Filipino American Development Foundation (FADF) Records, 1983-2017, bulk 1995-2010

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Creators:
Filipino American Development Foundation
Abstract:
The Filipino American Development Foundation (FADF) seeks to support the Filipino community, prioritizing low-income Filipino immigrants and longtime residents of San Francisco's South of Market (SOMA) neighborhood. The foundation developed the Bayanihan Community Center (BCC), and master leases BCC from TODCO, the current owner and manager of 1010 Mission Street. The collection includes materials relating to the SOMA Filipino community and Filipino activism, redevelopment of 1010 Mission Street, fundraising and grant materials, and publications. Media types include papers, floppy disks and photographs.
Extent:
5 cartons, 1 small pamphlet box (5.25 Cubic Feet)
Language:
Collection materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Filipino American Development Foundation Records (SFH 705), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection includes administrative papers for FADF, Bayanihan Community Center and some of their core centers and programs. The collection strengths are materials relating to the SOMA Filipino community and Filipino activism, found in series 1 and 2. Materials found in Series 3: Planning and Construction, relate to redevelopment of the SRO and offices at 1010 Mission Street, as well as materials from the planning phases of FADF and BCC's formation (including both their social role and the physical building). Series 4: Fundraising and grants includes both fundraising events and grant application materials. Series 5: Publications includes newspapers and magazines representing the Filipino community, and programs and flyers for events attended by the donor. The collection contains papers, floppy disks and photographs.

Biographical / historical:

The Filipino American Development Foundation (FADF) is a nonprofit which aims to strengthen the social, physical, and economic wellbeing of the Filipino American and South of Market communities, focusing on underserved members of said communities. Founded by Mario Borja, M.D. (1997) with a vision to provide an inclusive space for Filipino immigrants, FADF brings together services to enhance the economic, health, legal, educational and cultural needs of the community.

FADF's roots began when Dr. Borja purchased the Delta Hotel (1976) located at 1010 Mission Street in San Francisco's South of Market (SOMA) neighborhood, a community with a dense Filipino population. In 1993, he began providing low-cost housing to Filipino WWII veterans; however, fire heavily damaged the building (1997) leaving Borja unable to provide housing for the veterans. Borja sold the building to the Tenant and Owners Development Corporation (TODCO), a nonprofit housing developer of SOMA single room occupancy hotels (SROs). TODCO contracted with Borja to develop affordable housing for the fire victims, rename the housing Bayanihan House, and commit to a $1 per year lease (expired 2020) allowing the Bayanihan Community Center (BCC) to establish itself.

The BCC (opened 2005), previously named Veterans Equity Center (VEC), provides community services and space to neighborhood families and organizations. FADF developed the BCC and master leases the ground floor and lower level for the BCC from TODCO. Originally focused on serving Filipino WWII veterans, the BCC has expanded their services to include the larger senior Filipino population.

FADF provides fiscal and administrative support to other budding nonprofit agencies who serve San Francisco's most vulnerable Filipino Americans. Supporting services include housing and employment, guarding against domestic violence, sponsoring Filipino language and history education, and supporting immigrant youth up to age 24. They also provide culturally acute mental health services, community workers, and career development for educators.

Nonprofit organizations supported by FADF include Filipino Community Center (FCC), Pinoy Pinay Educational Partnerships (PEP), and the South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN). Starting in 2016, FADF began working with the SOMA Filipino community to establish SOMA Pilipinas Filipino Cultural Heritage District (established 2018). FADF also manages Galing Bata After School program, and the Filipino Mental Health Initiative, San Francisco (FMHI-SF).

Organizations that partner with BCC and FADF include KULARTS and Bindlestiff Studio. KULARTS art group is a community partner with FADF and tenant of BCC. Bindlestiff Studio performs Filipino American theater working closely with FADF, with FADF providing Bindlestiff and other artists rehearsal space at BCC.

To avoid confusion and competition for funding, the Three Filipino Centers Collaborative (TFCC) was established circa 2000. The TFCC includes Manilatown Center, San Francisco Filipino Cultural Center (SFFCC), and the BCC. Combining under one moniker allowed the centers to share resources and combine marketing efforts. The shared name also avoided confusion for outsiders witnessing the creation of multiple centers led by three discrete Filipino organizations. Additionally, establishing the TFCC allows foundations such as Haas Jr., Fund and San Francisco Foundation to provide funding to the TFCC, rather than choosing between each center.

FADF's ethos always begins with the community, demonstrated by their sponsorship of the Parol Lantern Festival, an iconic Filipino holiday celebration. Celebrating the parol in SOMA since the early 2000s, the festival is a unifying and community building tool. The parol builds value and pride for the Filipino immigrant community, aligning the festival with FADF's values.

The FADF's ultimate goal is civic engagement. FADF strives to protect and continues to support the community through various programs and initiatives.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Bernadette Sy of FADF in 2019. Accession number 2019-68.
Processing information:

During processing, the entire collection was re-foldered in acid-free folders and boxes. Some metal staples remain.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in 5 series: Series 1: Bayanihan Community Center Organizations, Series 2: South of Market Filipino Community, Series 3: Planning and Construction, Series 4: Fundraising and Grants, Series 5: Publications.

Physical location:
Open for research. The collection is offsite and advance notice is required for retrieval. Material must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research and available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Photographs are available during Photo Desk hours. This collection must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Filipino American Development Foundation Records (SFH 705), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
Website