On the Friday before a three-day weekend, one of our most vulnerable clients told us he was sleeping on the streets. Conflict in his room-and-board arrangement left him feeling unsafe and afraid to return.
Without hesitation, Breanna at our Cedar CORE site in Sacramento jumped into action. She gathered the client’s information, leaned on her trusted relationship with the housing operator, and secured a safe transfer into a new room — plus a rent credit.
Breanna’s swift advocacy ensured the client’s stability and access to his treatment team and support network. As Breanna said, “When someone is brave enough to share what they’re going through, I don’t take it lightly. It’s truly an honor to serve and advocate for those who need it most.” We believe this reflects the dedication and compassion that our team members like Breanna bring to their work every day.
Wilmer, Breanna’s client, also shared his positive experience with our program, saying, “BACS is a great program for resources, and my case manager has really been helpful and understanding of my situation.”
Because of Breanna’s swift advocacy (and the client’s willingness to be honest with her), this client kept his housing, his stability, and his access to his treatment team and support network. What could have been a crisis instead became proof of the power of compassionate care and quick action.
BACS Connections: August 2025
BACS Celebrates Darryl McDavid’s Board of Supervisors Commendation
BACS is celebrating and congratulating Darryl McDavid, a fantastic leader on the BACS team who received a commendation from the Alameda County Board of Supervisors for his outstanding contributions! Darryl co-founded, co-designed, and now manages the NET Growth Movement at BACS.
Darryl’s journey exemplifies determination and hard work, from navigating the foster care system to earning a degree from CSU East Bay. As one of the 3% of former foster youth to graduate from college, Darryl dedicates his career to empowering others to achieve their goals and build a brighter future.
We’re deeply grateful for Darryl’s commitment to creating positive change in Alameda County. Thank you for being a remarkable role model and source of inspiration.
New Approach to Justice: BACS’ Restorative Justice Program Empowers Young Adults
Reinaldi Gilder’s new role as the Restorative Justice Navigator at BACS marks a significant development in the organization’s approach to addressing the needs of individuals involved in the justice system. As the only position of its kind in BACS and the county, this program aims to pilot restorative justice practices that can potentially be replicated across teams.
The program, led by a dedicated team, brings together participants aged 18-24 who have been selected due to their involvement in Behavioral Court for an 8-week group session. The group discussions cover topics such as root cause analysis, re-integration, and accountability. Role-playing exercises are also used to help participants practice difficult conversations and maintain composure.
By piloting this program, BACS hopes to create a model that promotes healing, restoration, and accountability, ultimately benefiting both individuals and the community.
Read the full story on our website.
Paige’s New Chapter: Safe, Stable, and Thriving
At 70, Paige had spent years cycling through the underlying challenges of our system including homelessness and behavioral health challenges. With compassion and persistence, our Circa60 team supported her every step of the way until she was ready to accept help.
Today, Paige is living safely in her first stable home housing placement in a decade. She’s no longer engaging in prior challenges and is building new connections with peers. Paige’s journey is a powerful reminder: it’s never too late to change.
New Program Launch: Bridge Housing Subsidy Management Now Open!
BACS is excited to announce the launch of our new Bridge Housing Subsidy Management (BHSM) program in Alameda County! BHSM helps people facing homelessness who are at serious health risk find safety and stability while they transition into permanent housing.
Through short-term rental subsidies, landlord mediation, and housing navigation, BHSM bridges the gap for individuals and families on the brink. The program supports people with chronic health conditions, including those impacted by COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, and prioritizes those with a history of homelessness and a verified income source.
BHSM also partners with landlords to maintain affordable housing, prevent displacement, and reduce barriers to long-term housing success. Together, we’re building healthier, more secure futures—one household at a time.
New Approach to Justice: Empowering Young Adults
Reinaldi Gilder’s new role as the Restorative Justice Navigator at BACS marks a significant development in the organization’s approach to addressing the needs of individuals involved in the justice system. As the only position of its kind in BACS and the county, this program aims to pilot restorative justice practices that can potentially be replicated across teams.
The program, led by a dedicated team, brings together participants aged 18-24 who have been selected due to their involvement in Behavioral Court for an 8-week group session. The group discussions cover topics such as root cause analysis, re-integration, and accountability. Role-playing exercises are also used to help participants practice difficult conversations and maintain composure.
