EXPERIENCED corporate and non-profit executive, professor and community advocate Filipino-American Nestor L. Fernandez II was no doubt, the perfect fit to be new Executive Director of Telegraph Hill (Tel-Hi) Neighborhood Center in San Francisco. He is also the first executive director of Asian (Filipino) ancestry.
Born in Quezon City, Philippines, Fernandez grew up Manila and moved to the United States with his family when he was only 5 years old. His parents hail from Binmaley, Pangasinan.
In 1974, his family moved to San Francisco in the Richmond District where he was enrolled at Roosevelt Junior High School. There, he was exposed to different cultures and background, allowing him to discover his heritage.
His passion for community work however started in 1982, when he was a sophomore at San Francisco State University. “I took an Asian American Studies class where I did a research project on the early ‘Manongs’ who came to the United States for work,” Fernandez shared. “I spent time interviewing and studying more about this group and became emotionally invested in their plight and the hardships they experienced.”
Fernandez’s first involvement with Tel-Hi was through his work with Western Athletic Clubs, Inc. (WAC), a $110 million-dollar company with a charitable mandate – meet annual charitable giving requirements and generate revenues for its non-profit owner, The Atlantic Philanthropies.
“Although we (WAC) operated as a for profit and were successful, the organization had the soul of a non-profit. I was encouraged to get involved in the community by giving time (volunteering) and monetary donations that were matched by my company. WAC was sold in 2008 to a private equity and I made my move to the non-profit world.”
He first became a volunteer at Tel-Hi in 2002. “I started out as a volunteer and slowly found myself 
drawn to their mission of ‘enriching the lives of people in their community,’” he said and added, “After several years as a volunteer, I was asked to join the board of directors where I served for approximately two years.” He then became interim executive director and, after a four-month search involving staff, supporters and community representatives, was unanimously chosen as Executive Director.
About Tel-Hi
Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center or Tel-Hi, is a community center that serves more than 600 low- and moderate-income children, families and seniors in San Francisco’s North Beach, Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhoods. A well-respected neighborhood center, it was founded in 1890 and has been in continuously operating ever since.
Tel-Hi provides a diverse environment and a variety of services including preschool, youth activities, after-school and summer programs, plus a daily hot lunch program and activities for seniors.
“I’m excited about the work that we do at Tel-Hi, and love getting involved with the community and working hands-on with people,” said Fernandez.
However, Fernandez admits that the current challenge he faces with Tel-Hi is funding. “Tel-Hi serves over 600 people a day and is need of funding in order to continue to do its work,” he shared and added, “We are always looking to get our message out to the public with the hopes that those who are in a more fortunate position will connect with our mission and help us either as a volunteer or with financial support.”
Studying to be a Deacon for the San Francisco Archdiocese (and God willing, be ordained in 2012), Fernandez feels that his work with Tel-Hi matches his vocation. He is also reaching out to the Fil-Am community about priorities and balance in life by living the Gospel. “Keep God and your family as your first priorities, and to work for a company whose mission is something you believe in and can get passionate about,” he shared and continued, “If you do that, I truly believe that everything else will fall in place.”
Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center is located at 660 Lombard Street, San Francisco, 94133. For more information on how you can help by volunteering or donations, log on to tel-hi.org or call (415) 421-6443.
*Special thanks to Brooke Sobel Schell.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(Northern California Feb 11-17, 2011 SomethingFilipino pg. 2)
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