Author: Alfredo Casuso

Media contact:  DP&A, Inc., David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

Caravanserai Project Announces $ 2 Million Grant
from the Employment Training Panel of California

Funds Aimed at Over 200 Plus Inland Empire Spanish Speaking Startups
www.caravanseraiproject.org

27 May 2022 – Palm Springs, CA: The Palm Springs based Caravanserai Project (www.caravanseraiproject.org) announced a $ 2 million dollar grant awarded by the Employment Training Panel of California to provide training support and micro-grants to over 200 Spanish speaking startup and early-stage entrepreneurs in the Inland Empire.  The grant was announced at Caravanserai’s 6th Annual “graduation” and pitch competition held at the Palm Springs Art Museum. 

”It has been part of our core goal to marry the support Caravanserai Project is providing to Inland Empire based entrepreneurs to build sustainable and future-thinking organizational infrastructure with seed

funding. This infusion of capital into businesses owned by historically underserved entrepreneurs is not only timely but will have irreversible impact on the regional economy.” says Mihai Patru, Executive Director of the Caravanserai Project. “Together with our partners, our objective is to tap into the reservoir of incredible Spanish speaking entrepreneurs in the Inland Empire. Investing in them and their businesses is the only way to prepare the region and its people for the future.”

Caravanserai Project and its partners, Asociación de Emprendedor@s, Uplift San Bernardino – Make it Happen Foundation, and Get in Motion Entrepreneurs, will bring to the local entrepreneurs $1.5 million in direct Seed investments that will have positive mid and long-term impact on the Economy of the two counties and social fabric of our communities.

Caravanserai Project was founded in 2016 as a mission-driven hybrid venture whose goal is to support social impact entrepreneurs (for profit and nonprofit alike) strengthen their organizational infrastructure and build sustainable and relevant organizations that are working towards irreversible system change.

Caravanserai Project designs and implements technical assistance and capacity building programs with a particular focus on entrepreneurs and organizations in the Inland Empire and Southern California but works extensively across the nation and internationally as well. In 2020 and 2021, over 1200 entrepreneurs attended its programs. Almost 80% of Caravanserai beneficiaries identified themselves as women and 79% as BIPOC. To facilitate access to these specific communities of entrepreneurs, Caravanserai Project has established partnerships with regional and national organizations such as UC-Riverside, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Inland Empire Community Foundation, Inland Empire Community Collaborative, Making Hope Happen San Bernardino, Alianza Coachella Valley, The LGBTQ Center in Palm Springs and Coachella, Independent Sector among others.

The name Caravanserai is a metaphor for the mission and vision to provide a safe space for entrepreneurs to get the support they need and continue their journey forward. A caravanserai [KAR-AH–VAN–SE-RAY]was a well-known meeting place along trade routes from Asia, North Africa to Southeast Europe.

It provided merchants and travelers with a safe place to rest and opportunities to exchange and trade goods and acquire information about the challenges ahead. It had a crucial part in the cross-fertilization and exchanges of cultures by exposing travelers and locals to new ideas, beliefs, and languages.

Media contact: David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Thursday, May 26, 10am Pacific:

Manny’s presents an emergency online event with former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who was almost killed by a gunman, and Peter Ambler, the Executive Director of Giffords (https://giffords.org/about/) anti gun violence organization.

The goal of the conversation will be to discuss Tuesday’s historic and horrific shooting, how to end gun violence in this country, what people can do right now, a report on the advocacy being done, and a call to action direct from Gabby Giffords herself.

Register at the link below:

Media contact:  DP&A, Inc. / David Perry (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

Another Planet Entertainment Welcomes Back
Frameline to Castro Theatre

Bay Area Small Business Sponsors Frameline VIP & Guest Services Tent Ensuring ADA Accessibility and Comfort for Filmmakers & Media

25 May 2022 – San Francisco. Bay Area small business Another Planet Entertainment (www.apeconcerts.com) is honored to welcome back the world’s largest LGBTQ cultural institution, the Framline International LGBT Film Festival, to its home, San Francisco’s historic Castro Theatre (www.castrotheatre.com) this year celebrating its 100^th birthday. As part of the partnership, Another Planet is sponsoring Frameline’s VIP and Guest Services Tent adjacent to the theatre, a first-time venture long sought after by the Festival to ensure greater accessibility for filmmakers, the media and community members.

