Helpers Community: 2026 Spring Newsletter

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Happy Spring!! 

Wishing all Moms a Happy Mothers Day! 

Helpers thanks you for your continued support and generosity which is providing impact to the community with the expansion of the 2025 Grant Program coming to Life and the Helpers Artisan Boutique’s (HAB’s) ability to participate in Community Pop ups and Events. By doing so enabling artists’ art featured at HAB to become accessible to different audiences, expanding their creativity and self-sufficiency.

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Grant Program Update

This first quarter Helpers visited two additional Grant recipients and saw firsthand the impact of breakthrough grants to Sweet Water Spectrum, Sonoma, Ca and Pony Express, Santa Rosa, CA.

At Sweet Water Spectrum, a new HVAC system is in the process of being installed for the homes with 3 nearly completed.  The system is able to control water and air in three different locations in the homes enabling balanced air flow.

At Pony Express, an Equine Therapy facility, a new tractor has provided unprecedented efficiency and help for the animals and the grounds, improving the maintenance and daily feeding of horses, and enhancing experiences for riders.

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2026 Grant Deadlines

For those applying for grants this year, please note the following deadlines:

Letters of Intent (LOIs)– June 30, 2026 Deadline approaching

Full Proposals – August 30, 2026 To be submitted only upon request of Helpers’ Executive Director

Final Approvals – September 30, 2026 Notification provided to approved Grant recipients

More to come in the next few months with our real-life impacts to “partner” organizations.

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First Quarter Update

Helpers Artisan Boutique

At Helpers Artisan Boutique (HAB) we have successfully and inclusively participated in several incredible events and pop-ups that highlighted the artists’ art featured at HAB and enhanced accessibility to their work.

We participated in the Spring Renegade Craft Fair at Fort Mason, SF for the first time, with over 200 vendors and artists. The largest Craft Fair we have been involved in to date.

The San Francisco Botanical Garden Spring Market in SF Golden Gate Park 🪷🌁 and Local Small Maker’s Event was lovely and successful as we sold event-curated items like the new hanging wall vases we received from One Step Beyond. Our collaboration with One Step Beyond’s Fine Arts Facilitator, Kristy Bullock, has been a joy. HAB customers can’t wait to see new glazes and art.

The Start Up Art Fair at SF’s Hotel Del Sol was a hit, for Helpers Artisan Boutique and all who attended. This fun, immersive, and widely attended art fair transforms hotel rooms into galleries where artists, collectors, and the community come together and connect. It was truly a magnificent event and an honor to be included as one of 5 nonprofit partners for our second year in a row attending!

The Saratoga Rotary Club Art Show selected Helpers Artisan Boutique to participate once again. Held at The West Valley Community College, we enjoyed our third year in a row in this juried art event.

We wrapped up a busy month of pop-ups with a great event at City Hall. Hosted as part of SF Small Business Week, SF Shop Dine Pop- Up Shop was a day filled with wonderful, local vendors at our city’s civic center. Mayor Daniel Lurie even stopped by our table, recognizing our Store Operations Manager Christipher from past years.

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Keep an eye out for our upcoming Pop-ups!

The Union Street Festival on June 6 – 7 from 11AM – 7PM.

SAVE THE DATE June 26… Cedars and Helpers have a surprise coming soon! A very special exhibition June 26 – August 28 and an opening evening event on June 26 at Cedars Artist Within, A Cedars Gallery.

More to follow!!

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Celebrating Teddy Kramer and NEON!

We would like to recognize Teddy Kramer for his generosity, friendship, and support of Helpers over the years. Teddy is the founder of NEON, a community workspace and event venue on Union St that has been home to our annual Meet the Artists events, as well as many other meetings along the way.

A passionate advocate for the community and Union St, Teddy will be moving on. As a recent dad, he will be focusing on family and another professional endeavor.

So we celebrate all NEON has contributed to the neighborhood and community! BIG THANK YOU and HUGS, Teddy! 🎉💙