Treat for the Feet — Holy Thursday 2026
Treat for the Feet has been a cherished CTI tradition for over XX years. We hold it on the Thursday before Easter- a day associated with service, humility, and caring for one another — values that guide CTI’s work every day, regardless of faith. For us, it’s about showing up with respect, presence, and human connection.
This year’s Treat for the Feet was a beautiful reminder of the love and impact Care Through Touch embodies . On Holy Thursday, April 2, 2026, CTI volunteers set up at four sites across San Francisco, offering our annual day of foot massage to unhoused and marginally housed clients and community members seeking respite and care.
With nine volunteer massage therapists — including all three of our Board members, who have been long-time volunteers — we provided over 40 deeply relaxing foot massages throughout the day. Each person also received a new pair of socks and a small bag of treats, a simple gesture that always brings big smiles.
Foot massage may seem small, but for our clients — and for our practitioners — it carries a profound sense of connection. Unlike our regular seated massages, foot massage is deeply intimate, for some a sacred exchange. The massage therapist faces the client, creating a space to honor another human being with gentleness and respect. The smiles and occasional warm embrace after a massage say it all.
This year’s event also marked an important milestone: we are slowly rebuilding toward our pre-pandemic levels. Seeing so many dedicated practitioners return — and watching our Board members roll up their sleeves alongside them — was a powerful reminder of the community that sustains CTI’s mission.
Treat for the Feet is more than a special event. It’s a moment of dignity, connection, and care on the street — and a reflection of the heart of CTI.
Meet Lisa — From Client to Community Healer
If you’ve ever visited one of CTI’s weekly massage sites, you’ve probably been greeted by Lisa’s bright smile, playful spirit, and easy laugh. She has a way of making everyone feel at ease — warm, open, inviting, and always ready to bring a little joy into the room. Lisa first came to CTI as a client, seeking comfort and connection. Over time, she found healing, belonging, and purpose — and eventually was invited to step into the role of healer herself.
For the last several years she has volunteered twice a week at two CTI sites, including Ladies’ Night in the Mission, a women‑ and female‑identifying–only space that has become a refuge for many who return week after week. Lisa is a grounding presence there — someone who listens, laughs, and creates a sense of safety for everyone she touches.
And she never arrives alone. Her beloved turtle, Claude, goes everywhere with her. In the photo featured here, Claude is nestled in a planter enjoying the warm day while Lisa gently waters him — a small, tender moment that captures her gentle, nurturing nature.
Lisa brings that same tenderness to her work with clients. Foot massage, she says, holds a special place in her heart. With tears in her eyes, she shared what Treat for the Feet means to her: “Holy Thursday is very special to me… the anointing, the foot washing, the sacredness and intimacy of honoring another human. We try to convey that through the foot massage. I find it very connected and beautiful.”
Lisa embodies the heart of CTI: connection, compassion, and the belief that healing grows through presence. Her journey from client to healer — with Claude faithfully by her side — is a testament to the power of community and the ripple effect of care.