Leadership Letters

Letter from CEO

Dear Friends of Safe & Sound,

There is a mother I think about often. She came to Safe & Sound carrying more than most of us will ever know: a child with complex needs, uncertainty about the future, and a determination that humbled me. Through support, connection, and her own resilience, she built a stronger future for her family. Her story reminds me of what this work is really about.

This year's annual report theme, Stronger Futures, Built Together, reflects the heart of everything we do.

At Safe & Sound, we ask a simple but powerful question: How can we reach families earlier? How can we strengthen support systems before challenges become crises?

Our work is rooted in the belief that every family deserves the opportunity to thrive. By connecting parents and caregivers to resources, strengthening protective factors, and building community support, we help prevent the outcomes none of us want to see—child welfare involvement, homelessness, family violence, and abuse. Prevention is not a single program; it is the collective effort to create the conditions in which families can succeed.

That commitment extends beyond our direct services. Through policy and advocacy, we work to expand access to the supports families need—from early childhood education to affordable housing and economic stability. When these systems work, families are stronger and children are safer.

Family Resource Centers are a critical part of that infrastructure. Yet many are facing significant funding challenges. Investing in prevention is not only the right thing to do—it is also the most effective and cost-efficient way to support families before problems compound. Your partnership helps make that possible.

This work is grounded in a simple truth: we are all connected. The well-being of one child affects the well-being of our entire community. While San Francisco is our home and testing ground for innovation, the lessons we learn here inform policy and practice across California and beyond. Together, we are helping build a future where every child has the opportunity to grow up safe, supported, and connected.

None of this would be possible without the dedication of our staff, volunteers, the leadership of our Board of Directors, the courage of the families we serve, and the generosity of supporters like you.

Thank you for being part of this work. Thank you for helping build stronger futures—together.

Dr. Pegah Faed

CEO, Safe & Sound

Letter from Board

Dear friends,

As members of the Board of Directors, we are honored to serve an organization that believes every child deserves the opportunity to grow up safe, supported, and loved. We are equally honored to stand alongside a community of donors, volunteers, partners, advocates, and dedicated staff who make that vision possible.

In 2025, together with this community, we supported 11,754 children, parents, and caregivers across San Francisco. Behind every number is a family that found support, stability, and hope because our community chose to invest in prevention. Every milestone highlighted in this report reflects the collective commitment of people who believe that stronger families create stronger communities.

As a Board, our responsibility is to ensure that Safe & Sound remains a trusted, financially responsible, and forward-looking organization.

This year marked an important milestone as we adopted Safe & Sound's 2026–2029 Strategic Plan. Built on more than five decades of learning alongside families, the plan provides a clear roadmap for expanding prevention services, strengthening community partnerships, advancing research and advocacy, and measuring our impact in meaningful ways.

Our influence extends beyond the families we serve directly. In 2025, Safe & Sound helped advance community-centered policies that strengthen support for children and families, convened leaders, including city department heads, the Mayor of San Francisco, and members of the Board of Supervisors at the inaugural Children, Youth & Family Summit, and contributed nationally recognized research that continues to shape the field of child abuse prevention. These achievements reflect our commitment not only to meeting today's needs, but also to creating lasting systems change that helps families thrive.

At the same time, we recognize the challenges ahead. Family Resource Centers remain the backbone of prevention services throughout San Francisco and across California, yet many continue to face significant funding pressures. As a Board, we remain committed to championing prevention as one of the most effective, compassionate, and fiscally responsible investments a community can make. When families receive support early, children are safer, communities are stronger, and futures are brighter.

We are deeply grateful to the Safe & Sound staff whose expertise and compassion make this work possible every day. We thank our volunteers, community partners, public agency partners, advocates, and fellow Board members for their shared commitment to our mission. Most importantly, we thank the families who place their trust in us and inspire us with their resilience and determination. To each of you who has invested your time, expertise, voice, or financial support—thank you. Your partnership strengthens families, builds healthier communities, and creates opportunities for every child to grow safe, supported, and loved. Together, we are building stronger futures. With gratitude,

Katie Riester & Alisa (Williams) Carmichael

Board Co-Chairs

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