Excelsior, Ingleside, and Lakeview neighbors cultivating a healthier, safer community for all.

Advocates 11 (formerly Ingleside Senior Safety Advocates) started in March of 2021. Our goal was to hit the streets of San Francisco and hand out safety packs to people who needed them; vulnerable members of society who were being subjected to a new wave of constant violent attacks.

Simon and Cassie, the group’s founders, bought a couple of hundred whistles, masks, gloves, and cookies. In addition, they were able to get their hands on a newly released SFPD anonymous tip-line card. These items together became the safety packs that would make their way into the hands of over 1,500 residents of the Ingleside and Excelsior areas.  

With a simple media post and word of mouth, the group was able to assemble 30 volunteers to their fist event. The group was as diverse as the neighborhoods the citizens represented; young men, old women, black, white, Asian, a hiker, a teacher, a two-week cancer survivor. This coalition entered the community and were greeted with open arms. Strangers cared for strangers.

Over the next few months Simon, Cassie, and a small but earnest volunteer base would continue their efforts, expand into other areas, and become involved with the community in many other ways. From clean-ups and meetings to murals and rallies, the group would lend their help wherever they could.

Now, Covid is in its decline. People are returning to the public sphere en masse. Violence and hate continue to spread through the city unchecked. Advocates 11 can’t do it all, but they can do their part. 

The safety packs are now simply a whistle and a tip card. The tip line card now expanded to 9 languages. The mission will change but the objective is clear: San Francisco must be a city of safety and a city for all.