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BACS Connections August 2021

August 5, 2021

Sacramento Crisis Navigation Program

The mental health system of care can be complicated – which is why BACS has started the Sacramento Crisis Navigation Program (CNP). We are supporting community members with behavioral health needs who are in the middle of a crisis, at the emergency room, by being side-by-side to help them navigate available resources to find ongoing services and stability.

Some of the people we serve may have been through this cycle before (from emergency room to a referral to ongoing behavioral health services), but without the warm handoff and individualized coordination they slipped through the cracks. BACS Care Coordinators are here to fill that gap and provide a necessary support to these members of our community and help them with behavioral health, housing, and other urgent life needs. Our team is made up of peers, people with lived experience of these same crises, who can connect with clients “where they are at.”

CNP is made possible by MHSA funding, Sacramento County, and partnership with eight hospitals across Sacramento County.

Advocating to Keep People Housed

BACS joined Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Supervisor Keith Carson (Alameda County D5) today to advocate for extending the national eviction moratorium with our Keep Oakland Housed collaborative. KOH has helped more than 5,000 households keep their housing since 2019, and when COVID worsened the housing and economic crises, BACS and our partners were ready to provide emergency rental assistance, legal support, and supportive services to prevent mass evictions. Health and housing are linked, and keeping people housed prevents the spread of COVID.

One of those 5,000 families was Theresa Fortune and her child in elementary school. She is an artist, an entrepreneur, and a community advocate. She was able to get her bills paid and stay in her housing thanks to KOH. “In my experience with Keeping Oakland Housed, the process is so seamless – it was very easy. Thank you so much, and I look forward to getting through this together as a community.” 

“The eviction moratorium protects the 99% of renters who are facing eviction for no reason other than the pandemic,” says Jamie Almanza, MBA, CEO of BACS. “Our economy is still recovering, our workforce is still recovering, and most people in America can barely afford their monthly rent, let alone months of back rent on low pay. This is vital while our country stabilizes. We need to protect our neighbors.” 

Letter of Gratitude from Newly-Housed Della

Every day, BACS is helping end homelessness by helping our neighbors find stable housing – but it’s not every day that we get such an incredible “thank you” letter. Della sent us this letter to thank the staff and the whole community behind BACS for helping her get out of homelessness, and asked us to share it.

“I would like to Thank you for allowing me to be part of the program. BACS is everything it stands for Committed to putting an end to homelessness. You see people on side of freeways in tents, homeless people sleeping in doorways on park benches but you never imagine that being you until it happens to you. It’s not anything you want anybody to know or want to talk to anybody about…

Just when I lost hope of ever having my own place, I was told about BACS! BACS is a program that took me off the streets sleeping in my car.

I am so blessed to have found BACS what they do is amazing and I know I couldn’t have done it without them. I have my own place now and have not been this happy in a long time and not only providing me a place to live they furnished everything I needed to make it complete so Kelly, Khalil, Loren, Elizabeth, Ernesto and staff and a special thanks to BACS for making it all happen!! I wish you all the best and anybody who is blessed to be part of the program. Follow the procedures they require and you will have a place to call home!! I can’t thank you enough.”

If you would like to help a neighbor get out off the streets, donate to BACS today!

Introducing Weinreb House

Today, we honor the legacy of Ilene Weinreb, a former BACS board member and pillar of the community. Ilene passed away on November 22, 2020, at age 89, after dedicating her life to creating affordable housing opportunities.

Ilene was an incredible person – the first elected female mayor of Hayward in 1974, an advocate for the creation of Alameda County’s 211 telephone line (which connects residents with health and human service programs), and included BACS in her estate as part of her commitment to affordable housing.

BACS dedicates our first Supported Independent Living site in Hayward as “Weinreb House” This Hayward home was a pioneering model of the housing co-op model that BACS still provides, creating affordable housing for community members experiencing homelessness and/or other complex challenges. This house has provided stable, affordable, permanent housing for six individuals with behavioral health needs since 1980. Ms. Weinreb’s fierce advocacy for this model, and her deep ties to the Hayward community, make this a perfect home to hold her legacy.

