On my first visit to the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation’s After School Program, I was struck by the bright eyes and energy of the children excited to go on a rock climbing trip.  This in spite of their circumstances.  TNDC provides affordable housing with free and voluntary on-site social services to impoverished people living in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco. The work they do is important, given 11.8% of San Franciscans live in poverty and there are more than 13,500 homeless people living in San Francisco. Furthermore, 7.4% of families live in poverty, and within the poor Tenderloin district, over 3,500 children have to navigate difficult streets to and from school and lack safe places to play outside.

Can you spot James?

So when TNDC asked me if I would be willing to take a dunk in the pool for their annual gala, I leapt at the opportunity.  It was the pool party of the year!  There was fabulous food, refreshing libations, wacky entertainment and a wet-and-wild celebrity auction pool toss benefiting TNDC’s programs for children and families in the Tenderloin.

I attended as the Ninja of Silicon Valley.  Bill Somerville and Radha Stern won the bidding to toss me in.  It was an honor to get wet for the children in the Tenderloin.  You can still help provide these kids with a safe place to study and play after school at: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/1420469.