“The Castro Theatre and Frameline are a forever couple, ”said Mary Conde, Vice President for Another Planet who is in charge of the overall Castro Theatre Project. “There is no more important event that we work on, and no more significant experience for the LGBTQ and film communities than this Festival. Welcome home.”

Taking over management of the LGBT and film landmark Castro Theatre earlier this year, Another Planet has quickly put in place a series of signature events, including the annual Frameline Festival, returning to the Castro for the first time since the onset of the COVID pandemic, June 13 – 26. On May 22, Another Planet sponsored the annual screening of the Academy Award winning documentary “The Times of Harvey Milk” and the debut of “The Ruth Brinker Story” chronicling the life and legacy of the Project Open Hand founder. On May 15, Another Planet returned another community favorite, “The Sound of Music Sing-a-Long” to the venue, with future sing-a-longs to part of the schedule.  On June 3 – 12 brings a special celebration of films from each of the Castro Theatre’s 10 decades.  June 10 commemorates the 100^th birthday of Judy Garland with a special musical celebration on stage featuring Debbie Wileman. Later in the year, community favorites such as Peaches Christ and the annual “Home for the Holidays” Concert with Donna Sachet and the San Francisco Gay Mens Chorus are planned.

Another Planet Entertainment is partnering with Bay Properties, Inc., owners of the Castro Theatre,  on an evolution and preservation of San Francisco’s world-renowned entertainment and LGBTQ community landmark. With a long-standing history of working to preserve and improve historic buildings such as the Fox Theater in Oakland, the Greek Theatre in Berkeley and the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, Another Planet seeks to enhance the Castro Theatre by implementing significant improvements to the sound, lighting, production, HVAC and the theatre’s trademark marquee, among other facets of the building: all of this, always, with an eye to honoring its unique place in the lives of the Castro and celebrating its communities and residents.

Media Contact:
David Perry / DP&A, Inc. / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi at San Francisco’s MNC Inspiring Success
To Celebrate Their 125^th Anniversary

Tuesday, May 31, 10am – 1pm

www.mncsf.org

24 May 2022 – San Francisco, CA:  In 1897, a foresighted group of San Franciscans came together to birth an organization dedicated to building, preserving and service families. The result: San Francisco’s esteemed MNC Inspiring Success (www.mncsf.org) (Mission Neighborhoood Centers) will mark its 125^th anniversary on Tuesday, May 31, 10am – 1pm with a special presentation by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Mexico Consul General Remedios Gomez Arnau. Kicking of a daylong celebration of community and music, Pelosi and Gomez Arnau will unveil the sign on the Main Campus for the esteemed Mission District nonprofit at 362 Capp Street, henceforth to be known as the MNC Wolfsohn Campus in honor of Eva and Rachel Wolfsohn, the original founders in 1897.

“For generations, MNC Inspiring Success has dutifully supported and empowered underserved San Franciscans,” said Speaker Nancy Pelosi.  “It is a privilege to join such an inspiring organization in celebrating 125 years of remarkable service to our City as it continues to provide our neighbors with the community-based care and resources they need to thrive.  As we mark this milestone, and every day, San Franciscans remain deeply grateful for MNC‘s devoted advocacy on behalf of our children, our seniors and our families.”

“From children’s services, youth, workforce development to healthy aging and disability, MNC Inspiring Success has been serving the community with empowering multi-cultural, cradle to rocking chair services for 125 years,” said Richard Ybarra, CEO for MNC Inspiring Success. “From the immigrant, low income, working families we serve, to our board of directors, we are honored to have our esteemed Speaker Pelosi with us for this occasion.”