Planned Giving

Have you spent your life trying to make the world a better place? You can leave a legacy and make a generational impact on the community by leaving a charitable gift in your will.

Planned giving to BACS allows you to uplift your community by investing in housing, behavioral health, and other services that make our neighborhoods stronger. As a heritage organization in Northern California since 1953, BACS will preserve your legacy and honor your generosity for many years to come. If you are considering leaving a charitable gift in your will and want help or more information, contact us!

Tagged With: affordable housing, donation, end homelessness, ilene weinreb, planned giving

BACS Connections June 2018

June 25, 2018

BACS to Open Whole Person Care Program in Solano County

Solano County hills

Solano County is opening its first Whole Person Care (WPC) program, and has chosen BACS to spearhead this pilot! WPC focuses on looking at the ‘whole person’ from an integrated care perspective, moving away from fragmented health care systems that treat each issue individually. This WPC program is patient-centered and involves the coordination of primary care, behavioral health, social services, and housing for high-needs users.

BACS is thrilled to be able to bring innovation to this project, in partnership with Solano County, and help people with chronic and serious health conditions access the care they need!

Mendelson Family Fund

BACS is honored to announce a partnership with the Mendelson Family Fund! The Mendelson Family Fund, formed by Joan Sautter and Dr. Roger Mendelson, has made a generous gift to BACS to support our Housing Solutions programs. Their donation will support homeless community members in Oakland.

Housing Program Success Story

Our Housing Education & Counseling program is excited to share a new success story, from someone who went from homelessness to housing! A single mother with a five year old son attended our program. She and her son had been living in their car for nearly two years, and she did not have a rental history, so she could not find housing. BACS’ Housing Education team wrote a letter to the landlord of a potential unit, and spoke to him over the phone to advocate on behalf of the woman and her child. The team let him know the woman was consistently attending the Housing Education and Counseling program. Thankfully, the landlord saw the women’s dedication to get into housing, and now the woman and her child are in a home of their own. BACS celebrates success stories like these every day!

Homeless Outreach and Crisis Residential Program Anniversaries

This month, BACS is celebrating two program anniversaries.

Rosewood Crisis Residential Center opened in 2017 in Vallejo, and provides services to people across Solano County. Rosewood provides short-term residential services for individuals in active psychiatric distress who need support to cope and heal. BACS thanks the dedicated staff, who have helped Rosewood make a difference for 120+ people since it opened.

North County Senior Homeless Program (NCSHP) opened in 2007 in Alameda County 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. This Full Service Partnership helps the most vulnerable members of our community.

Start a Career with BACS

BACS services are always expanding, and we are currently recruiting! Check out our career opportunities on our website, and learn more about what makes BACS special.

BACS welcomes people of all backgrounds and expertise to apply. Even if you have never worked in the mental health or homeless solutions fields, but you are inspired to make a change, reach out to BACS – we have many training and entry-level positions.

BACS provides benefits and perks like: fully covered medical/dental/vision/life insurance, tuition reimbursement for loans and tuition, clinical supervision hours towards licensure, internal growth opportunities, and more! BACS also works with a wide variety of populations, and has many opportunities for learning and advancement.

You Can Make A Difference

Micah square

Donate to BACS online by clicking here, or via mail to 390 40th Street, Oakland, CA 94609. Make an ongoing impact by donating monthly!

Currently the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation is matching all new gifts up to $50,000! This funding will go to end homelessness in the Bay Area.

Do you work for Cisco? You can donate to BACS, and the Cisco Matching Gifts program will match your gift!

