Anna’s House Ushers in Hope for Homeless Mothers and Children

In the heart of East Oakland, the doors of Anna’s House swung wide open this month – a beautiful, unique home for single mothers and children battling homelessness. Anna’s House, BACS’ newest interim housing site, will provide safe, stable housing for single mothers and their children in Oakland – the model is for families to stay the time they need while BACS and its partners wrap around them to get them to their next step – finding and moving in to permanent housing!

Anna’s House is not just a shelter; it is a testament to resilience and community support. Named after Anna, a mother, sister, daughter, and friend who tragically lost her life after years of struggling with trauma resulting from sexual partner violence, Anna’s House stands as a tribute to her memory. Situated on a residential street in East Oakland, Anna’s House occupies nearly 1,390 square feet of house with a spacious backyard. The home is designed to accommodate up to three suites, each featuring bedrooms and all other amenities.

The gathered community commemorated Anna, honoring and remembering her resilience and compassion. Aurora, Anna’s child, and Jackie Downing, Anna’s childhood friend and a major fundraiser/advocate for Anna’s House, spoke to share Anna’s story of strength and the importance of mental health services. Together with BACS CEO Jamie Almanza, they cut the ribbon, officially opening the home in Anna’s name. Ms. Almanza was steadfast in her commitment and demand for this model to replicate rapidly and judiciously – as BACS has added over 50 single family homes to its portfolio in the last five years.  The single family home model is the most efficient way to quickly bring housing online to our impacted system. With continued support and fundraising efforts, Anna’s House is poised to become a cornerstone in the community, offering stability, healing, and hope to those who need it most.

Learn more on our website and see coverage in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Affordable Housing at BACS’ Piedmont Place

While affordable housing is an ongoing challenge in Oakland, BACS was proud to be the first stop on the Affordable Housing Tour led by Oakland Housing and Community Development and EBHO! We were joined by our partners at the Oakland Mayor’s and City Administrator’s Offices, Oakland Housing Authority, MPI, the Oakland Council District 1 and 7 offices, and more for a tour of BACS’ Piedmont Place and other affordable housing options.

BACS is doing whatever it takes to develop affordable, sustainable housing options that help people get out of homelessness and stay in their home community. If you want to contribute to this effort, please make a gift today!

Celebrating 70 Years of BACS Impact

In December, BACS closed our celebrations of 70 years of doing “whatever it takes” to uplift our community, looking forward to the next 70 years of service.

We extend our sincerest thanks to Supervisor Keith Carson for its proclamation commemorating BACS’ 70 years and all the dedicated elected officials who took the time to join us in commemorating this significant milestone

Our event was more than a celebration of 70 years; it was an acknowledgment of the hard work and dedication of our incredible staff over the past year. Our gathering was also an opportunity to express profound appreciation for the outstanding leadership and tireless dedication that our public officials bring to our community. Often, their efforts go unnoticed, but their impact is immeasurable.

Prabhakar Family Does Whatever It Takes

Uplifting Stories from BACS

Donna* was referred to BACS in June of 2022. For several months, we were unable to locate her/engage her in services because she was experiencing significant symptoms and barriers including disorganization, mania, psychosis, and homelessness. In January of 2023, BACS located her during an emergency psychiatric hospitalization, made contact, and began to establish rapport. We supported a “step-down” to BACS’ Woodroe Place Crisis Residential Treatment Center, where our team continued to get to know her and finally opened her to services. Since connecting to BACS services, Donna* has obtained housing, applied for benefits, expressed an interest in substance abuse treatment, and continued to be an active member of the Towne House Wellness Center community.

These are the kinds of community members we help every single day at BACS.

*Name and photo changed for confidentiality purposes

Santa Visits SHARE Center

Thank you to Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo, Salinas Mayor Kimbley Craig, the Salinas Fire Department, and many donors (led by Comcast), Santa visited the SHARE Center this Christmas! Donors helped us put together special gift backpacks for each child at the SHARE Center – and the adults got gifts too! Most people experiencing homelessness do not have the luxury of celebrating holidays, so it brought true joy to all at the SHARE Center to have such a wonderful community event. Thank you to all who made this possible, and see us on the news on KION!

