Bay Area Community Services (BACS)
Supporting People, Supporting Community
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…]
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.
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!”
The 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!
Congratulations to our June Employee of the Month – Jimmy Mun, Support Counselor for the Care Management Program.
Jimmy 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.
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
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.
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