Felton’s success is measured in the countless lives transformed through our growing programs and services, delivered compassionately.
“Assisting those we serve achieve healthier more resilient lives is the best measure of Felton’s success in 2024.”
Embracing a community-led approach, we understand the value of partnerships that inspire and lead to successful outcomes; from grassroots pioneers to government agencies putting individuals and families first, we are dedicated in joining our partners and communities in upholding the sustainability and dignity of all we serve.
This year was marked by rapid expansion of programs across ten counties. The breadth of our programs and services encompasses a multitude of support that includes programs making communities safer, providing a lifeline to those struggling with mental health issues, to providing a pathway for intergenerational educational success, and more. Felton leads with intention, instilling hope into the communities we serve.
From 2023 to 2024, we served 82,132 clients across 64 behavioral health and social services programs.
This total includes 58,099 rapid encounters through our Angelo Quinto Community Response Team (AQCRT), Integrated Health and Resource Team (IHART), and San Francisco Suicide Prevention (SFSP) Hotline programs.
Leading with compassion and care, our life-changing services respond to the needs of individuals and families. Our programs encompass a diversity of clients, reaching across ethnic, economic, cultural, and linguistic demographics.
Below are key demographic highlights of clients served through our behavioral health and social service programs:
%
Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups
%
identify as Female
%
Identify as Male
%
Nonbinary, Gender Non-Conforming, Gender-Neutral & Transgender
This overview is based solely on programs that collected and reported client demographic data through surveys and intake records.
Programming Highlights
Accredited Courses, Training, and Internship Opportunities
Education and training are foundational to the quality of services Felton provides. In addition to providing staff training in numerous behavioral health services, Felton offers accreditation courses to members of the public seeking to further their capacity in the areas of peer service provision, with our Certified Peer curriculum and program. Partnering with government and other nonprofits, Felton provided workforce training and stipends that facilitated hands-on learning opportunities for older adults transitioning back into the workforce via our Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).
Internally, four Felton employees were the second cohort to graduate from the Felton Leadership Development and Retention Program, having completed a three-year rotation in various Felton departments. We are proud to contribute to advancing the field and strengthening community through the educational quality-of-care demonstrations above.
San Francisco Suicide Prevention and Golden Gate Netting Ceremony
In January 2024, the Golden Gate Bridge Board of Directors installed safety netting under the iconic San Francisco bridge to save lives. Ever committed to suicide prevention, Felton Institute honors this historic step in preserving life by continuing our mission to support and empower individuals and their families impacted by suicide attempts and suicide loss. Eve Meyer, former executive director of San Francisco Suicide Prevention (which merged with Felton Institute in 2019), spent decades advocating for the safety net.
The safety netting “is a beautiful testament to the determination of the survivors, the collaboration across multiple organizations and the government doing great work for the people.”
SFSP and 988: Saving Lives Together
Felton’s San Francisco Suicide Prevention (SFSP) program was honored to host the 988 Network Region 9 Convening. SFSP joined agencies from California, Arizona, and Nevada, with a unified mission of saving lives. SFSP’s 24/7 suicide prevention hotline and mental health services help those in crisis.
Each year, SFSP staff and volunteers answer 61,000 calls on their Suicide Prevention hotline, successfully de-escalating 91% of high-risk callers.
“We’re super excited about the transition to 988. We have over 200 crisis centers now which SFSP is one of those 200 centers. It takes a community approach to make a national network of change.”
“It helps to start to break down barriers and get people to work together effectively, so we can serve people in crisis, now and in the future.”
ECE REACH Celebrates Annual Graduation
Felton Institute’s Early Care and Education, Realizing Employment and Creating Hope (ECE REACH) program, honored its first and second cohorts with a graduation ceremony that recognized and uplifted their success. “You all are changing the narrative for yourselves, for your families, and for the communities that we’re serving,” said Felton COO Dr. Yohana I. Quiróz to the graduates. “You’re becoming the next generation of leaders in the ECE space and you’re doing it with grit, grace, and determination.”
