Luz Bourne-Ruiz is an energetic, single mother of 7-year-old Nathan, who attends Alvarado Elementary School in San Francisco. The immigrant from Mexico operates her own business, the New Alternatives Cafe, a cozy, neighborhood eatery serving breakfast and lunch on Guerrero near 28th. Featuring a convivial environment, there’s even a piano, guitar and congas for musically…
Back in Antigua, Guatemala, Sofia Lopez had a small business selling items like pocketbooks, belts and wallets on the vibrant main square. She had always wanted to run such a venture and was achieving success … until violence compelled her to leave her homeland a decade ago. Now residing in San Francisco’s Bayview, Lopez initially…
“Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined I’d be living in Twin Peaks when I was growing up in the predominantly black Fillmore or, as it’s now called, the Western Addition,” says 60-something Ernest Herndon, who is blessed with a definite gift of gab. It was a long road to travel the few…
Most Americans have sampled hummus, that creamy blend of garbanzo beans, tahini, garlic, lemon and olive oil that is the perfect complement for vegetables and crackers. Well, the Bay Area is now excitedly trying new items like musakhan: baked pita bread topped with seasoned caramelized onions, roasted almonds and sumac. That’s due to Mama Lamees’…
The MEDA free tax preparation team had quite the three-month season from mid-January to mid-April 2016. Over 4,000 returns were filed, translating to $5.8 million in refunds. This is just one way MEDA builds community capital for the historically underresourced community of the Mission District. MEDA’s indefatigable tax team, run by staff and supported by over…
“My dream is that a high-quality education should be accessible for everyone, from when children are very young through adulthood,” explains Esperanza Estrada of her mission as teacher-owner of Estrada’s Family Preschool in San Francisco. Esperanza has been a MEDA Business Development client, coached by Teresa García. There were many business aspects to be learned –…
from Executive Director Luis Granados Last year was a game-changer at MEDA. While our asset-building services empowered nearly 7,000 low- to moderate-income clients — the most in our 42-year history — our organization ventured into new territory. MEDA is barely recognizable as the organization it was just a few years ago: our nonprofit is now…
With MEDA invited to be part of “San Francisco Small-Business Week 2016” starting May 21, last night was time to celebrate a big win for community-serving enterprises in the Mission. That’s because D’Maize Restaurant – an immigrant-owned establishment – held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its brick-and-mortar location at 2778 24th Street (between York and Hampshire streets)….
“I almost fainted when I saw how much money I was getting back!” says decade-long Mission resident Angelica Maldonado of the $4,110 refund she received when getting free tax preparation at MEDA. Not surprising, considering that this is one-third of her annual $12,000 income. Turns out 40 minutes can change a life. That amount came…
“My teaching newcomers to San Francisco is like I’m coming home. I was in classes like these when I emigrated from the Philippines at age 5. It’s like I am helping myself,” explains Everett Middle School teacher Jan Michelle Bautista of why she loves her job, and of the empathy she exhibits for her sixth-…
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