Ritter Center

Join us for Women’s Health Day at Ritter Center! 💗

This special event honors women and creates a space where every woman feels celebrated, supported, empowered, cared for, and seen.

We’re proud to offer free health services, self-care, resources, and connection to low-income and uninsured women in our community. It’s about more than health care—it’s about dignity, joy, connection, and compassionate care.

💕 FREE lunch, clothing, facials, manicures, haircuts, personal care items, health screenings, Medi-Cal benefits assistance & more!

📅 Friday, October 23
⏰ 9 AM–4 PM
📍 Ritter Center
800 A St.
San Rafael, CA

Free mammograms will be provided at the MarinHealth Breast Center, with transportation provided by Ritter Center. Appointments are limited— call (415) 457-8182 ext. 111 to schedule.

Faces of Ritter 💙

We asked Abby, our Behavioral Health Clinical Coordinator, what she wishes more people knew about Ritter Center.

Her answer:

“I wish more people knew that Ritter Center changes lives in ways that aren’t visible. We see people beyond their circumstances, their struggles, or the challenges they’re facing. We see the person underneath it all. We listen, we support, we walk alongside people when they feel no one else is in their corner. Ritter Center reminds people that their lives have value, their story matters, and there is always a reason to keep moving forward.”

Thank you, Abby, for putting into words what the heart of this work is all about. 💙

At Ritter Center, providing compassionate, effective care means continually investing in the people who provide it.

Our team recently came together for an All-Staff training with internationally recognized violence prevention and crisis resolution expert and author Ian Brennan. For more than 30 years, Ian has trained organizations around the world in violence prevention, anger management, conflict resolution, and de-escalation. He is also the author of ten books, including his latest, Peace by Peace: 99 Steps Toward Violence Prevention and De-escalation.

Together, we explored practical strategies for de-escalating tense situations, reducing conflict, and creating win-win outcomes—while keeping the needs of our clients at the center of every intervention.

For our staff, these skills are about more than responding to a crisis. They help us listen more effectively, understand what may be driving a difficult interaction, and find a path forward that supports safety, dignity, and respect for everyone involved.

Thank you, Ian, for sharing your experience and expertise with our team—and to our entire Ritter Center staff for continuing to learn, grow, and strengthen the way we serve our community.

◾️Learn more about Ian Brennan and his work:
violenceprevention.us

(Español abajo)

When community clinics close, patients don’t stop needing care. They end up waiting longer in crowded hospital emergency rooms, and costs go up for everyone. Prop 44 would push that crisis into our communities.

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Cuando las clínicas comunitarias cierran, los pacientes no dejan de necesitar atención médica. Terminan esperando más tiempo en las salas de emergencia de hospitales ya saturadas, y los costos aumentan para todos. La Propuesta 44 llevaría esa crisis directamente a nuestras comunidades.

Vote

🔹New Clinic Hours🔹

🕗 Beginning October 1st, we will have new, extended clinic hours:

🔹Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8am - 12pm & 1pm - 6pm
(last appointment scheduled for 5:30pm)
🔹Tuesdays: 8am - 12pm & 1pm - 9pm
(last appointment scheduled for 8:30pm)

📞 For appointments and questions for the Medical Clinic, call: (415) 504-1830.

🔵 For more information, visit rittercenter.org.

Proposition 44 is a November 2026 California ballot initiative that would result in reductions to patient services and clinic closures. Community health clinics across California provide vital care and services that improve people’s lives, the community they live in, and our state. This November, join us in voting no on Proposition 44 to protect clinic patients and their access to care.

Meet Greer! 😊 She’s our Volunteer Coordinator and Community Market Aide. We asked her what she likes about working in our new 800 A St. building.

“I love being at 800 A because it is bright, open, and full of beautiful art. I also love chatting with coworkers and the sense of community in the building.”

We couldn’t agree more, Greer!

If you’ve ever thought about volunteering at Ritter, Greer is the person to talk to. You can reach her at [email protected].

(En español abajo 👇)

Community clinics are a lifeline for millions of patients across California. We can't afford to put their care at risk. Stand with California patients and protect access to care by voting NO on Prop 44.

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Las clínicas comunitarias son un salvavidas para millones de pacientes en todo California. No podemos permitirnos poner en riesgo su atención médica. Apoya a los pacientes de California y protege el acceso a la atención médica votando NO a la Proposición 44.

Vote

🖼️ Art is everywhere at Ritter Center’s new Health & Wellness Center—and that was very much by design.

Capital Campaign Co-Chair Katie Smith understood that health and wellness are enhanced by surroundings that bring beauty, inspiration, and a sense of dignity. She led the effort to curate art for our new home alongside a dedicated volunteer committee that included art expert Jody Rassell and Ritter Center Chief of Staff Kim Baenisch.

More than 100 pieces were generously donated, with Katie and her team thoughtfully selecting works to elevate offices and spaces throughout the building. Donations came from many individuals, Make It Home, and Modernism Gallery, while donated funds also made it possible to purchase pieces that meaningfully reflect Ritter Center’s mission.

Even the Dominican University soccer team pitched in to help move artwork throughout the building!

Thanks to Katie’s vision and the generosity of so many, art is now woven throughout a space designed to support healing, wellness, and the dignity of every person we serve.💙

🤝 HOW YOU CAN HELP: Build a Hygiene Kit

We’re out of hygiene kits at Ritter Center — and we really need your help!

Hygiene kits provide essential personal care items to the people we serve. They’re also a great project to do with coworkers, teammates, friends, or as a high school service project.

📍 Drop off your kits at:
16 Ritter St, San Rafael

Drop-off hours:

Monday & Tuesday: 9am–12pm & 1pm–3pm
Wednesday: 9am–3pm
Thursday: CLOSED
Friday: 9am–12pm

Include any combination of these items packed in a new, reusable toiletry bag.:

• Toothbrush + toothpaste
• Shampoo + conditioner
• Soap or body wash
• Deodorant
• Lotion
• Baby or body wipes
• Comb or brush
• Feminine hygiene products

Help us restock! Every kit makes a difference. 💙