What we’re about
We started this peer support group for people who live with chronic pain, illnesses, and invisible disabilities. We know how challenging everyday life can feel, and we've seen how powerful it is to be part of a community with others who understand what it’s like. This is a laid-back space with no structure or expectations – just a community where you can show up as yourself and be met with understanding. Whether you’re looking for support, friendship, or just a place to belong, you’re welcome here exactly as you are.
Two Bay Area locations:
- San Francisco
- Santa Clara
San Francisco details:
Location: 54 Iris Avenue, San Francisco, California 94118.
Look for a blue residential building with silver banding and palm trees in the front with an open garage door. There are folding chairs for everybody to use.
Accessibility Info:
- The meeting space is in a private residential garage that is wheelchair accessible.
- There are wheelchair accessible bathrooms a block away at Starbucks and Peet's.
- The garage is scent-free.
- There is street parking on the same block and a free-of-charge parking lot a block away.
- The meeting space is nestled between the #1 MUNI and the 38 MUNI.
COVID Safety:
- The garage door is left open for ventilation.
- Masking is optional at this time.
- Wear warm clothes and bring a throw blanket since the garage door remains open for ventilation/COVID safety.
If you have any questions about the San Francisco group, feel free to email Rebecca at rebecca@betterbecausecollective.org
Santa Clara details:
Location: West Valley Branch Library | Group Study Room B
1243 San Tomas Aquino Road | San Jose, California 95117
https://sccld.org/locations/saratoga/
Accessibility Info: The meeting space is in a library meeting room that is wheelchair accessible, with wheelchair accessible bathrooms in the same building.
COVID Safety: Masking is optional at this time.
If you have any questions about the Santa Clara group, feel free to email Sena at [asenarde@gmail.com](http://asenad@gmail.com/)
Newsletter and contact info:
Sign up for our newsletter, where we'll share resources and announce upcoming events. http://go.betterbecausecollective.org/chronic-illness-support
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- (SF) Discuss life with chronic illness, chronic pain, and invisible disabilities54 Iris Ave, San Francisco, CA
About us: The Bay Area Chronic Pain & Illness Peer Support Group is a friendly, unstructured, in-person peer support group for anybody 18+ who lives with chronic pain, illness(es), invisible disabilities, and any type of mental health experiences. The group is a casual safe space to hang out, talk about our lives, share coping strategies, form friendships, create community, and get support.
Location: 54 Iris Avenue, San Francisco, California 94118.
Look for a blue residential building with silver banding and palm trees in the front with an open garage door. In the garage, a bunch of folding chairs will be set up in a circle with people sitting together and socializing.
Accessibility Info:
- The meeting space is in a private residential garage that is wheelchair accessible.
- There are wheelchair accessible bathrooms a block away at Starbucks and Peet's.
- The garage is scent-free.
- The garage is not low-light, so bring sunglasses if you need low-light.
- There is street parking on the same block and a free-of-charge parking lot a block away.
- The meeting space is nestled between the #1 MUNI and the 38 MUNI.
****Please refrain from wearing anything scented, including lotion, dry-cleaned clothes, etc. This is to ensure that the group is safe for people with chemical sensitivities.****
COVID Safety:
- The garage door is left open for ventilation.
- Masking is optional at this time.
- Wear warm clothes and bring a throw blanket since the garage door remains open for ventilation/COVID safety.
If you have any questions about the event, feel free to email Rebecca at rebecca@betterbecausecollective.org
- (SF) Discuss life with chronic illness, chronic pain, and invisible disabilities54 Iris Ave, San Francisco, CA
About us: The Bay Area Chronic Pain & Illness Peer Support Group is a friendly, unstructured, in-person peer support group for anybody 18+ who lives with chronic pain, illness(es), invisible disabilities, and any type of mental health experiences. The group is a casual safe space to hang out, talk about our lives, share coping strategies, form friendships, create community, and get support.
Location: 54 Iris Avenue, San Francisco, California 94118.
Look for a blue residential building with silver banding and palm trees in the front with an open garage door. In the garage, a bunch of folding chairs will be set up in a circle with people sitting together and socializing.
Accessibility Info:
- The meeting space is in a private residential garage that is wheelchair accessible.
- There are wheelchair accessible bathrooms a block away at Starbucks and Peet's.
- The garage is scent-free.
- The garage is not low-light, so bring sunglasses if you need low-light.
- There is street parking on the same block and a free-of-charge parking lot a block away.
- The meeting space is nestled between the #1 MUNI and the 38 MUNI.
****Please refrain from wearing anything scented, including lotion, dry-cleaned clothes, etc. This is to ensure that the group is safe for people with chemical sensitivities.****
COVID Safety:
- The garage door is left open for ventilation.
- Masking is optional at this time.
- Wear warm clothes and bring a throw blanket since the garage door remains open for ventilation/COVID safety.
If you have any questions about the event, feel free to email Rebecca at rebecca@betterbecausecollective.org
- (SF) Discuss life with chronic illness, chronic pain, and invisible disabilities54 Iris Ave, San Francisco, CA
About us: The Bay Area Chronic Pain & Illness Peer Support Group is a friendly, unstructured, in-person peer support group for anybody 18+ who lives with chronic pain, illness(es), invisible disabilities, and any type of mental health experiences. The group is a casual safe space to hang out, talk about our lives, share coping strategies, form friendships, create community, and get support.
Location: 54 Iris Avenue, San Francisco, California 94118.
Look for a blue residential building with silver banding and palm trees in the front with an open garage door. In the garage, a bunch of folding chairs will be set up in a circle with people sitting together and socializing.
Accessibility Info:
- The meeting space is in a private residential garage that is wheelchair accessible.
- There are wheelchair accessible bathrooms a block away at Starbucks and Peet's.
- The garage is scent-free.
- The garage is not low-light, so bring sunglasses if you need low-light.
- There is street parking on the same block and a free-of-charge parking lot a block away.
- The meeting space is nestled between the #1 MUNI and the 38 MUNI.
****Please refrain from wearing anything scented, including lotion, dry-cleaned clothes, etc. This is to ensure that the group is safe for people with chemical sensitivities.****
COVID Safety:
- The garage door is left open for ventilation.
- Masking is optional at this time.
- Wear warm clothes and bring a throw blanket since the garage door remains open for ventilation/COVID safety.
If you have any questions about the event, feel free to email Rebecca at rebecca@betterbecausecollective.org
