SOMCAN - South of Market Community Action Network

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Creating a solid foundation of community amidst an ever-transforming city and neighborhood.

Dear Family, Community and Allies,

After an extensive 7-month search, SOMCAN is proud to announce the appointment of Angelica Cabande as Organizational Director of the South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN). For over 8 years, Angelica has been dedicated to promoting and defending the rights and welfare of immigrants and people of color (locally and internationally) through leadership development, organizing, arts, and advocacy.

In February of this year, April Veneracion, SOMCAN’s Organizational Director for four years, transitioned to work as Legislative Aide in San Francisco Supervisor Chris Daly’s office.  April has stepped up to be a member of SOMCAN’s governing board. The organization is very grateful to have April’s continued support and leadership in this new capacity within the organization.

During the interim, Community Planning Director, Chris Durazo, served as the Acting Director and has done an amazing job with sustaining the organization during the transition. During this time SOMCAN:

- brought into new foundation support during a period when institutional giving is diminishing
- undertook a new campaign to preserve the community’s use of the SOMA Recreation Center
- began new efforts to raise revenue through grassroots fundraising.

We are extremely grateful for Chris’ leadership and dedication to the success of our organization.

SOMCAN is immensely gratified to now have Angelica step into the role that was so capably held by April and Chris.  Angelica brings the passion and skills needed to oversee the organization as well as the long-term vision to move SOMCAN forward in its commitment of achieving social justice and equity with the leaders and residents of SoMa.

Angelica and her family migrated to the US when she was 8 years old in 1988 where they landed in the foggy streets of Daly City, CA. She went to Pollicita Middle School and Jefferson High School and moved to San Francisco in 1994.  In 2001, she joined the Filipino community in the fight for justice for San Francisco airport screeners. During this grassroots campaign, Angelica met Filipino World War II veterans and was motivated to join the organizing and advocacy efforts of Student Action for Veterans Equity (SAVE) Coalition in 2003.

Later, she became very active with the Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (CHRP) where she educated, organized and mobilized concerned citizens on human rights issues of the Filipino people in the Philippines.  A key event in Angelica’s development revolved around did an exposure trip with CHRP to the Philippines in April of 2004. In her trip, Angelica worked alongside numerous people’s organizations including AnakBayan (focusing on students), Karapatan Migrante (oversea workers), Karapatan (human rights), and Cordillera People’s Alliance (indigenous peoples). She also stayed with and learned from different people in urban poor communities.
With these experience and knowledge, Angelica realized that organizing was truly a lifetime calling for her.

Angelica joined SOMCAN in 2004 as the Community Organizer for various campaigns including Trinity Plaza, Bessie Carmichael, Budget Equity and other SOMCAN efforts to combat inequitable development. As SOMCAN continued to grow with new staffing and successes with the SoMa community, Angelica’s organizing skills also grew.   Her savvy, grit, and commitment were apparent, and she eventually assumed into the position of Director of Organizing.

SOMCAN is proud to see that Angelica has continued to evolve in her leadership within the organization, and I personally am thrilled to be part of Angelica on this journey.

Please join me in greeting Angelica into her new role as SOMCAN’s Organizational Director!

Sincerely,

Christopher Punongbayan
SOMCAN Coordinating Committee chair

 

The South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood, located next to San Francisco's downtown and financial districts as well as the waterfront and Mission District, has witnessed extensive changes and developments throughout its history. The SoMa area is not typically thought of as a residential neighborhood, despite being home to many of San Francisco's low-income and immigrant workers since the late 1840's.

Recognizing its strength in community organizing and education, SOMCAN continues to serve the various communities of SoMa. From the hallways of the Trinity Plaza Apartments to the classrooms of Bessie Carmichael Elementary School, the SoMa neighborhood reflects the diversity of San Francisco, and SOMCAN remains an instrumental part of giving diverse individuals a collective voice. While residents remain challenged by gentrification, displacement and development, SOMCAN provides the education, leadership development and community organizing support to help them engage actively in the changing the debate.