A Love Supreme, the 3rd Annual GLIDE Legacy Gala is an evening to benefit GLIDE programs featuring the inspirational GLIDE Ensemble and Change Band along with Terrence Brewer Band and DJ KingMost with a hosted bar and hors d'oeuvres from some of San Francisco’s finest restaurants. The GLIDE Legacy Committee – a group of young social entrepreneurs – will recognize the outstanding contributions of three community leaders.

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Jeremy Affeldt will receive the GLIDE Community Hero Award for his deep commitment to underserved and marginalized communities and for inspiring a generation to lead a life that will empower others to seek their greatest potential. He shared, “I was shocked and humbled in being selected as the recipient of the Community Hero Award. It is an honor to be recognized by such great champions of hope, like Reverend Cecil Williams”

The Janice Mirikitani Legacy Award will be presented to award-winning filmmaker and activist Jennifer Siebel Newsom who shared,“I am honored to share their vision for a just and equitable world for our next generation of community leaders. Together we can transform our communities for the betterment of all." Through her films and foundation, Jennifer has empowered young girls and women to avoid the pitfalls and obstacles in our society in order to achieve true success.

A LOVE Supreme: Celebrating Love, Leadership and Community

The Cecil Williams Legacy Award will be presented to San Francisco 49er tight-end Vernon Davis for his unyielding dedication to helping underserved youth and families achieve better lives through art, education and health. “I am thrilled to be honored by GLIDE for my achievements and talents to help young people around the world overcome obstacles in order to reach their full potential,” said Vernon Davis. 49er CEO Jed York will accept the award on behalf of Vernon Davis.

In addition to the evening’s festivities, eBay Giving Works , the company's charity fundraising platform, will host the GLIDE Legacy Gala Auction of a variety of fabulous items. From a gorgeous PRS SE Santana Black Abraxas Guitar autographed personally by Mr. Carlos Santana to San Francisco Giants 2012 Season VIP experience for four, the online charity auction offers the ultimate music, food, wine, travel, sports items and lifestyle experiences from San Francisco to Las Vegas! The charity auction runs from July 18 to July 28. (Closing times of auction items vary. Please visit eBay.com/GLIDESF 100% of proceeds from the winning bids will benefit GLIDE. Tickets are available for sale at Eventbrite.

Family Resource Center: Focus on Literacy, Nutrition Wellness and Community Building

Family Youth and Childcare Center (FYCC) and Family Resource Center (FRC) spend the mellow summer months wisely by keeping kids and families engaged in meaningful activities. This summer, the FRC continues to work towards FYCC’s focus on literacy and nutrition by implementing a variety of programs to support family wellness throughout the year.

Several nutrition courses will be offered in Cantonese, Spanish, and English to help families make healthier food choices. Lucy Stelzner, Family Resource Center Coordinator, is also working hard this summer to link families with nutrition resources and is collaborating with the San Francisco Food Bank to connect families with the state’s CalFresh program. The FRC is also coordinating a literacy series and a Mommy/Daddy and Me series to help families with the transition from preschool to kindergarten at the end of the summer.

FYCC parents receive weekly schedules of their kid’s summer activities which include off-site field trips to farmer’s markets, Fire Stations, The San Francisco Zoo, and an indoor rock climbing adventure, just to name a few.

“My daughter, Sha-nell just returned from camp. She spent 6 days of fun - swimming, camping, and could not stop talking about a dance contest. I’m glad she is able to gain new experiences and enjoy herself. She’s getting older and it’s been a great opportunity for her to learn from older kids,” shares John Powell.

Lucy points out that learning and growth doesn’t end with the last school bell, “It’s important for the FRC to provide support to families through our literacy, wellness, and community building programming throughout the summer so that families stay active all year.”

Character Study:
Karly Railsback, GLIDE Wellness Center Yoga Teacher

How did you first come to GLIDE?
Since becoming a yogi, one of my missions has been to blend my passion for social justice and love of yoga. I teach yoga at a few non-profit organizations in San Francisco, one of which is the YMCA. When the opportunity to bring what I was doing with yoga at the YMCA to GLIDE came about, I was the first in line! I feel so strongly about presenting yoga as way to improve one's overall health and quality of life.

