St. Cyprian's Senior Warden Bruno Peguese and Junior Warden & Advisory Council Chair, Jarie Bolander praised Michael's work and assured congregation members and the wider neighborhood community that Cyprian's Center's objectives will continue. Bruno stated, "We regret that Michael is leaving especially at such an exciting time of growth in our life, with Michael's incredible skills and community activism he has really been one of the fibers that has helped to weave this community effort, strengthening the church and unifying the community. St. Cyprian's has learned so much from Michael and we are excited to continue to grow as result of his energetic leadership."

St. Cyprian's Vicar Will Scott, thanked Michael & his partner Dale Danley, "St. Cyprian's has been greatly blessed by these community leaders, by their unique ability to bring people together from all walks of life for the common good. For nearly 90 years, St. Cyprian's has been striving to serve God and our neighbors, and this couple has been an important part of our journey these past two years. Much like our congregation's forebears of the 20th century amidst sweeping societal changes Michael & Dale have with elbow grease and determination helped create a shared space for the 21st century. We are grateful for them, and will miss them."

Michael was drawn to St. Cyprian's vision of becoming a shared community space, and he added his passion and commitment to help carry it forward and expand its reach. After a year of planning and preparation with St. Cyprian's community, Michael helped launch earlier this year Cyprian's arc - a center for the arts, resilience and community and served as Director.  

St. Cyprian's has been fortunate to benefit from the social networks that Michael, his partner, Dale, and other long-time neighborhood leaders have brought to our operations at Turk and Lyon. Utilizing those networks and 15 years' experience of organizing in the neighborhood, Michael recruited numerous volunteers and developed a comprehensive space use process.

Michael's first engagement with St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church was in the 1990s as part of a tree planting initiative in the neighborhood. Michael became re-acquainted and engaged following a visit by St. Cyprian's clergy to a Bike the Block event he organized in the neighborhood in September of 2009. In time, Michael stepped up to assist St. Cyprian's with a number of major projects from preparing for the San Francisco Live Arts music series which came to Turk & Lyon in Winter 2011, to coordinating a major deferred maintenance issue (the Turk & Lyon Street Wall & Tower Repair) to beautifying the exterior with the Green Turk & Lyon Street sidewalk gardens.

Everyone at St. Cyprian's and throughout the neighborhood, is deeply grateful for Michael's hard work, commitment and creativity. We wish Michael all the best in the creative work that lies ahead for him.

Essential to the center's life are our Advisory Council, University of San Francisco faculty and students, partnerships with the North of the Panhandle Neighborhood Association & The Wigg Party, program associate Allison Schaub, project manager The Reverend Eric Metoyer, and many neighborhood volunteers, especially graphic designer Kevin Barnard, and church member Stephen Prutsman. Thanks to Michael Helquist's strong organizational groundwork, Cyprian's Center is positioned to have a long and vibrant life at St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church. In November, we will honor Michael's contribution to our common life at a special volunteer celebration.  

For new space use requests please contact Cyprian's Events Coordinator Allison Schaub events@cyprians.org.