You are the community in community radio- a magical thing that Sequoia of Roll Over Easy describes as “one part us, one part you, and a little bit of coffee.” In a time where the idea of creating for creativity’s sake feels like it’s slipping away, your support gives a voice to those who may not have it otherwise and empowers people to learn new skills, all while helping you discover awesome new music.

Each week during our end of year fundraising campaign we're sharing the story of one BFF.fm DJ and the impact community radio has had on their lives. This week, we'd like to tell you about Andre.

There were two things Andre felt he really needed in his life: renewal and something fresh. Many of the communities that had provided him an identity in San Francisco had been sold and had disappeared, including cultural touchstones KUSF and the San Francisco Bay Guardian. As Andre came to terms with his own mental health, he knew he needed a fresh creative outlet.

That's when a friend introduced Andre to BFF.fm. "I got the sense that the station was vibrant, full of new ideas and even provided a diverse community, which was important to me. I wanted to be involved and to contribute."

Two years and more than 100 episodes later, Andre continues to bring a fresh perspective to the station. "My show is very purposefully called Brown Recluse Variety Show. Brown, because I'm Mexican, Recluse, to signify my introversion, but also perhaps an indicator of my emotional state and the paradox of being hidden in plain sight but getting on a mic for showtime. Variety not only describes the eclectic music I play, but the types of guests who come on my show. I'm really proud of reflecting that diversity in my choice of live in-studio guests. "

The guests Andre invites to his show not only provide him with the human connection he seeks, but are a unique lens through which listeners can get to know San Francisco. "I learn so much from everyone who comes on the show," Andre says, "Not only do they share music, either through a live performance or a DJ set of the types of music they like to listen to, but they also share their story. Guests have shared with me personal details about their own mental health struggles, addictions, their triumphs in confronting racism at the U.S. Southern border while on tour and so on..."

The Brown Recluse Variety Show slogan is "in order to shine, one must emerge from the shadows," and although Andre admits the tag line may seem cheesy on the surface, it resonates with him on a deeper level. "There's a self-help connotation there, kind of like 'showing up for life' and that's all I'm trying to do every week at the station is to show up, and do a show that I can be proud of."

The connections Andre is able to make and your ability to share in his discoveries is what creating powerful community radio for San Francisco is all about.

Join more than 850 of your friends and neighbors who also believe in the power of community radio to bring people together by making a donation to BFF.fm by December 31 so that people like Andre can keep reaching out from the darkness to shine for a couple hours each week.