GLIDE is empowering an ever-growing number of people to move from crisis to stability and resiliency through coordinated care: case management, addressing multiple life domains, and mobile services.
We stand for the people because we believe in radical inclusion, truthtelling, and unconditional love.
Learn About GLIDE
Decades on the front lines of poverty have taught us that meeting basic needs is essential — but not enough. We are building on our almost 100-year legacy to create services that expand our reach, deepen impact, and drive systemic change in San Francisco and beyond.
Poverty and trauma create special challenges to our clients’ ability to engage in and benefit from services alone. Our case managers provide hands-on support to help our clients feel empowered to make their own decisions and to set and achieve their goals.
Our integrated services program model is designed to go beyond crisis to have a deeper impact and create long-term stability, changing the lives of those we serve for good.
We support the whole person across ten key areas of stability: community building, education and training, employment and income, essential life skills, family relations, food security, medical care, mental health, shelter and housing, and substance use support.
GLIDE coordinates with UCSF and the Department of Public Health to send teams of people (The Cecil Williams Community Ambassadors, Health Empowerment and Access Team) onto the streets to meet people where they are and offer medical care, substance use treatment, and transportation to services. Spiritual Care Navigators work through Glide Memorial Church to identify and assist people in need, especially elders and those with disabilities.
We work one-on-one with specific populations such as young adults (aged 18–27) experiencing homelessness through the Transitional Age Youth (TAY) Health and Wellness Center, and people trying to return home from San Francisco through the Journey Home program. The Shop provides free haircuts as a pathway to get more people with mental health and substance use challenges (especially Black men over 50) into case management.
GLIDE’s Women’s Center is a hub of healing, empowerment, and connection for women in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood. Grounded in trauma-informed care and cultural humility, it provides a safe, welcoming space where women can access comprehensive support to stabilize their lives and thrive.
Meet the team building that community — JeTon, Loria and Olivia — and hear what drew them to the work.
