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BACS Connections March 2018

March 26, 2018

Jonathan Logan Family Foundation Grant Award

BACS is delighted to announce a historic grant from the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation, which awarded BACS $100,000 to support our housing & homeless solutions programs in Oakland.

Additionally, the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation has offered a $50,000 challenge grant. We need community support to help us meet this match. You can make a gift towards this goal and double your impact: donate now!

Thanks to this generous support from the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation, BACS will be able to support homeless individuals through our Housing Fast Support Network, ensuring they have access to all the necessities it takes to move from homelessness to housing.

Case Management Program 25 Year Anniversary

BACS is delighted to celebrate the 25 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.

Homelessness Can Happen to Anybody

Veronica has lived in the Bay Area her whole life, and raised her four children here. But when she got into a car accident and could not afford to keep her housing along with her bills, suddenly Veronica was homeless and dealing with addiction to pain medication. She came to BACS to get her life back on track – and today, she works at a hospital, has a home, and is connecting with her family.

Veronica says, “BACS helped me with employment issues. If it wasn’t for BACS, and the staff, I don’t know how I would have done it. BACS always encourages me to keep going to the next level.”

Congratulations on your successes, Veronica!

Employee of the Month

BACS is delighted to honor Marian Asu, Accountant with our Finance Team, as Employee of the Month!

Marian’s colleagues who nominated her say, “Marian is a good colleague that is easy to work with and ask for help. She always works hard and is friendly.” 

Marian’s work in the Finance Team helps keep BACS operations running smoothly! Marian says “It gladdens my heart to see our staff smile each time they leave our office. I help employees’ with petty cash and checks to pay for participants needs and other expenses. My favorite part of my job is that from the back end, I do whatever it takes to serve our staff and clients and to ensure BACS is solvent to continue the good work.”

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?

Micah square

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!

Tagged With: ASW, case management, donate to nonprofit, employee recognition, homeless bay area, homelessness, housing, LCSW, MSW

BACS Connections April 2017

April 26, 2017

BACS Board of Directors Elects Three New Members

2017

BACS is delighted to announce the confirmations of three new members to the Board of Directors: Rebecca Altman, Judith Bloom, and Darryl Moore.

Rebecca Altman has a Master’s in Global Health, is Director at Third Plateau, and has substantial experience with social impact organizations. She is eager to support BACS in building a stronger, healthier, and more vibrant community in the Bay Area.

Darryl Moore is a long-time Berkeley resident and public servant, with 12 years on the Berkeley City Council in addition to numerous other positions. Darryl is excited to use his expertise in budgetary analysis and in Bay Area housing to benefit the agency and the community.

Judith Bloom is a former BACS Board member, serving from 1989-1996, and has been an active advocate for BACS since then. Judith is also a Certified Public Accountant, is on the Berkeley Symphony Advisory Committee, and is Treasurer of the Berkeley Holiday Fund.

Welcome to the BACS Board, Darryl, Judith, and Rebecca! To read more about our new members, see the full announcement here.

BACS Wellness Centers Celebrate 48 Years!

Charter Students

BACS is pleased to celebrate the 48 year anniversary of BACS’ Wellness Centers (originally called the Creative Living Centers).

BACS opened our Wellness Centers in 1969 to fill a crucial need in the community: welcoming and accessible community spaces for individuals living with behavioral health issues. Our Wellness Centers offer classes and programs, skills-building, and behavioral health services. Our Wellness Centers have made a difference for thousands of people over the last 47 years. Learn more about our Wellness Centers here. Thank you to everyone who makes our Wellness Centers special!

May is National Mental Health Month

Mental-Health-Awareness

May is just around the corner, and it is time to celebrate National Mental Health Awareness Month!

Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental health issues are common and treatable. If you or someone you know is experiencing behavioral health issues, you are not alone! Learn more about BACS and get help, make a difference for your community, or share your story with us today.

 Employee of the Month

Daniel employee of the monthBACS is delighted to announce Daniel Sanchez, Peer Counselor at BACS’ Solano Crisis Residential Center, as Employee of the Month for April!

In the year Daniel has been with BACS, his colleagues who nominated him say “he always presents an enthusiastic, whatever it takes attitude, and is very flexible and positive!”

Daniel says “My favorite part of working at BACS is knowing I am part of something greater than myself. My greatest success has been inspiring hope in the clients… I love that feeling that I am making a difference in the client’s lives.”

Congratulations, Daniel!

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?

Micah square

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!

Tagged With: berkeley holiday fund, darryl moore, employee recognition, end homelessness, jamie almanza, judith bloom, mental health, mental health awareness month, national mental health month, philanthropy, rebecca altman, Wellness Center

BACS Connections December 2016

December 27, 2016

Happy Holidays from BACS!

Richard Williams wins Employee of the Year

Our staff and their families celebrated the holidays together and gave thanks for our wonderful community.

This year, we are grateful for our community partners, whose work supported our shared vision of making the Bay Area a better place to live; for our participants, whose dreams and goals we can support; and for our staff, whose tireless efforts helped make real change this year.

Happy holidays, from everyone at BACS!

Welcoming Alistair McElwee: New BACS Board Member

alistair-mcelwee

BACS is delighted to announce the newest member of our Board of Directors: Alistair McElwee. His experience includes 17 years in operations at The GUS Team, LLC. and two years of oncology nursing at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center. Alistair’s education reflects his interests in politics, policy, and healthcare. He studied political science at UC Berkeley before a post graduate degree in public administration in San Francisco. More recently Alistair’s interest in healthcare led him to an advanced nursing degree. Alistair has participated as a volunteer for various arts organizations, hospitals, and political campaigns since 1986.

