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WHAT IS THE TENDERLOIN? The Tenderloin is a 35-block section of San Francisco where over 10,000 homeless men, women and children live, making it 300 times more crowded than the rest of San Francisco. The name “tenderloin” comes from an earlier period in the history of this community because police officers were paid more to patrol these tougher streets, thus allowing them to buy better cuts of meat. Amidst all the nearby glitter of Union Square, the upscale buildings of Market Street, and the prominence of City Hall, the sights of the “loin” are far from attractive. It’s not unusual to see women and men caught up in prostitution, homeless persons, and strung-out crack dealers on most street corners. These scenes speak loudly of the depressing conditions of this historic community. San Francisco residents and tourists avoid this part of town. The sight of people living on the sidewalk, the porn shops and the blaring sound of police car sirens answering calls of violence and crime, all contribute to the unappealing image of this rough neighborhood. While the extent of homelessness, prostitution, drug/alcohol addictions, and crime is overwhelming, the Tenderloin has more to offer than just a headache for the San Francisco Police Department. One important asset of this community lies in the diversity that fills the residential hotels and temporary housing units. For example, many recent Vietnamese immigrants have settled in the area, setting up new businesses and working to revive the local community. There are 4000 children living in the Tenderloin mixing innocence with hardship. There are 38 non-profit organizations and 11 Performing Arts Theaters in this corner of San Francisco giving it a flavor of both philanthropy and artistic expression. The Tenderloin has become an intriguing fusion many different aspects of society, yet what it could become remains yet unseen. Within the human suffering in this area also lies great human potential.
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