Futures of Care: Contemplative Tending and Creative Visioning
⚡️Futures of Care: Contemplative Tending and Creative Visioning
Overview
Come open a portal into civic care at the Green Between — a lovingly reclaimed urban oasis in the Portola, also known as the Garden District. All ages welcome.
Part 1 | Tending: Public space cleanup (9-10:30am)
As a volunteer, come tend to the Green Between, a regenerative urban greenway park, supported by meditation and creative exercises to instill care. Inspired by the Zen practice of soji (掃除), or contemplative tending: we'll practice mindful cleaning that helps us ground in our senses, bodies, and space. Organized in partnership with One City Day SF.
Part 2 | Visioning: Creative contemplation (10:30am-12pm)
Participants will be invited to paint care stones and draw out care stories, generating artifacts that they can take with them or leave behind for the park. Through creative prompts, participants will imagine what care looks like for them— both giving and receiving, now and in the future. A mix of still and moving meditation will encourage participants to ground in their bodies and in place. Finally, participants will be invited to contribute to the vision of the Green Between, depicting how public spaces such as this one will continue to care and be cared for into the future of San Francisco.
Mingling and refreshments (12-1pm)
What to Expect
Mindful cleanup in Portola's parks and public spaces
Facilitated meditations (both still 靜 and movement 動)
Contemplative and creative activities (e.g. painting Care Stones, making seed bombs, and reflecting on communal care)
What to Bring
Gloves
Sunscreen
Water
...if you have them. If not, no worries—we got you!
Parking & Transportation
Public Transportation
MUNI Bus Lines: The 8 Bayshore, 8AX/8BX Bayshore Express, 9 San Bruno, 9R San Bruno Rapid, 44 O'Shaughnessy
BART: Take BART to the Glen Park Station, then transfer to the eastbound 44 MUNI bus
Parking
Free and metered street parking can be found along San Bruno Ave, Burrows St, and Bacon St.
Accessibility & Considerations
Burrows Pocket Park is fully wheelchair, stroller, and mobility-aid accessible
About the Future of Us Festival
Launching on America's 250th anniversary, the inaugural Future of Us festival is a 10-day celebration of civic imagination and possibility. We're turning community-sourced, expert-crafted visions of the future into art, storytelling, and participatory experiences. With 100+ events spanning every corner of the city (floral labyrinths, speculative future worlds, dance parties with a purpose, and neighborhood meet-ups), it's a living exploration of what a more creative and generative civic culture could feel like. Organized around four themes (Green Futures, Social Futures, Science & Tech Futures, and Media Futures), Future of Us is breaking down the barriers between art, ideas, and each other, and everyone is invited to co-imagine what comes next.
⚡ Learn more: future-of-us.com
About the Future Culture Fellows Program
The Future Culture Fellowship is a yearlong program that resources the people best positioned to shape the future of civic life in San Francisco: the community builders, artists, and grassroots visionaries already rooted in neighborhoods and traditions across the Bay. Fellows design and host original, science- and arts-centered experiences that reflect their unique perspectives on what's possible, and become part of a growing Future Culture Collective dedicated to making civic life in SF more vibrant, connected, and imaginative. The event you're signing up for was dreamed up by one of the 2026 Fellows.
⚡ Meet your host: https://www.future-of-us.com/2026-fellows/kevin-shaw
⚡ Learn more about the Fellows Program: future-of-us.com/collective
⚡ Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/futures.us
About Soul Seated Journey
Soul Seated Journey is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting emerging adults ages 18–29 as they navigate this pivotal stage of life. We create experiences that help people better understand themselves, build meaningful connections, and move through the world with greater compassion, clarity, and steadiness. Grounded in both science and wisdom traditions, our approach brings together community, guided learning, and real-life practice. We are committed to expanding access to spaces of belonging and growth - particularly for young adults who have had less access to the kinds of support, community, and guidance that make this stage of life more navigable.
⚡ Learn more about the program: https://soulseatedjourney.org/
⚡ Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/soulseatedjourney/