Welcome, Alistair, and thank you for your service!

Impact More Than 3,000 People This Year!

There are only a few more days to donate in 2016!

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Employee of the Month

azah

A’Zah was nominated because she embodies the value of accountability in the SAGE Program. She is reliable with getting clients needs met by meeting them where they are at, and has taken initiative in making sure that they get the services and benefits that they are entitled to by doing “whatever it takes”. A’Zah has been a strength and asset to the SAGE Team, by holding staff accountable for self-care.

“What I like most about my job is the connection within my team and the willingness to help all participants beyond our familiarity. We lean and depend on each other to help everyone. And also the fact that employees feel appreciated not only by participants but also staff members. Everyone is genuinely excited for each other’s success.” – A’Zah

Congratulations, A’Zah, and thank you for all you do on the SAGE team!

Leadership Gives Inspiring Talk to BACS Staff

img_0333Jamie Almanza, Executive Director, gathered BACS’ more than 120 staff members to share her vision for BACS Past, Present, and Future. She and other Senior Managers shared news of exciting new program openings, program expansions, and opportunities for staff growth within BACS.

Tagged With: donate, employee recognition, join board of directors, make a difference, nonprofit, nonprofit board

Ursula Sears Promoted from Within!

July 19, 2016

Ursula Sears, previously a BACS Peer Counselor, has been promoted internally to Program Supervisor at BACS’ Hedco Wellness Co-Op in Hayward.

Ursula first got connected to BACS in 2014, when she came to Hedco for her interview and fell in love with the location – especially our massive kitchen. She immediately began thinking of all the opportunities to help people at Hedco. [Read more…]

Tagged With: bay area nonprofit, employee recognition, job opportunities, nonprofit jobs, peer counselor, peer supervisor, promotion, Wellness Center

BACS Connections June 2016

June 27, 2016

North County Senior Homeless Program Celebrates 9 Years!

john-quote-portrait

BACS is pleased to celebrate the 9 year anniversary of BACS’ North County Senior Homeless Program (NCSHP).

BACS opened NCSHP, a full service partnership program, in 2007 to fill a crucial need in the community: outreach, housing and financial support, mental health and case management, substance use, and primary care to individuals who are homeless and have mental health issues.

Our NCSHP team has made a difference for hundreds of people over the last 9 years. Learn more about our Full Service Partnerships here.

Supported Employment Success

IPS-Scot-H

Scot, a participant with BACS’ Supported Employment IPS program, has worked in customer service on and off for years, but due unstable housing he had not been able to maintain employment for longer than a few months. After expressing his interest in going back to work, he had his eyes set on working as a cart attendant. After entertaining several interviews, Scot received a call back from one of his top choices, Target.

Now, he is happily employed at his goal job – congratulations, Scot!

When asked what advice he could give a peer who is discouraged about looking for work, he answered:

“To keep looking for work and not feel discouraged. When I feel discouraged I turn to my higher power for strength and I always listen to other people’s encouragement to keep me going. I go to the Wellness Center when I feel discouraged and talk to my job coach and other staff. Don’t stumble, don’t fall down, just keep getting up like you were young!”

IPS In the News!

Charter StudentsThe Alameda County BHCS Vocational Program, in collaboration with Bay Area Community Services and other Community Organizations and supporters, recently hosted the Second Annual Northern California Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Learning Conference.  The IPS Learning Conference goal was to raise awareness and interest around the IPS Evidenced Based Practice and how meaningful employment facilitates wellness and recovery, hope and self-efficacy, for individuals living with severe and persistent mental illness.

At the conference, over 130 Agency Leaders, Staff, Consumers, Family Members and Advocates, gathered to pose intriguing questions, explore diverse opinions and experiences, challenge assumptions and share successes and struggles – In essence, to learn from one another.

The IPS Conference offered  BACS Valley Wellness Center Participant Jeff Y. to share his ‘Back to Work’ story with the audience, which included the support he receives from Valley Wellness Center Employment Coordinator Veronica Pacana.  Shortly after, numerous small group dialogues around employment began.  There were 11 thematic discussion groups;  Our very own BACS Executive Director Jamie Almanza co-facilitated the discussion of “How to Get an IPS Program Started,” while BACS IPS Vocational Program Manager Chris Llorente and Valley Wellness Center Personal Service Coordinator Linda Nguyen facilitated the topic “The Role of IPS on Mental Health Teams.”

To learn more about the Individual Placement and Support model, please visit http://www.dartmouthips.org/.   And come join the discussion!

Employee of the Month

Congratulations to our June Employee of the Month – Jimmy Mun, Support Counselor for the Care Management Program.

Jimmy MunJimmy is incredibly dedicated to his work, and always keeps a positive attitude. He improves staff morale across the agency, and in the community where he spends much of his time.

Jimmy is willing to go the distance and to take his team to the next level. Jimmy embodies compassion, professionalism, and a Whatever It Takes approach and that embodies all of the BACS values.

I recall when you first started the conversation we had about how challenging the Care Management work is and that it takes a very special person to see and create resources for the most vulnerable elders of our community out of thin air: and you excel at it!

Jimmy says “I really enjoy the ability to help people that have fallen on hard times and sometimes just need a little assistance to get back on tracks. It can be very rewarding.”

Congratulations, Jimmy, and thank you for all you have done and continue to do to make our agency and program so strong.

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? The community has asked us to provide more services than ever, based on need. In 2016, help us make this possible!

Donate today!

Donate

Donate to BACS online by clicking here, or via mail to 629 Oakland Ave, Oakland, CA 94612.

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.

Tagged With: employee recognition, homelessness, housing, IPS, job opportunities, job opportunity, mental health, supported employment

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