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How We Began
In 1972, Dr. Francis J. Curry, Director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, opened a primary care clinic (North of Market Health Clinic) in San Francisco’s Tenderloin to help address the problem of isolation and premature mortality among the elderly in the district. Low-income, frail seniors were terrified to leave their apartments or residential hotel rooms to visit a doctor or even to buy groceries. Public Health nurses reported and Coroner findings confirmed that these isolated seniors died unattended from illnesses—some brought on by malnutrition—that were easily cured in their early stages if the patient was seen and treated. Our medical clinic provides essential services by physicians and nurses in the neighborhoods of these elders, as do the home visits made by health care staff. Realizing that medical care was only one element contributing to good health and quality of life, Dr. Curry created the partnership which is now Curry Senior Center to provide social services as well.
Who We Serve
The Tenderloin has always housed more low-income seniors than any other neighborhood in San Francisco. An estimated 13,000 adults over the age of 60 live in this area, 10% of them homeless. The majority of these seniors live alone, and many speak little or no English. Our 2,600 clients at Curry Senior Center include the same percentage of homeless as that of the overall area. Studies predict that our low-income senior population will continue to grow, at a faster rate than that of the general population.
Our Name
After 30 years as North of Market Senior Services, in spring 2003 we renamed the agency the Curry Senior Center, in honor of Dr. Francis J. Curry and his abiding wisdom and compassion.
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Main Office and
Primary Care Clinic
333 Turk Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 415.885.2274
TTY: 415.885.4861
(hearing impaired number)
Monday – Friday
9 am – 5 pm
Dr. Francis J. Curry
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