Designed to empower first-generation, non-traditional college and immigrant apprentices through an Early Childhood Education (ECE) workforce development pipeline, this groundbreaking initiative provides comprehensive support services tailored to meet the unique needs of this workforce. In partnership with EDvance College, ECE REACH uplifts participants providing them with opportunities for career advancement.
“We have a commitment to supporting dual language learners in the classroom. Everything we do is in collaboration and alignment with Felton Institute and the ECE REACH program.”
Bayview’s Life-Changing Impact on the Unhoused
Felton Institute’s Bayview Drop-In Center (BDC) supports San Francisco’s unhoused population by providing essential services that promote dignity, safety, and well-being. Bayview programs provide a safe and welcoming space where community members can access basic needs, empowering them to take steps toward stability and self-sufficiency. The Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) hand-picked Felton Institute to take over some of their programming. The Drop-In Center provides access to showers, laundry, meals, and lockers.
Between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024, all Bayview multipurpose drop-in services combined, provided 116,964 independent services for clients to improve their quality of life. The center provided food security through their meal program by serving 14,161 more meals in the last year, compared to 2022. Felton Institute’s Bayview Drop-In Center staff were presented with a recognition award for outstanding service by Supervisor Shamann Walton at a San Francisco Board of Supervisors meeting.
“I want to thank Felton Institute President and CEO Al Gilbert and everyone at Felton who works with these programs. Felton has come in and really strengthened some of our sites. They came in and worked at Pier 94, which was a shelter-in-place RV park that we had. They helped us transition people to other places. They also have helped with hotels, clients, and with the drop-in center in Bayview to ensure that people have a place to go.”
AQCRT Provides Community Engagement
The Angelo Quinto Community Response Team (AQCRT) provides a 24/7 community response to low-level, non-life-threatening 911 calls. In collaboration with the City of Antioch, the Antioch Police Department, and local community-based organizations, such as the successful partnership with Contra Costa Family Justice Center, trained staff provide community members with mental health support, service linkage, and lifesaving skills.
AQCRT celebrated its one-year anniversary with former Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe praising the program’s success in providing a non-police response to community challenges that identify and provide real-time solutions.
“This has been a godsend because this has helped alleviate the police department for certain 911 calls. The fact that we can take 500 calls off the police’s shoulders is a success to me.”
“I’m grateful for Curtis and Al showing up. It was showing up that led to this partnership.”
Felton’s Enduring Partnership with the San Francisco Department of Public Health
Felton’s behavioral health programs provide a lifeline to those experiencing mental health issues, substance use challenges, and co-occurring disorders. Felton’s partnership with the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) provides imperative solutions to individuals and the community.
“Felton is a partner in the work that we’re doing together across the city to address behavioral health services. Felton’s programs and partnership with SFDPH continues to grow as we introduce emerging programs that provide support for those experiencing opioid substance abuse disorders, and more.”
Our Financial Statements:
2024 Single Audit Reports (PDF 217KB)
2024 Audited Financial Statements (PDF 226KB)
Felton Institute Form 990 (PDF, 1MB)
IRS Determination Letter (PDF, 617KB)
Felton Institute responds to the needs of our community by providing innovative, evidence-informed social services to transform lives. Our organization offers 50+ programs that address mental health, the unhoused, early care and education, those impacted by the justice system, transitional age youth, as well as aging adults. Our award-winning programs, which have been recognized as national models, combine the latest scientific research with cultural sensitivity and a deep commitment to supporting and reflecting the communities we serve.
Founded in 1889, Felton is the oldest secular non-profit social services provider in the City and County of San Francisco. We have expanded our services across most Bay Area counties and continue to be at the forefront of pioneering new approaches to meet the emerging needs of underserved populations.
We know what it looks like to successfully build community.
We foster impactful change by strengthening the community as a premiere service provider. We also strengthen other service providers by supporting them in their fiscal, human resources, communications, IT and overall agency operations. With Felton’s support, they are able to focus on providing the best services to their clients, doing the work they were meant to do.
Felton empowers the community and ensures successful outcomes to all we engage with.
Felton Institute is a tax-exempt organization registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit under EIN 94-1156530.