30 to 8pm, we'll gather at the First Unitarian Universalist Church & Center of SF for a night of socializing, food and drink, and a wonderful variety show with performers from our senior and disabled community!
Buy tickets for our Annual Celebration here. Tickets are sliding scale between $60-100, with a limited number of equity tickets available at a lower price.
Take our community input survey
We're excited to launch our community input survey on your experiences with SDA and communication preferences — the first survey of its kind we've conducted in several years. Whether you're a member, participant, ally, or supporter, we need to hear from you. Take the survey today!
As a grassroots organization, our power is in our people. Please tell us how to reach you so you can show up in the critical campaigns we're working on now.
The survey takes approximately 15 minutes, and responses are completely confidential and anonymous. If you opt in, you'll be entered to win a gift card to Safeway, Rainbow Grocery, or Suspiro Coffee in SoMa. You don't need to be an official SDA member to participate.
Need help or prefer to complete it by phone? Call or email Grace at 415-636-6410, grace@sdaction.org.
Keep fighting Mayor Lurie’s budget cuts
Tuesday, May 12, 12 to 1:30pm at SF City Hall
Our senior and disability contingent made a powerful showing at City Hall on April 15. Over 200 people showed up to deliver messages to Mayor Lurie and give comment at the Budget Hearing, sharing their stories about why programs supporting seniors and disabled people must not be cut.
On May 12, the People’s Budget Coalition is holding another day of action at City Hall to deliver thousands of community stories, then show up together at the Board of Supervisors. This is going to be a really important public display to get the mayor's attention and so we need as many people as possible to show up. Sign up here to attend the May 12 budget action. If you have any questions, email Itzel at itzel@sdaction.org.
Join our May Masked Park Hangout
Sunday, May 17, 2 to 5pm at Golden Gate Park
Want to connect with other Covid cautious people and Masks for Equity members? Join us at our next masked park hangout on Sunday, May 17, 2 to 5pm at Golden Gate Park (exact location shared once you RSVP). Find more details and access info, and RSVP here for the masked park hang. Note that high-quality masks (KN95/KF94/N95 or better) are required at all times. We hope to see you there!
SDA has been fighting for Hallidie Plaza (at the Powell Street BART/Muni station) to be accessible for a long time — making the site a priority for the City, supporting funding, and giving feedback on what it should be like. We need your voice to ensure Hallidie Plaza meets the needs of disabled people and seniors.
The San Francisco Office on Disability and Accessibility (ODA) is carrying out a survey on the Hallidie Plaza Accessibility Improvement Project. Let them know what you think! Take the survey now.
Protect IHSS
At the California state level, the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program is facing cuts as the Governor and State Legislature work on this year’s budget. IHSS is critical to keeping seniors and disabled people living independently and getting the care we need in our homes. Over 700,000 Californians currently rely on IHSS. Right now the back-up providers program is on the chopping block. This is the system in place for people to find a replacement provider if their regular provider is sick or can’t work for another reason. Weakening IHSS could force people out of their homes and into institutions. Sign this petition to tell the Governor: Protect IHSS! You can also share your IHSS story with your legislators, through Parents Helping Parents’ helpful form.
Meet our Peer Advocate Media Team!
Thank you to the San Francisco Foundation for granting SDA a Rapid Response Fund for Movement Building grant to support our new media team. With SF Foundation’s support, we’ll create a series of videos to enable local seniors and disabled people to make sense of the latest information they need to survive. The videos will include political education about the systemic threats to these services and ways to get involved with fights to preserve them.
Staffing the Media Team are Maya and Keirra, long-time disability organizers in the Bay Area with experience in both the narrative and technical sides of this project. Stay tuned for more on our media project and our upcoming videos!
Resource Highlight: MEDA: Walk-In Housing Clinic
Are you looking to speak with a housing counselor one-on-one about your housing options or economic situation? MEDA offers programs free of charge to help families and entrepreneurs find stability and move forward. You can contact them at their location in Plaza Adelante, 2301 Mission Street, Suite 301, SF. They are open Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm. No appointment needed. There are Spanish speaking counselors.
Community News & Events
Emergency Preparedness Focus Group for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community
Wednesday, June 10, 5:30 to 7:30pm at the San Francisco Main Library
The Department of Emergency Management has created a focus group intended for people who live or work in San Francisco and are deaf or hard of hearing. If this description fits you, SDA highly recommends you attend this upcoming session.
In this focus group, you will:
Explore the city's emergency preparedness campaign ReadySF (sf.gov/ReadySF) and alert and warning system AlertSF (alertsf.org)
Review sample emergency messages and social media posts
Watch short video clips (press conferences) and share what works and what does not
ASL interpretation and captions will be provided. Additional accommodations are available upon request. This is an in-person session. Light dinner and beverages will be provided.
Chrome x Community Bike & Car Show Block Party
Saturday, May 16, 10am to 4pm on Galvez Ave between Mendell St and Newhall St in San Francisco
Join SDA at the Safer Together Chrome x Community Block Party, a day of classic cars, custom bikes, music, food, and heartwork. SDA will be tabling to bring our work to the residents of Bayview Hunters Point. From 10am to 4pm, we'll be celebrating culture, creativity, and community with our neighbors.
If you can, also please consider joining the block party event as a volunteer!
Find a full list of our monthly program meetings on our website's events calendar.
Let’s build this movement together. Donate to SDA today!
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