Dear BJM Community,

Serving the community of BJM has been one of the greatest joys of my life, and I do not say this lightly. When I started my time with BJM as an intern in 2010, I had no idea that the trajectory of my life was about to change. Quickly, I realized there was something special about what God was doing in San Francisco among women and girls, and like you, I knew I had to be part of it. From sitting across from a woman at Nail Day, to launching dance classes at The Well, to learning about parenting from the mothers in the neighborhood, my life has been enriched by the community here.

I’ve learned so much over this past decade. I’ve learned about the generosity of Christ through women experiencing homelessness giving Safeway gift cards to other women at Nail Day, as they literally gave everything they had to one another. I’ve learned about the kindness of Christ by experiencing the Tenderloin through the girls’ eyes and having them identify places of hope in our community. I’ve experienced the miraculous provision and healing power of Christ through the faith of the mothers in our community, who consistently rely on the grace of God day-to-day. I’ve learned about the power of creativity and unlocking the voices of women and girls, and the eternal impact that has in our city. I’ve witnessed the beauty of women and girls owning their God-given identities and stories while leading the next generation into restoration.

I have a greater awareness and fuller experience of God’s love through this community, and this is what BJM is and always has been about. We believe that our pathways and our bright futures are actually interwoven together. We believe that our personal flourishing is tied to the flourishing of women and girls in San Francisco. God has abundance for us all, and we need each other to move forward.

As we enter into this new season, thank you for your continued support of BJM. Thank you for your prayers, your time, your resources, and your shared belief that God is doing something powerful in and through women and girls. This is just the beginning. There are so many new things on the horizon that are about to be released, so keep your eyes ready with expectation.

You are personally invited to our upcoming fundraiser, New Horizons, on November 4th. Come and be part of our community, experience the joy and the hope, learn how to be involved, and partner with us as we, together, build pathways to brighter futures for women and girls in San Francisco.

With great hope and expectation,

Gabrielle Alzate
Executive Director,
Because Justice Matters

PS - I came to San Francisco 11 years ago this week as an intern. Check out some of my favorite photos from the last decade!