Restorative justice complements BACS’ existing work, focusing on making individuals whole again by restoring what was lost or taken away. This approach aligns with BACS’ work with clients who have experienced mental health, substance abuse, and housing challenges. By shifting the focus from punishment to restoration, participants can take responsibility for their actions, apologize to victims, and work towards healing.
Recently, Reinaldi successfully hosted the first restorative justice circle, with participants praising its impact. The three who completed the pilot session bonded strongly and requested a second session. This speaks to the program’s potential for creating meaningful connections and promoting growth. One participant noted, “I understand how my actions can affect others.” Another said, “Most valuable part was learning and understanding community.” A third participant reflected, “I have new life skills and learned more about myself.”
By piloting this program, BACS hopes to create a model that promotes healing, restoration, and accountability, ultimately benefiting both individuals and the community.
Using Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), this Full Service Partnership (FSP) program helps young adults transition back into their communities after being involved with the justice system.
Dasheda’s Story: “Life Has Never Been Better”
When Dasheda Johnson was released from prison after three years, she was determined to rewrite her story—for herself and for her six children. She knew she couldn’t return to the same environment that had held her back, so she made the brave decision to leave her home county, break her life patterns, and search for the support she needed.
At first, that journey was full of frustration. Dasheda cycled through multiple programs that promised stability but never delivered. Then, everything changed when she was accepted into BACS’ transitional housing program at the Holland.
At the Holland, the first thing Dasheda had to face wasn’t housing—it was herself. “I had to learn how to control my attitude,” she shares. The first staff member who made Dasheda comfortable was Ginger. “She was an angel in disguise,” Dasheda says. “The way she communicated with me made me feel heard. It made me want to change.”
For the first time, Dasheda felt like someone genuinely cared. Ginger didn’t just offer support—she listened, encouraged, and walked alongside Dasheda through tough moments. That relationship gave Dasheda the confidence to make meaningful changes: she began addressing how she communicated with others, focusing on positivity, and embracing personal growth.
With Ginger’s support, Dasheda got a job, secured housing she could afford, and started building a stable life. “People make mistakes, but that shouldn’t define who they are,” she says. “BACS is a program that gives people like me hope. They hire people who live the ‘Whatever It Takes’ mission—and that made all the difference.”
Today, Dasheda is full of gratitude. She’s proud of how far she’s come, and she’s focused on what lies ahead: continuing to build her future and reuniting with her children.
“Thanks to BACS, I can say that life has never been better.”
BACS Connections: June 2025
$32M Investment in BACS Will Bring Major New Mental Health Center to Hayward
A historic $32 million investment is bringing a major new mental health facility to Alameda County. BACS is proud to lead the creation of the Waypoint Mental Health Rehabilitation Center in Hayward, which will add 83 urgently needed mental health beds to the region. This project is made possible through support from Governor Newsom, the State of California, Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services, and the City of Hayward. With construction beginning soon, this center will soon become a vital lifeline for community members in crisis—offering stabilization, connection, and a path toward long-term recovery.
BACS Leading Behavioral Health Conversations
We’re proud to have experts like Harjit Singh Gill, MA, LCSW, representing BACS at the California Health & Human Services Agency ‘s Behavioral Health Task Force Meeting —a statewide panel working to inform and advance California’s behavioral health agenda through collaboration, learning, and community-driven solutions.
Harjit joined a powerful discussion on BHSA and BH-Connect, emphasizing the importance of state, county, and provider partnerships. Harjit joined a discussion about BHSA and BH-Connect, emphasizing how vital it is for state, county, and provider systems to work together. Drawing from his experience on the frontlines, Harjit spoke powerfully about the importance of aligning policy with real community needs. His insights are helping shape a more equitable and effective future for behavioral health.
Catch Harjit’s segment around the 43-minute mark: Watch here
BACS & Faraji House: Healing Together
In East Oakland, BACS is part of a powerful collaboration is helping women rebuild their lives. Faraji House—a 9-bed transitional home founded by Hilda Nguthu-Bell—offers safety and support to women overcoming domestic violence and homelessness. The word Faraji means “consolation” in Swahili, and the home lives up to its name.
BACS stepped in to help bring Hilda’s vision to life, providing funding for ADA upgrades, new furnishings, and hands-on operational support. Now, Faraji House is a warm, healing environment where women can begin again. “BACS’ hand holding gave me confidence and validity,” says Hilda. Together, we’re proving that partnerships rooted in care can change lives.
