Seniors from BACS’ Memory Care Visit Towne House
This is what healthy, active, and engaged seniors look like! Our Adult Day Programs keep our elders young at heart. On Monday, March 13th, BACS ADC Oakland had an adventure: the staff and participants took a field trip to Towne House Wellness Center! Team Towne House welcomed us and settled the seniors and staff in comfortably.
Everyone enjoyed playing bingo and having lunch. Then, everyone was joined by Jimmi Jones, blues guitarist and singer, who got everyone making music and dancing! The group played tambourines, shook maracas and danced up a storm. Check out the wonderful video of our seniors dancing and singing here.
BACS Advocacy for Seniors in Sacramento
Asha Koshy, RN, Program Supervisor for BACS’ Adult Day Program in Fremont went to Sacramento to attend a legislative luncheon and share our experience with elder care! Asha spoke with Assembly Member Bill Quirk and State Senator Bob Wieckowski (who represent Fremont and Hayward). Asha was able to share inspirational stories from BACS’ participants, giving a clear overview of how we impact the Alameda County senior community. These representatives were deeply interested in BACS services. Asha stressed the importance of senior care being continued in the state budget, and for the elders in our community to not become a forgotten population.
BACS was glad to send Asha Koshy to Sacramento to speak up on behalf of our population! Asha says it was “a very powerful experience educating our assembly members on what we do.” Thank you Asha Koshy, Assemblyman Quirk, and Senator Wieckowski for taking the time to discuss this critical issue!
Rosewood Grand Opening
Join us Friday, April 7 for the soft grand opening of Rosewood Crisis Residential Facility!
The opening will be held at 508 Alabama Street, Vallejo, CA 94590, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please RSVP via email.
Our Crisis Residential Programs provide short-term residential services for individuals who need support to cope and heal, and decrease reliance on expensive emergency psychiatric hospitalization. Last year, BACS programs saved taxpayers $5.7 million through hospital diversion programs like Rosewood.
Case Management Program Celebrates 24 Years
BACS is delighted to celebrate the 24 year anniversary of BACS’ Intensive Care Coordination / Case Management Program. BACS opened our Case Management program in 1993 to fill a crucial need in the community: providing psychiatric services and care coordination for people with severe behavioral health issues and trauma.
Our Intensive Care Coordination programs have made a difference for hundreds of people over the last 24 years. Learn more about our Intensive Care Coordination programs here.
FREE Innovations Conference
On March 3rd 2017, BACS’ Forensic Re-Entry and Empowerment (FREE) program presented our model at the Innovations in Re-Entry Learning Conference. The Alameda County-sponsored event featured peers, providers, and leaders in the forensic mental health field. Loren Jackson (Peer Counselor), Shanice Kelley (Program Manager), and Jovan Yglecias (Director of Programs) were invited to share the innovative work and model of the FREE program by presenting in two workshops at the conference. Attendees learned about our cutting-edge Reach-In process and triage team engagement with individuals with severe mental health challenges struggling to connect to needed resources in order to remain free of incarceration.
Scratchin’ and Survivin’
BACS is delighted to offer a new group, Scratchin’ and Survivin’: Eating Well on a Budget. This group offers practical tips and tricks on healthy eating and meal planning for folks with limited resources. All BACS participants are welcome. This group is free.
Scratchin’ and Survivin’ is being offered Wednesday, March 15th to May 3rd. The next meeting is Wednesday, March 29. Our first group had tons of energy, interest and fun! Everyone had great ideas, questions and input and we are all looking forward to our upcoming sessions. Our next group is Wednesday March 29th at Towne House Wellness Center (629 Oakland Ave, Oakland) from 1-2pm.
Many thanks to Erin Tolva, R.N., for designing and running this group, as well as to Jimmy Mun and the entire Towne House team for their help and support getting us off the ground!
Employee of the Month
BACS is delighted to honor Dr. Paul Jurkowski as our Employee of the Month for March!
Dr. Jurkowski’s client care, philosophy of ‘rolling with the punches’ and treating the clients, staff, and agency with utmost respect, dignity, and a positive regard make him a advocate for each person he works with.
Dr. Jurkowski says, “I know it may sound corny, but the things I love most about my job are both the people I work with and our clients. Our staff, because it takes an amazing amount of compassion and commitment to work in our job, and our clients, because they have survived so much and are a testimony to the human spirit.”
Congratulations, Dr. Jurkowski, and thank you for all you do on the BACS team!
Join Our Cause
Do you want to join BACS in our mission to uplift under-served individuals and their families by doing whatever it takes?
Donate
Donate to BACS online by clicking here, or via mail to 629 Oakland Ave, Oakland, CA 94612. Make an ongoing impact by donating monthly!
Or, donate gently used blankets, canned goods, and other items to our housing programs. Email us to learn more.
Work Here
BACS services are always expanding, and we are currently recruiting! Check out our job opportunities. Learn more on our website or by calling 510.613.0330.
Planned Giving
Many people leave a charitable gift in their will. Do you want to make a lifetime of impact in the community you care about? Email us to learn more!
