Access Institute’s Spectrum Gala & Art Auction Promotes Mental Health

On March 20th, Access Institute hosted its Annual Spectrum Gala & Art Auction, transforming the Pier 27 event venue into a vibrant celebration of art, community and purpose. This year’s gala raised over $330,000 to support the organization’s mission of providing free and low-fee mental health care to San Franciscans in need. It was a high-energy event from start to finish, with live and silent auctions featuring exclusive, art-focused experiences that sparked enthusiastic bidding.

The event brought together a number of civic leaders and advocates for mental health equity, including California State Senator Scott Wiener. After a gourmet dinner of veggie-forward fusion dishes like a “cevice” of hearts of palm and jicama and fermented tea leaf salad, attendees heard a moving testimonial from guest speaker Manny Yekutiel, who shared his personal connection to Access Institute’s critical work. Every aspect of the evening reflected Access Institute’s core mission: to ensure that high-quality psychological care is accessible to all—regardless of income or background.