From Crisis to Career: John Finds His Way Back
Transformation is possible.
With the support of our LIFT team, John has worked hard to turn his life around. He’s gone from struggling with homelessness, incarceration, and substance abuse to achieving stability and independence.
He’s got a place to call home, a steady job at FedEx, and has been sober for 2 years. He’s even reunited with his kids and become a proud grandfather.
We’re proud of him and the progress he’s made. Our LIFT team has helped many others achieve stability and independence every day.
Living the Four Agreements
BACS’ Compliance Department recently came together for a powerful in-person training centered on Don Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements—guiding principles that promote emotional intelligence and personal integrity: Be impeccable with your word. Don’t take anything personally. Don’t make assumptions. Always do your best.
Designed and led by BACS supervisors, the workshop created a space for 23 staff members to reflect on these ideas, discuss how they apply to daily work, and strengthen bonds across departments. The result? A more connected team grounded in shared values that support both wellness and accountability—a true reflection of BACS’ culture of care.
Anna’s House Welcomes Families Home
In 2024, BACS opened Anna’s House—a safe haven in East Oakland for mothers and children overcoming trauma. The home is named in memory of Anna, a beloved community member who lost her life after enduring domestic violence and homelessness. Today, her legacy lives on as three mothers and five young children, ages 3 to 10, find safety, healing, and community within these walls. Funded entirely through donations made in Anna’s honor, the home is more than shelter—it’s a sanctuary where families can rebuild and children can feel safe.
Support mothers to get out of homelessness: https://bayareacs.org/donate-anna/
Uplifting the Community, One Event at a Time
At the 2025 Community Connect Fair at the Oakland Coliseum, our team welcomed over 400 people to our tables, offering housing assessments, job leads, and essential resources. By the end of the day, 34 people had completed housing assessments, and 150 people had taken the first step toward employment. With more than 1,000 attendees and dozens of service providers on-site, the Coliseum pulsed with possibility.
We also joined the Vietnamese American Community Center of the East Bay for their Spring Health Fair. Despite chilly weather, the event was buzzing with warmth, music, and joy. We connected with more than 100 neighbors about mental health, housing, and support—proving once again that culturally-rooted community spaces are vital to well-being.
Finally, BACS participated in the 2025 East Bay Rental Housing Association Collaborative, where we connected with over 200 housing providers and partner organizations. These relationships are key to expanding access, breaking down barriers, and creating new housing opportunities for people in need.
Each event was different—but together, they reflect what makes BACS unique: showing up with care, forming real partnerships, and never missing an opportunity to meet people where they are.
Women’s Wellness Workshop
At BACS’ North County Wellness Center, more than 40 women gathered for a joyful and healing Women’s Wellness Workshop filled with delicious food, laughter, and support. The event brought together local partners like Men and Women of Valor, The Family Justice Center, and Rising Sun to share resources and strengthen connections. It was more than a workshop—it was a celebration of sisterhood, empowerment, and the power of showing up. The energy was infectious, the feedback was glowing, and one message rang loud and clear: our community is hungry for more events like this.
Rooted in Connection: A Day of Teamwork, Healing, and Growth
The recent BACS team-building event was a resounding success—energizing staff, deepening connections, and renewing our shared sense of purpose. We gathered for a community lunch, shared potluck desserts, and participated in a dynamic mix of activities designed to strengthen teamwork and enhance our skills in client care.
More than 80 staff members showed up, representing diverse teams including HEAT, LIFT, Circa 60, PAIGE, RISE, CARE FSP, and CARE Outreach & Engagement. The leadership team kicked off the day with engaging icebreakers, then guided participants through eight interactive learning stations: Art Therapy, DBT Skills, Team Building, Tactile Grounding, Motivational Speaking, and Strategies to Reduce Burnout.
Staff praised the event for creating meaningful connections, reducing stress, and offering fresh perspectives. Inspired by its impact, we’re excited to bring similar initiatives to more of our teams—promoting a culture of support, growth, and resilience across BACS.
Donate Cryptocurrency
Crypto has been up and down recently – why not take advantage of the change by donating your coins to help neighbors in need? Donating cryptocurrency is a non-taxable event, which means you can support our cause while enjoying unmatched tax benefits. Learn more here: https://thegivingblock.com/resources/why-donate-bitcoin/?_ga=2.232453661.347986391.1749845850-797024267.1749845849
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