According to Ybarra, other supporting founders of MNC Inspiring Success will be honorably mentioned during the event, and with a special plaque being inscribed with their names, storied San Franciscans such as: Mrs. Paola Diviechi, Mrs. Charles J. Durbrow, Mrs. Mortimer Fleishhacker, Sr., Mrs. Leon Guggenheim, Mrs. Moses Gunst, Sr., Mrs. I. W. Hellman, Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Lilienthal, Mrs. Eva Neubauer, Mrs. Leon Sloss, Sr., Ms. Aimee Steinhart, Mrs. Abraham Stern

MNC Inspiring Success provides much needed early care and education for low-income, working families at 10 campuses in San Francisco. According to the SF Child Care Planning and Advisory Council, 6,122 children (ages 0-2) and 5,567 children (ages 3-5) in the city qualified for subsidized early care and education; 93% of subsidy eligible 3-5 year olds obtain care, while only 27% of infants and toddlers (0-2)are able to obtain subsidized care.

“Access disparities exist based on race and ethnicity,” Ybarra said, noting that in 2017, 50.3% of childcare spaces were not available to children of working families. “2020-2021 has shown how critical early care and education and childcare are to supporting our workforce and is key to rebuilding a strong post-COVID economy.”

According to Ybarra, over 43% of Hispanic/Latino 3 to 5 year olds were not enrolled in preschool or kindergarten, compared with less than 33% of their Asian American, white, and multiracial peers. Recognizing this great need, MNC Inspiring Success partnered with Mission Housing Development Corporation to obtain the space in their affordable housing development and received funding support from the Low Income Investment Fund for construction costs. MNC Inspiring Success’ current year $32 million budgetis supported through funding from City of San Francisco, the Office of Head Start, the California Department of Education, and the San Francisco Office of Early Care and Education.

MNC Inspiring Success is a San Francisco preeminent community-based organization. For 125 years, in 62 of these years in early care, MNC Inspiring Success has been at the forefront of providing early childhood education, social and supportive services to low-income youth, families, and seniors in an engaging, inclusive, culturally appropriate environment that promotes community empowerment and economic prosperity.  For more info, please visit: www.mncsf.org 

Media contact:

David Perry & Associates, Inc. / David Perry (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Another Planet Entertainment Presents Special Screening of Gus Van Sant’s “Milk” as Benefit for LGBT Asylum Project & Rainbow Honor Walk

Thursday, June 2, 8pm

19 May 2022 – San Francisco. Bay Area small business Another Planet Entertainment (www.apeconcerts.com) is kicking off Pride Month with a special presentation of the Academy Award winning Gus Van Sant film “Milk” on Thursday, June 2 at 8pm as a benefit for two local Castro based LGBTQ nonprofits: The LGBT Asylum Project (www.lgbtasylumproject.org) and the Rainbow Honor Walk (www.rainbowhonorwalk.org). Tickets are $ 25 general admission and $ 100 VIP which includes a pre-show reception and special concessions. Tickets may be purchased online at https://www.ticketweb.com/event/milk-the-castro-theatre-tickets/12130155

“The Castro Theatre is where ‘Milk’ had its premiere in 2008, so it’s absolutely the perfect place, and perfect film to kick off LGBT Pride Month,” said Mary Conde, Vice President for Another Planet who is in charge of the overall Castro Theatre Project. “More importantly, this screening will raise funds for, and awareness of, two esteemed local LGBTQ nonprofits based in the Castro, The LGBT Asylum Project and the Rainbow Honor Walk.”

“The Rainbow Honor Walk is so grateful for this,” said Rainbow Honor Walk board president Donna Sachet. “Long supportive of the LGBTQ communities and progressive causes, Another Planet has stepped forward to help the Rainbow Honor Walk keep alive its mission of educating about those queer heroines and heroes that have walked the walk for equality and justice.”

Just this week, the latest “class” of Rainbow Honor Walk honorees are being installed in the sidewalks of the Castro District, including film icons Divine and Vito Russo.