 

Tagged With: end homelessness, mendelson family fund, Oakland, oakland homeless

BACS Connections May 2018

May 29, 2018

Former NFL Star Donates to Thunder Road

Anthony Trucks, former NFL athlete and “American Ninja Warrior” star, made a donation to BACS’ Thunder Road Program from his local gym. Trucks Training, his gym in Antioch, is a 24-hour facility dedicated to health and wellness for members of all fitness levels. Trucks epitomizes his philosophy of “Trust your hustle”, by creating opportunities for people to find the fitness solutions that work for their personal goals. The residents at Thunder Road will now have an opportunity to use a full-size Everlast punching bag to work on their fitness, physical and emotional health, thanks to his donation!

Homelessness Can Happen to Anybody

Before a brief jail sentence for illegal business activity, Glenn lived in Piedmont with his family. When he got out, Glenn struggled with homelessness. BACS was able to help Glenn get into housing, find satisfying employment, restore his benefits and healthcare, and get his life back on track. Today, Glenn is writing a play, supporting PhD research, and says his life is “prosperous.”

Glenn says, “I was learning to re-build my life. That’s what BACS is about. What BACS can do for me, it can do for anybody. Without BACS, I wouldn’t have known what’s possible again. And what’s possible is what’s imaginable.”

Supported Independent Living sites celebrate 45 years!

BACS opened our first Supported Independent Living (SIL) site in 1973 to help individuals who have mental health and other health-related issues such as homelessness and want to pursue sustainable housing in a safe environment.

Our SIL sites have made a difference for thousands of people over the last 45 years. Help us keep them open!

Winter Shelter Makes a Dent

BACS is dedicated to ensuring that all people have access to housing – and in the short term, we provide programs like the Winter Shelter to help make winters less dangerous for un-sheltered community members. Through just the Winter Shelter this year, BACS helped 79 people to become housed or end their un-sheltered status. Plus, 20 individuals moved from the Winter Shelter into our short-term housing, and 59 moved into permanent housing!

Older Americans Month

May is Older Americans Month, and BACS is honored to recognize older Americans who have contributed and made such a difference in our community. BACS knows that community activities help to enrich the physical, mental and emotional well-being of the population.  Older Adults offer a great deal of wisdom and experience to other generations. BACS is proud to do its part by offering older adults a place to connect during the day with the Adult Day Center (ADC). The ADC offers a space for socialization, recreation and mind building activities. Let us all take some time this month to honor an older American and continue to promote healthy aging.

Employee of the Month

BACS is delighted to announce Arash Darian as Employee of the Month! Arash works with BACS’ Wellness Centers, and has demonstrated exceptional accountability, positivity, and integrity with his work. He supports BACS in reaching crucial agency goals, balancing this with providing services and interventions that are supportive, engaging, and well-versed in the BACS philosophy of care.

Arash says, “I believe that the services that BACS and its teams provide are extremely important to the communities we serve and live in. BACS is often the “last stop” and the only agency that will work with some of the more severely disabled members of our communities. As I understand it, our goal as an agency is to help those who need it, as much as possible, and that is a cause that I believe in, not only professionally, but morally as well. Based on the work that I have seen many of my colleagues do, this is a mentality that is shared throughout the agency”

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!

Currently the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation is matching all new gifts up to $50,000! This funding will go to end homelessness in the Bay Area.

Do you work for Cisco? You can donate to BACS, and the Cisco Matching Gifts program will match your gift!

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: anthony trucks, antioch, employee appreciation, end homelessness, gentrification oakland, glassdoor, homeless, homelessness, NFL, oakland homelessness, oakland housing, staff, trucks training

How You Will Make a Difference in 2018

December 6, 2017

In 1953, BACS became one of the very first non-profits in the Bay Area. Over the last 65 years, the Bay Area has changed dramatically, yet some things remain the same. Many societal issues – homelessness, substance use, racial prejudice, and behavioral health challenges – still need to be addressed.

We are doing whatever it takes to uplift our community – and this would not be possible without you. BACS needs your support!

Check out your full impact here to see people you have helped like Emma and Joseph, and to learn how we plan to change the Bay Area for the better with your support.

This holiday season, help us help our community. Donate today!

 

Tagged With: bay area, end homelessness, homelessness, nonprofit, Oakland, supported housing

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

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