Empowering Women: A Day of Learning and Growth

In a world where women are breaking barriers and redefining their roles, empowerment and community are vital. BACS North County recently hosted a Women’s Wellness Workshop to bring together people identifying as women for a day of self-improvement and self-empowerment. From financial planning to therapeutic art, it had something for everyone.

BACS North County extends its gratitude to all who attended. A special shoutout to Deneisha Clemons from House of Loving Hands for sharing her inspiring journey. We’d also like to thank Project Glimmer for their generous donation of hygiene and makeup items, included in the goodie bags, adding to the sense of empowerment.

The Women’s Wellness Workshop wasn’t just a day of empowerment—it equipped women with tools and knowledge to continue their journey towards personal power.

366 People, Permanently Housed

This former Motel 6 is now Delta Landing, a BACS interim housing program serving unhoused neighbors in Contra Costa County. It started in 2020 as a Project Roomkey site as a spot to shelter-in-place during COVID for those without homes. In June of that year, Governor Newsom visited the site to announce Project Homekey, which three months later included this site itself as one of the first round awardees.

Fast forward to January 2023 — the 172-room site, which provides wraparound, health care, and rehousing services has permanently housed 366 people. We have served nearly 500 people, and counting, and over 80% of all exits have been to permanent homes.

We are grateful to Contra Costa Health for their partnership, vision, and determination to leverage statewide resources to invest in ending homelessness. BACS knows what works to end homelessness. The key to making it happen is unlocking resources to do what we know works.

Early Results from the Oakland Shallow Subsidy Pilot

BACS is constantly trying new things to end homelessness, and last year launched the Oakland Shallow Subsidy Pilot in partnership with the City of Oakland. The first cohort of recipients just completed their pilot period, and early data shows homelessness was prevented for 100% of households. Here is what a few of them had to say:

“This program has helped out a lot – without Shallow Subsidy, I probably would be homeless.” 

“I am so thankful for this program. It’s gotten me to a place where I can cover rent with my income and have some savings.” 

“I have appreciated the help and additional resources that the program had to offer. The staff was amazing to work with, they never looked down on you because of your situation.

186 people are still receiving Shallow Subsidies to prevent their homelessness and displacement. UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative is partnering with BACS to collect and evaluate the data, and will share a deep look at its impact once the pilot concludes.

Success Story: Product of Grace

Jessica Robblee’s story is one of perseverance and hope, despite the odds that were stacked against her.

Jessica struggled with drug use, homelessness, family disconnection, and too many encounters with law enforcement for 10 years. BACS got connected to Jessica after she was arrested in 2017, with her case manager Brandy focusing on helping Jessica on her sobriety journey and locating safe housing. Jessica herself acknowledges she was not always easy to help. “I have been around people who pushed me too much, but Brandy was super patient with me and did not push past what I could handle,” said Jessica. “I’m grateful to BACS and especially Brandy for sticking by me these past five years.” BACS kept working with Jessica and advocating for her to reach her goals.

Today, we are so proud and honored to share Jessica’s major achievement: she has purchased and opened her very own transitional sober living home, called “Product of Grace.” Jessica shared that her successes are a product of the grace extended to her by those around her during her years of challenges and recovery, and she wants to extend that grace to others by providing housing designed to help women who are on a similar journey.

Short-Term Program with Long-Term Results

When COVID-19 hit and “shelter in place” orders went into effect, BACS was on the front lines – in encampments, keeping emergency mental health centers open, and trying to address the compounding crisis. The tragedy of homelessness was exacerbated when people with nowhere to go were told to “shelter in place,” and encampment sweeps kept people on the move, exposing themselves to further risk. BACS worked with leaders across the Bay Area to do whatever it took to help our unhoused neighbors.

The City of Hayward responded quickly, and helped BACS open an extension to our Hayward Navigation Center – The Annex. The Hayward Annex was open for just over two years, and we are excited to share the impact: 102 people permanently housed. 

