Castro Theatre Former Employee Fund
Donation protected
This Gofundme campaign originates from the former part-time front-of-house workers of the Castro Theatre. We made up more than half of the employees; we were the box office, concession stand, and customer service staff. Most of us have had to depend on the income/benefits of two or more jobs to get by.
Like all San Francisco entertainment and arts organizations, the Castro has "temporarily" shut down due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, we have seen little effort put towards safely reopening. Whether we will be back in action in 2021, and under what conditions, is anyone's guess. The owners' modest efforts (a month's or so worth of PPP payments) to keep us on payroll have come to an end. Some of us are unemployed and struggling to maintain our livelihoods.
Many of us filed for unemployment to make ends meet, and now are faced with significantly reduced or eliminated benefits. Without this income, some of us are unable to afford basic necessities such as rent, groceries, and doctor visits. This has caused heightened levels of anxiety and uncertainty as we scramble to find new jobs--at great risk to ourselves and our loved ones.
Movie theatres were a place to escape into another dimension with laughter, take part in thought-provoking narratives, and share tears with strangers. With these institutions closed, our community is culturally impoverished.
Right now, we are asking our community of Castro locals and lovers of film and art deco architecture to reach into their pockets and help us sustain our livelihood. The Castro Theatre floor staff has worked tirelessly to provide a space for film lovers of all kinds for decades and now we need a little help from you all.
Our goal is to generate one pay period (two weeks' worth of payroll) for each member of the theater's floor staff. This comes to about $8000.
As some of us face straits less dire than others', those of us who can have elected to redistribute some or all of their share of funds to other organizations with whom they share a sense of solidarity:
20 Tiny Homes for Trans Women
GLITS
Black Trans Homeless Women Fund
Trans Women of Color Survival Fund
Film on Film Foundation
Essie Justice Group
The Transgender District
The Innocence Project
Black Earth Farms
Receipts will be posted after funds have been donated.
We would also love for the public to reach out to the owners to express their appreciation for the theatre and its staff, and to encourage its return, while emphasizing the need to take appropriate measures for the safety of all.
Like all San Francisco entertainment and arts organizations, the Castro has "temporarily" shut down due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, we have seen little effort put towards safely reopening. Whether we will be back in action in 2021, and under what conditions, is anyone's guess. The owners' modest efforts (a month's or so worth of PPP payments) to keep us on payroll have come to an end. Some of us are unemployed and struggling to maintain our livelihoods.
Many of us filed for unemployment to make ends meet, and now are faced with significantly reduced or eliminated benefits. Without this income, some of us are unable to afford basic necessities such as rent, groceries, and doctor visits. This has caused heightened levels of anxiety and uncertainty as we scramble to find new jobs--at great risk to ourselves and our loved ones.
Movie theatres were a place to escape into another dimension with laughter, take part in thought-provoking narratives, and share tears with strangers. With these institutions closed, our community is culturally impoverished.
Right now, we are asking our community of Castro locals and lovers of film and art deco architecture to reach into their pockets and help us sustain our livelihood. The Castro Theatre floor staff has worked tirelessly to provide a space for film lovers of all kinds for decades and now we need a little help from you all.
Our goal is to generate one pay period (two weeks' worth of payroll) for each member of the theater's floor staff. This comes to about $8000.
As some of us face straits less dire than others', those of us who can have elected to redistribute some or all of their share of funds to other organizations with whom they share a sense of solidarity:
20 Tiny Homes for Trans Women
GLITS
Black Trans Homeless Women Fund
Trans Women of Color Survival Fund
Film on Film Foundation
Essie Justice Group
The Transgender District
The Innocence Project
Black Earth Farms
Receipts will be posted after funds have been donated.
We would also love for the public to reach out to the owners to express their appreciation for the theatre and its staff, and to encourage its return, while emphasizing the need to take appropriate measures for the safety of all.
Organizer
Isa Spicer
Organizer
San Francisco, CA
