Filipino Community Center urges San Francisco to restore $159,000 funding for life program

The San Francisco County government meeting on July 4, 2025, highlighted urgent funding needs for the Filipino Community Center (FCC), which provides essential services to the city's Filipino population. Christina Salante, the workers' rights program coordinator at FCC, expressed deep concern over a $159,000 funding cut to the FCC's "To Life" program, which offers critical information, referral, and case management services. This program has been vital for over 120 immigrant Filipino community members, particularly seniors who have faced significant hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Salante emphasized that the funding is crucial for continuing support for vulnerable populations, especially as emergency relief measures expire. The FCC has played a pivotal role in assisting community members with housing, food resources, and economic relief, and the need for these services has intensified as the city recovers from the pandemic.

Several speakers from the FCC echoed Salante's sentiments, stressing the importance of fully restoring the funding to ensure that the center can continue its work. They highlighted the FCC's role in bridging gaps for those who are often disconnected from essential services, particularly undocumented individuals and those facing unemployment.

Terry Valen, the director of the FCC, noted that the center had previously applied for full funding but received only partial support. He urged the city to prioritize funding for the FCC's programs, which are culturally competent and tailored to the needs of the community.

The meeting underscored the critical need for continued support for the FCC as San Francisco navigates its recovery from the pandemic, with calls for the city to restore the funding to ensure that vulnerable communities receive the assistance they need.