The Annex served approximately 30 people at a time, providing interim housing, housing navigation services, benefits advocacy, employment support, and independent living skills development. If you live in Hayward and want to see more results like this, donate to BACS today and help your neighbors.

The High Value of BACS Staff

What makes BACS special – so that more neighbors have housing instead of living on the streets, so that more people get the mental health care they need – is our incredible team. The 430+ people who leave their homes and show up to work everyday to do ‘whatever it takes’ for the community we serve.

“Every day, our staff come into work ready for anything – and they are working against massive odds with community members who are too often ignored. BACS team members are untold first responders, in hospitals and encampments and anywhere else there is a complex crisis. It is my sincere privilege to compensate the team as highly as we value them.” – Jamie Almanza, CEO

It is because of this that BACS took a major leap – and created a new “BACS minimum wage” – a living wage that complements our extremely comprehensive benefits package.  The new wage significantly raises all current staff dramatically – in most cases by 30%.

BACS is from the community and for the community. If you are looking for employment and want to be part of the “whatever it takes” movement – with pay and benefits that match your dedication and expertise – check out our open positions.

Grand Opening of Cedar Wellness Center

On December 2^nd, BACS launched our first Wellness Center in Sacramento County. Graced by dignitaries such as Supervisor Patrick Kennedy and Health Services Director Timothy Lutz, as well as our leadership team, staff and clients, we committed this space to healing and support for the community. The Cedar Wellness Center, located at 4600 47th Ave, Suite 111, Sacramento, is currently open Monday-Friday, 9am to 5:30pm. Check out January’s activity calendar or check our website to plan a visit.

BACS Launches NET Growth Movement

The NET Growth Movement is helping former foster youth transition into adulthood with the financial stability, personal strength, and community backing they need to thrive. Designed and founded by adults with experience in Alameda County foster care, powered by BACS, the NET Growth Movement provides a guaranteed income pilot ($1,000 per month for up to 24 months), a plethora of supports, and community-resource building. This is the first program of its kind in Alameda County, and the initial cohort is expected to start this month.

Dig into why this program is so important in our full launch announcement.

Santa Visits Homeless Families at the SHARE Center

Christmas magic came to the SHARE Center in Salinas this year when Santa visited and brought gifts for every one of the more than 100 residents working to get out of homelessness. This beautiful event, held for the first time in 2021, is thanks to Supervisor Luis Alejo and Mayor Kimbley Craig, donors and volunteers from Comcast, PepsiCo, the County of Monterey, and countless individuals who came together to make the holidays bright for families struggling with housing access.

Since the SHARE Center launched in 2021, 128 individuals/families have moved in to permanent housing. BACS is proud to be part of the Salinas community and do “whatever it takes” to end homelessness for each family we serve. It is our honor to share joy and celebrate holidays with our temporary residents while we build towards the dream of future holidays at home.

Need Help? Get Help Faster

We strive to ensure that every door is the right door when you come to BACS – including our website. Whether someone needs assistance with housing, employment, behavioral health, food, healthcare, community-building, or many other needs, BACS will do “whatever it takes” to get them the help they need.

The Get Help page on our website now has all our neighborhood hubs – expanded recently to include new sites in Sacramento – where anybody in need is welcomed and will find the support they need. Please help spread the word of this resource, and we look forward to seeing you in our neighborhood.

Once A Townie

Since Towne House was founded in 1969, the “Townie” community has grown large and deep roots in our community. So many of the people who come to Towne House find a new sense of belonging, as people are welcomed regardless of their behavioral health challenges or homelessness status, and encouraged and supported to live their best life. This year, Towne House lost one of the longest-term members, Beferia Thomas. Beferia was a true Townie, giving and receiving support across her lifetime. She volunteered as a receptionist, greeter, lunch preparer, and took many other opportunities to stretch her talents to support her community. She was instrumental in helping Towne House find its permanent home, and got BACS support to find her own apartment and permanent home. Milly Alvarez, Friend of Towne House and former Towne House Director, gathered with others who Beferia impacted throughout the years in our Memorial Garden.