This year, the
British-American Business Council (BABC)—who for more than 10 years has donated a significant proceed from the BABC Annual Christmas Luncheon to support Raphael House programs—implemented the BABC Raphael House Task Force. Led by BABC Board Member Simon Elliot, the task force is made up of BABC staff, individuals from member companies, and Raphael House staff.

The purpose of the task force is to deepen the relationship between the BABC and Raphael House to deliver life changing opportunities to families in need through networking, volunteering, pro bono services, and in-kind donations. Here are just some of ways in which our families are benefiting from this wonderful partnership:

Cyracom, a language translation company is providing over-the-phone translation services for Raphael House families.

Attorney Jill Rizzo, is assisting Raphael House residents in understanding employer and employee rights in the workplace and has also made herself available to talk with teens about careers in law.

BABC volunteers from various companies, including
LoopUp and 20/20 Productions, spent a day in March preparing bedrooms and common areas for new families on the recently expanded third floor of our residential shelter, and several volunteers have helped cook and serve dinner for Raphael House families.

BABC Raphael House Task force member Stephanie Favaloro-Elliot and BABC Board Member Doreen Davis-Owen help assemble furniture in our new third-floor playroom.

Executive Chef Andrew Court from the
Fairmont San Francisco has been working with our employment placement specialist Sophia Selassie in identifying job opportunities and internships for our residents at the Fairmont and facilitated a much-needed donation of tableware for our family dining room.

Nahum Goldberg of
Next Step Design has been volunteering his services as a professional kitchen designer to help Raphael House make its kitchen more functional and efficient.

Turner & Townsend Marketing Manager Tess Lenk has lent her expertise with communications to help raise awareness of Raphael House.

And Simon Elliot led a presentation and has been providing one-on-one coaching to residents on career opportunities at
Aramark. We are truly grateful for this ongoing support for our families from BABC!