Care Through Touch Institute

03/19/2026

In this clip, an Anthony, an unhoused client who has been showing up for free massage for over 6 years shares how trauma-informed massage helps him release the “toxins” of stress, fear, and exhaustion that build up in both body and mind. His words offer a powerful reminder of how compassionate, grounding touch can create space for relief, clarity, and dignity in the midst of daily hardship. Provided as part of the wrap around services from our long-term community partner Harm Reduction Therapy Center

In this clip, an unhoused community member shares how trauma-informed massage helps him release the “toxins” of stress, fear, and exhaustion that build up in...

03/06/2026

If you watch one thing today- let it be this!!! It will change how you think about healing and our ability as humans to connect and care for one another. Listen to firsthand accounts of the power of healing, trauma informed massage from our unhoused clients and massage practitioners. This is a true example of how a "small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world." (To quote Margaret Mead.)

Care Through Touch Institute (CTI) has brought healing and human connection to San Francisco’s unhoused and marginally housed neighbors through free, trauma-informed seated massage for over 40 years. 5 days a week across the City of San Francisco through partner sites like The Healing WELL SF , Hospitality House, Harm Reduction Therapy Center, Mission Resource Center, The Gubbio Project, Tenderloin Self Help, Tom Waddell Medical Center.

For close to 30 years the Care Through Touch Institute (CTI) has brought healing and human connection to San Francisco’s unhoused and marginally housed neigh...

03/03/2026

The relationship between the massage practitioner and the client is reciprocal. A sharing of humanity, connecting and caring. One of our longtime massage therapists Lisa, began as a client and now is one of our most cherished massage, therapist sharing her gift and joy with unhoused clients

02/28/2026

Trauma informed massages had been scientifically proven to help produce stress, boost mood, and mitigate anxiety. For our unhoused, clients, and those facing social isolation the no cost massages given by our trained massage therapists across the city offer connection, care and are integrated into wrap around social and health care services offered by our partner sites.

02/06/2026

CTI trauma informed massage therapy workshop for our newest group of volunteer massage therapists.

01/14/2026

No words needed.

01/14/2026

Our awesome massage therapists providing such much needed relief The Gubbio Project before the rain hit.

Interested in becoming a volunteer massage therapist with us email: office@carethroughtouch.org

12/16/2025

Please join us in wishing the happiest of birthdays to our Founder and ED Mary Ann Finch!! Her passion, joy, tenacity and endless energy have sustained CTI for close to 30 years and her belief in healing massage has touched the lives of over 50,000 people in San Francisco !! She continues to inspire us all! We just adore her !!

12/12/2025

For over 25 years Care Through Touch has provided free seated massage to San Fransico's unhoused and marginally housed. Our long standing partnerships with organizations across the city have allowed us to develop long term deep relationships with thousands of massage recipients over the years. Mary Ann Finch Harm Reduction Therapy Center The Gubbio Project

12/10/2025

At a recent communith gathering CTI massage therapists, volunteers , staff and board members came together to connect, break bread, share laughter and life lessons and plan for next year. Here are a few examples of what CTI means to them .

12/03/2025

The holiday season can be a stressful time for many, and for our unhoused and marginally housed clients this is equally true. Many lack family contact or feel isolated, and the emotional weight of the season can deepen feelings of disconnection. A simple moment of compassionate, grounding touch can make a meaningful difference.

Trauma-informed massage is a compassionate, mindful approach to therapeutic touch that prioritizes safety, consent, and empowerment. It recognizes that many people carry experiences of stress, hardship, or trauma in their bodies, and that even gentle touch can bring up strong emotions or memories.

At Care Through Touch Institute (CTI), our massage practitioners use the tools of trauma informed touch with our clients. It is a gradual approach to healing, a safe space, stress reduction and restoring a sense of connection—especially for individuals who rarely experience safe, supportive touch in their daily lives.

11/29/2025

Giving thanks today and everyday for our compassionate, gifted, healing massage therapists- past and present. Their gift of touch is a much needed balm for many this time of year. Let's follow their lead and all share our gratitude with a warm embrace or gentle touch as we move though the holiday season.