Six years ago, SFHDC was graced when Rhonda Haley joined the SFHDC team as the Resident Service Coordinator for the Bayview Commons Apartments, a 30-unit rental property serving individuals and families of low income.  At Bayview Commons, Rhonda has worked to connect the residents with the services they need and establish ties within the broader neighborhood while working to build community within the building through programming and on-site events. In May alone, Rhonda has hosted events for Cinco de Mayo and Mothers’ Day, as well as led residents to a Day of Bowling at the Presidio, hosted by the Presidio Trust.

Gallery images include Rhonda Haley, The Bayview Commons’ newly remodeled courtyard, Bayview Commons exterior, SFSU nursing students providing a wellness check for residents.

When Rhonda saw the need for a better outdoor community space for the Bayview Commons residents, she approached Sameena Sitabkhan, Director of San Francisco’s Academy of Art University’s B.Lab about designing and building a new active community space for intergenerational play. It started with painting a courtyard fence. But not just any paint would do– with the active participation of Bayview Commons residents, the courtyard fence was transformed from a drab, functional necessity to a rainbow of joy that celebrated the residents and their neighborhood. Over the next 3 years, and undeterred by the pandemic, Rhonda and B.Lab, with continued input from the residents, metamorphosed the blank canvas of the courtyard into a true community gathering space. As a result, residents now have a safe outdoor space with a colorful playground for the kiddos and a town square that can function as a place to play chess and chat, play soccer, have a picnic, race a tricycle around the track, engage with one another, interact and just play.

In addition to her work with Bayview Commons, Rhonda continues to help others through her coordinating applications to the Season of Sharing Program.  Here, Rhonda connects residents from SFHDCl properties and the broader SF community to organizations that can help when people have challenges paying rent and/or utilities, and finding furniture for their homes. When asked about giving advice to those who want to follow a career path that serves the community, Rhonda responded, “The reward is in the act of improving my community. You can’t be judgemental. Be passionate and compassionate. Be transparent and genuine. Be open to the differences between us with genuine kindness. Understand the reason you are there, to help others.”