RAMS Starts Construction on New Building for Mental Health & Wellness Services
SAN FRANCISCO – On October 10th, 2024, Assemblymember Phil Ting, Supervisor Connie Chan, Richmond Area Multi- Services, Inc. (RAMS) Chief Executive Officer, Angela Tang broke ground on a new RAMS facility on Clement Street. This new space was funded through the advocacy of Supervisor Connie Chan and Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco). In response to the lack of investment in and growing hate toward the Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, Assemblymember Phil Ting advocated for increased resources for those affected, including reaching out to local partners like Supervisor Chan to identify projects and organizations to benefit from investment by the State. RAMS, a vital non-profit mental health provider, offering in-language services to monolingual residents was identified by Supervisor Chan and supported by Assemblymember Ting for $6.5 million in state funding in the 2022-23 budget year, allowing for RAMS to purchase and modernize a building for their culturally competent programs.
“The pandemic showed us there’s a lack of resources available to AAPI communities, especially mental health services. I fought to change that, delivering state investments to partner organizations throughout the state, including RAMS. This new facility will enable them to meet the increasing demand for culturally competent wellness programs and care. Once the building is complete, generations of local residents will benefit,” said Assemblymember Ting.
“The Richmond Area Multi-Services Inc. (RAMS) provides critical support to our most vulnerable community, creating access to cultural and linguistically appropriate mental health and wellness services especially for AAPI Seniors, many of whom are monolingual,” said Supervisor Connie Chan. “I am so excited to be here today, on World Mental Health Day, to break ground on RAMS’ new home on Clement street. RAMS joins with our other amazing community service providers to further our vision for whole person care; creating a hub of services to support mental health, youth and senior programming, public health, and supportive housing.”
This new building will house RAMS’ outpatient counseling services, wellness centers program, and the training institute, which includes the highly acclaimed National Asian American Psychology Training Center for doctoral internships in clinical psychology. RAMS has been providing these services at its original rental location on Balboa Street for the past 50 years.
“With the purchase of this new building, RAMS solidifies our anchor in the Richmond district to continue to provide cultural congruent mental health services to the City’s most vulnerable populations. We are thankful to the State of California, Assemblymember Ting and Supervisor Chan for prioritizing the mental health needs of our children, youth and adults and their families,” said Angela Tang, RAMS Chief Executive Officer.
Founded in San Francisco’s Richmond district in 1974, RAMS provides and advocates for mental health and wellness services that are centered in clients, community and culture, with expertise in serving Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. The agency has supported those who have the least resources and opportunities to achieve their highest potential. RAMS does this by providing integrated services that include counseling, job training, capacity building for partner organizations and advanced training of mental health professionals. RAMS operates 11 core programs throughout San Francisco and Hayward. Last year, the agency served 12,500 local clients and reached over 20,000 with prevention and health education services in more than 30 languages.
The Clement Street location is expected to open in late Spring 2025. View or download pdf version of the press release.
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