In the heart of San Francisco’s infamous Tenderloin neighborhood, a woman named Tatiana Alabsi walks the streets every day, ensuring the safety of children as they make their way to and from school. Despite the crime and chaos that defines the area, Alabsi’s cheerful demeanor and dedication to the community shine through as she navigates through the broken streets filled with drug use and homelessness. With a vest that reads “Safe Passage” on her back, she calls out to those in need, embodying hope in a place where despair often reigns.
As one of the many adults who escort children to after-school programs at the Tenderloin Community Elementary School, Alabsi plays a crucial role in the lives of the neighborhood’s most vulnerable residents. The area, known for its high levels of addiction, mental illness, and homelessness, is also home to a large population of children from immigrant families. Despite the challenges they face, the community has come together to protect its youngest members and provide a sense of hope amidst the turmoil.
The efforts to improve the Tenderloin neighborhood have been met with resistance, as the San Francisco Police Department continues to seize large quantities of narcotics in the area. Despite promises to crack down on drugs and address the issues plaguing the neighborhood, progress has been slow. A group of mothers who were fed up with the drug dealers took matters into their own hands and started the Safe Passage program in 2008. Today, the program is part of the Tenderloin Community Benefit District, funded in part by property owners in the area.
Alabsi’s journey to becoming a safety steward in the Tenderloin began when she and her husband, both medical doctors, sought asylum in the United States. After moving to the neighborhood and witnessing the hardships faced by the children on their daily walks, she decided to volunteer with Safe Passage to make a difference. Despite facing resistance from some individuals on the streets, Alabsi remains committed to her mission of protecting the children and ensuring their safe passage to and from school.
The diversity of cultures in the Tenderloin, including Latin, Asian, Arab, and American, is what makes the neighborhood special to Alabsi. She sees the resilience and determination of the residents striving for a better life as a driving force behind the community’s strength. Through her work with Safe Passage and her involvement in community events, Alabsi believes that positive change is possible and that by setting a good example and maintaining a positive attitude, the neighborhood can continue to improve.
As Alabsi walks through the streets of the Tenderloin, she is reminded of the challenges that still exist, from the presence of homelessness to the struggles of addiction. Despite these hardships, she remains hopeful and determined to make a difference in the lives of the children and families in the neighborhood. Through her dedication and compassion, Alabsi embodies the spirit of hope in a place where optimism can sometimes be hard to find.