“The LGBT Asylum Project was founded to make sure that all LGBTQ+ asylum-seekers receive high-quality legal representation so they don’t have to go back to countries where they could be harmed or even killed for being who they are and who they love,” said Okan Sengun, founder and Executive Director of The LGBT Asylum Project. “We are proudly based out of the Castro because the Castro has always been a beacon of hope for the LGBTQ+ community and at the center of that beacon is the Castro Theater. We are thankful to Another Planet Entertainment for organizing this benefit and providing much needed funds at a time when hate is on the rise across the globe.”

The LGBT Asylum Project is the only San Francisco nonprofit organization exclusively dedicated to providing accessible legal representation for LGBT asylum seekers who are fleeing persecution due to their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or HIV status. 

Another Planet Entertainment is partnering with Bay Properties, Inc., owners of the Castro Theatre,  on an evolution and preservation of San Francisco’s world-renowned entertainment and LGBTQ community landmark. With a long-standing history of working to preserve and improve historic buildings such as the Fox Theater in Oakland, the Greek Theatre in Berkeley and the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, Another Planet seeks to enhance the Castro Theatre by implementing significant improvements to the sound, lighting, production, HVAC and the theatre’s trademark marquee, among other facets of the building: all of this, always, with an eye to honoring its unique place in the lives of the Castro and celebrating its communities and residents.

About The LGBT Asylum Project:

LGBT Asylum Project clients are low to no-income, and arrive in the United States with horrendous histories of imprisonment, bodily harm, torture, and psychological trauma. These atrocities are inflicted on them by their own governments, countrymen, and, worst of all, friends and families. They have committed no crime yet cannot live freely in their own countries due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Many have faced excruciating challenges to escape their home countries and travel to the United States. They come to San Francisco as it is known internationally as a refuge for the LGBTQ+ community. They come to the Castro District to find a sanctuary, a place where they can be safe, secure, healthy, and productive. This is where they find The LGBT Asylum Project. The LGBT Asylum Project sign, hanging clearly in the heart of the Castro, is a beacon of hope that means the possibility of remaining here permanently and receiving understanding, caring, and professional assistance to do so.

The LGBT Asylum Project works directly with clients and ensure that they receive the most suitable and appropriate services based on each case. Their clients originate from all over the world, from countries including but not limited to Algeria, Bahrain, Brazil, Burma, China, Colombia, Egypt, El Salvador, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Mexico, Mongolia, Nigeria, Peru, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Korea, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Venezuela, Vietnam, which are known for extreme and violent persecution of LGBT communities. Without such timely assistance, vulnerable individuals will potentially be deported to face persecution, imprisonment, and even death in their home countries.

The LGBT Asylum Project provides support to immigrants in the San Francisco Asylum Office jurisdiction (from Bakersfield, CA to Seattle, WA), who identify as LGBTQ+, and have been persecuted or have fears of future persecution if they return to their home country.

About the Rainbow Honor Walk:

When a volunteer committee of community members proposed the Rainbow Honor Walk, they received the unanimous support of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to create the sidewalk monument. Comprised of 3 foot x 3 foot bronze plaques embedded in the sidewalk, the Walk salutes the groundbreaking achievements of noted LGBT individuals throughout history. The first 20 honorees were announced in 2011. In 2012 the Rainbow Honor Walk board solicited design proposals from around the world.  An independent jury of artists and cultural leaders selected the winning design by architect Carlos Casuso of Madrid, Spain. The plaques were manufactured by Mussi Artworks of Berkeley, California with creative oversight of the process spearheaded by Lawrence Noble, head of the sculpture department at San Francisco’s Academy of Art University. 

The first 20 plaques were installed in September 2014 with an additional eight plaques added in 2017, 12 more in 2019 and 12 more just installed in May 2022. The Rainbow Honor Walk will eventually extend from the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy on 19th Street at Diamond down to Castro Street—the LGBT community’s “Main Street”—and will continue up Market Street with additional extensions on 18th Street. On Market Street, San Francisco’s main thoroughfare, the Walk will continue to the LGBT Center at Octavia Boulevard.  All funds for manufacture of the Rainbow Honor Walk are raised privately, with each plaque costing approximately $6000.