What is gentle yoga?
In the gentle yoga classes I teach at GLIDE the goal is rest, restore, and refresh. Gentle fluid movements are linked with breathing practices for students to simply feel their bodies. Then we transition into comfortable resting positions known as restorative poses. These poses require little to no effort and allow the body and mind to rest. When the body is relaxed, we move into deep relaxation and guided meditation that focus on letting go of mental tensions, stress, and anxiety. The goal of any yoga practice is to feel balanced. We have the capacity to be energized and awake yet maintain an overall sense of ease, relaxation and contentment. It just takes practice!

Why do you think yoga is important to the wellness of the GLIDE community?
Yoga is a great fit for the GLIDE community due to its DIY (do it yourself) nature. Yoga is a great way to take care of yourself. Yoga can be done in a class, at your home, on Muni, the sky is the limit! Good yoga practices teach people to listen to their body, witness the activity of the mind and connect to their heart and soul.

What is your hope for your students?
That they can use what we do in class in day-to-day life. Breathe during stressful situations. Listen to their bodies, listen to their hearts. Know when to move, and when to rest. And overall, to just be good to themselves.

Service Destination: GLIDE Attracts Volunteers from Around the Globe

Every year, GLIDE depends upon the help of thousands of volunteers to provide healing and supportive services to our community. Some volunteers spend a few hours a year with us, some spend several hours each week, yet all are vital to our success.

Our volunteers come from all walks of life, from every corner of the Bay Area, California, and beyond. This year, GLIDE has hosted volunteers from Boston, Indiana, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, and beyond. International groups from Italy, South Africa, and Japan have also come to serve the GLIDE community. Volunteer Resource Program Manager, Ben Lintschinger says, “People are really interested in GLIDE’s idea of unconditional love. Basic human rights are sometimes absent in certain communities, so people want to understand how we engage our values of love and acceptance.”

Many colleges and universities organize service opportunities for students during what they call Alternative Spring Break. Volunteer Program Manager, Ben says, “We’re seeing more and more service learning trips and Alternative Spring Break groups come through GLIDE and we think it’s great that they are using their vacation to contribute to and learn from our community.”

A youth group from The Vancouver First Methodist Church is slated to spend a week in service this summer at GLIDE. Group lead, Bruce Wilson, shares, “This is an opportunity for the youth group to really step outside of their comfort zone and open up to learning from the community.”

Bid for GOOD! Auction closes on 7/28.

From a gorgeous PRS SE Santana Black Abraxas Guitar autographed personally by Mr. Carlos Santana to a San Francisco Giants 2012 Season VIP experience for four, the online charity auction offers the ultimate music, food, wine, travel, sports items and lifestyle experiences from San Francisco to Las Vegas! Highlights include a Las Vegas Experience for Two ( 2 Virgin America airline vouchers and tickets to see Carlos Santana in concert at the House of Blues), a collectors’ item official Black Abraxas PRS concert electric guitar personally made for and signed by Carlos Santana. There are fewer than 200 of these specially made guitars, which have never been sold to the general public. Other items include a San Francisco Giants VIP Experience with four lower box seats and pregame, on-field encounter; and a San Francisco Urban Romance Experience with accommodations at Galleria Park Hotel, tickets to the SF Ballet and a couple’s spa treatment at Tru Spa. To place a bid or to see the full list of auction items, eBay.com/glidesf.

Raising Awareness for those living in Poverty

Join GLIDE on August 23, 2012 (7:15pm) for the San Francisco Giants vs. Atlanta Braves! For the 8th consecutive season, the SF Giants dedicate an evening to raise awareness and funds for those unfortunate citizens living in a life of poverty. Partnering with some of San Francisco's top organization's whose missions are in line with helping those in need, partial proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the community partners.Your package also includes a limited edition Bobblehead of JEREMY AFFELDT who is a longtime advocate for human rights and ending poverty. Buy your tickets today!