Presented by San Francisco Health Plan, a local health plan dedicated to improving health outcomes across San Francisco, along with the SF Police Community Foundation and SFPD Central Station, the event connected attendees with local providers offering healthcare, insurance, technology, legal, caregiving, disability, and other valuable support. Community sponsors included Home Match SF, a free program that connects people seeking housing with homeowners who have extra space, and SCAN Health Plan, a nonprofit Medicare Advantage health plan focused on helping older adults stay healthy and independent.

Participants had the opportunity to ask questions, learn directly from providers, and take home helpful materials, many available in English, Chinese, Spanish, and other languages.

Guests also enjoyed a free hot lunch prepared onsite by WTFlip N’ Chicken and served in the Tina Keker Playground, ice cream donated by San Francisco Bay Area Ben & Jerry’s Catering, take-home bags from the new North Beach Grocery Outlet, exciting raffle prizes, and other freebies from booths throughout the day. 

For many older adults, finding and navigating essential services can be overwhelming, especially when information is spread across multiple organizations or unavailable in their preferred language. TEL HI hosts this free annual fair to bring trusted providers together in one welcoming, accessible place.

By connecting older adults directly with resources, information, and personal support, we help them make informed decisions, maintain their independence, and stay healthy, connected, and engaged. We are grateful to our TEL HI Senior Program staff and Seniors With A Purpose (SWAP) Advisory Board for organizing the event, SFPD Central Station officers for their in-person support, and the TEL HI staff and volunteers, including TEL HI Board Vice President Tim Keefe, who helped bring the day together. Making an event of this size possible takes a community!

Congratulations to Joanne Qiong Li, this year’s recipient of the TEL HI Education Assistance Scholarship! 

Joanne is a dedicated member of TEL HI’s Mission Bay Early Childhood Education (ECE) team, where she makes a meaningful difference in the lives of the children and families we serve. Her commitment to her work and the TEL HI community makes this recognition well deserved. 

Pictured: (from left to right) Dale Fehringer; Joanne Qiong Li; Connie Luu, TEL HI ECE Director; Nicole Yang, TEL HI ECE Mission Bay Site Supervisor; Nestor L. Fernandez II, TEL HI CEO/Executive Director

Awarded annually, the scholarship helps TEL HI employees pursue their educational and professional goals while continuing to serve our community. Recipients may receive $4,000 per year for up to four years to help cover tuition, fees, books, and necessary equipment. Since its inception, the scholarship has awarded more than $35,000 in educational support to TEL HI staff. 

This opportunity is made possible through the generosity of longtime TEL HI supporters Dale Fehringer and Patty McCrary, who believe deeply in making quality education accessible—especially for the dedicated employees who serve our community each day. 

By investing in our employees’ education, we support their personal and professional growth while strengthening the high-quality care and services TEL HI provides 

Pictured: North Beach Place families choose from a selection of donated clothing from Dottie Doolittle

For more than 50 years, Dottie Doolittle, located at 3680 Sacramento Street, has been a neighborhood favorite for many San Francisco families. The longtime children’s boutique offers clothing from American and European designers for infants and children. Since 2025, new owners Reidie and Pad have continued the legacy of this beloved, community-focused San Francisco business while bringing their own family perspective to the shop.

Dottie Doolittle recently demonstrated its commitment to the community by donating several cases of brand-new children’s clothing and shoes to TEL HI’s annual North Beach Place Back-to-School Supplies Giveaway. Their generous contribution helped us provide dozens of local families with new clothing and other essentials as children prepared to return to school.

We are grateful to Reidie, Pad, and the Dottie Doolittle team for supporting TEL HI families and helping local youth start the school year feeling prepared and confident!

North Beach Place Youth Center Reopens 

Earlier this month, the North Beach Place Youth Center at 567 Bay Street reopened its doors earlier this month, welcoming youth back to a safe and supportive space to hang out with friends, get homework help, use computers, and enjoy games like pool, foosball, Pop-A-Shot basketball, board games, and PS4 video games. 

The center is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM for North Beach Place residents ages 8 to 17, and nonresidents ages 10 to 17. Staff also plan special activities throughout the month, including painting, cooking, field trips, and more. To encourage more local youth to participate, the team recently visited Francisco Middle School and Galileo Academy of Science and Technology to share information about the center and how students can get involved. Families can learn more about the program or register for the center below.

Join us on Saturday, October 17 for TEL HI's Fall Fundraiser 2026: Laughs for a Cause, featuring Emmy winning comedian and emcee Jesse Fernandez, freshly prepared paella, unlimited local craft beer from San Francisco Brewing Co., wine, live and silent auctions, and more.

Early Bird tickets are $120 through September 26 before increasing to $135. Childcare is also available for TEL HI Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Elementary School Academy (ESA) families for $30 per child. In additional to TEL HI's core programs, event proceeds will support the renovation of TEL HI’s gym, a longtime gathering place for children, older adults, families, and neighbors throughout our community.

Learn more: TELHIFF2026.givesmart.com

Want to get involved with TEL HI? Click here for ways to donate or support our programs.

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