Born and raised in Hayward, Arcadio’s life took a difficult turn after losing his wife of 30 years. He gave their home to his son and moved in with his girlfriend, seeking a fresh start.

However, when the pandemic hit, Arcadio and his partner struggled to make ends meet. They could no longer afford the rent, and Arcadio found himself homeless for the first time. After a period of sleeping in storage units and parks, his partner suggested BACS, but he was initially leery about seeking help.

Despite his reservations, Arcadio took a chance on BACS, and it proved to be a turning point. With our guidance and support, he received essential services, including furniture, moving assistance, and a safe place to call home. BACS also helped with paperwork, making the transition smoother.

Arcadio was blown away by the kindness and compassion of the BACS team. Sadly, his girlfriend has since passed away, but he takes comfort in knowing she would have loved their new little home. He’s grateful for the compassionate team at BACS and the second chance he’s been given.

“People at BACS go out of their way for you. I wasn’t too sure. I was leery. My girlfriend said, ‘Let them do it their way.’ It was really something. I don’t know where I’d be without them.”

As Arcadio looks to the future, he’s focused on addressing some health concerns and getting back on his feet. Though it’s hard for him to be without a partner, he’s thankful to have his son in his life. He’s determined to rebuild his life and is encouraged by the sense of community he’s found through BACS.

“I’m in shock now. I’m so happy. They did everything. I have a place to sit, sleep, and a roof over our head. Hopefully it will work out.”

Today, Arcadio looks forward to continuing his journey towards stability, health, and happiness, surrounded by memories of his loved ones, his loyal dog, and the support of his son.

When Abiye “Abby” first connected with BACS in September 2020, stability felt like a distant dream. For years, housing had been uncertain—moving from place to place, staying in a hotel, and navigating the daily stress of not having a place to truly call home. But in December 2024, everything changed. With the help of BACS, Abby moved into a new home near Lake Merritt, a space that finally felt safe, comfortable, and his own.

The transition wasn’t immediate. “The first year was just shock—Oh My God, I finally have a place of my own,” Abby recalls. The second year, I was still getting used to the fact that my housing was stable and consistent. And then, finally, it sunk in: I belong here. I’m part of society.”

For Abby, getting housed wasn’t just about finding a place to live—it was about reclaiming control over his life. Before BACS, he jumped at the first available housing opportunity just to escape hotel living. In hindsight, he realized that having choice matters, and through BACS’ support, he found a space that truly worked for his well-being.

Learning to Set Boundaries

With housing came another important lesson: boundaries. “I started treating my house like a castle, and I’m the king,” he says. “I make the decisions, and I respect my space. If someone doesn’t respect my house, they don’t respect me—so I cut them out of my life.”

In the past, Abby found himself trusting too easily, allowing people into his life who didn’t always have his best interests at heart. Now, he’s more selective. “I pick and choose who I allow in my space. If they’re not family or close friends, I keep them at a distance. Housing is too precious to risk. I’ve learned to hold it close and protect it.”

Setting Goals and Rebuilding Relationships

With stable housing, Abby also noticed a shift in his relationships. “When you have stable housing, people see you differently. There’s more respect. People I’ve known for ten years started coming around again, and I was able to reconnect.”

But he’s also careful about how he nurtures relationships. “I keep people at arm’s length when needed, but I still invite them into my life—just in a different way. Instead of always having people in my home, we meet up for activities outside. I’ve learned to enjoy my space, to decorate it, to cook, to have hobbies that make me happy. My house became a stepping stone for self-expression.”

Looking Toward the Future

Abby isn’t just surviving—he’s thriving. At 44, he’s embracing new opportunities, including pursuing an education in data analysis. With the help of an educational scholarship, he’s taking a statistics class and learning computer skills that will help him break into the tech field. “I’m surrounded by like-minded people, making friends, and building something for myself,” he shares.

His goals don’t stop there. With his own kitchen, Abby has started cooking healthier meals—baked chicken with potatoes, carrots, and broccoli, and experimenting with different spaghetti sauces. “Now that I have my own space, I use it. I cook, I take care of my home, and I make sure it always feels like a place I want to be.”

And perhaps most importantly, Abby wants to inspire others who are on the same path he once walked. “If I can help future clients by sharing my success story, I will. Because it is possible to get through this, to come out the other side, and to build a life that makes you proud.”

On a scale of one to ten? Abby gives himself a ten. And he’s just getting started.

Jamie Almanza, CEO of BACS, met Ken Oliver, Chief Innovation Officer of The Just Trust, looking to join forces for justice-involved individuals.  We clicked immediately, even as he asked, “what is this woman dressed this way in my hood?” Our CEO loves to thrift and wears 4 inch heels even when helping people out of encampments. “You never look at Ken and see how many years he spent in solitary,” said Jamie, continuing “His spirit and joy shine through.”  They bonded over shared visions for freedom and community integration.

The BACS team are first responders – on the front lines of behavioral health and homelessness – which takes dedication, motivation, and passion. As CEO, my job is to support every single team member to make real transformation possible. So BACS invited our colleague, Ken Oliver, who has lived the life inside and out of the most serious carceral system, to teach and motivate the 90+ members of our leadership team and bring that learning to the streets.

Ken joined BACS to share his experience inside the justice system. Ken’s presentation and Q&A support our team’s learning and advocacy as we continue to build pathways for successful reintegration and advocate for justice-impacted individuals through comprehensive support services.

Jamie recalled, “A few years ago, Ken called me with an urgent request: he was working with a gentleman, just two hours after his release from Santa Rita, who would be falling into homelessness… unless BACS had a place for him. I met them both at one of our homes, did the intake, and handed him his keys an hour later. We all shed a tear and Ken said ‘whatever you need… BACS really does whatever it takes. When the CEO pulls up, conducts a low barrier interview, and welcomes him home.’ The incarceration system is set up for punishment, not rehabilitation, and we want do build a society with windows, not bars.”

Ken’s journey—from serving 24 years in prison, including 10 years in solitary confinement, to becoming a leading voice in criminal justice reform—provided valuable insights into the transformative power of second chances.

Ken shared how his successful civil rights lawsuit led to his release in 2019, and how he’s dedicated himself to improving reentry programs. His advocacy for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) continues to drive major change, including securing $28.5 million in California’s budget for reentry housing. His message reinforced the importance of dignity, opportunity, and respect for justice-impacted individuals.

At BACS, we are deeply committed to supporting people in their reentry journey, offering housing, behavioral health services, and employment support to formerly incarcerated individuals. Our programs aim to break down barriers and provide the stability needed for successful reintegration. Ken’s story and message reinforced the vital role of organizations like BACS in advocating for second chances and creating systems that empower individuals to thrive.

When Victor first connected with BACS in September 2020, he was sleeping in a park in Oakland, searching for a way out. He had been struggling with homelessness, isolation, and substance use, unsure where to turn. That same day, BACS placed him in a hotel, providing immediate stability and a glimmer of hope. From there, he was connected with a Housing Locator and moved into his first apartment, a major milestone in his journey. But challenges persisted—his struggles with alcohol abuse led to a serious health crisis, landing him in the hospital and causing him to lose his housing.

Victor recalls a pivotal moment when he realized he had to make a change: “I called 911 on myself. I was destroying my body from head to toe, isolating myself. I had to focus on not drinking and pulling myself out of this.” With BACS’ continued support, he got medical care, started working with a case manager, and received the attention and encouragement he needed to heal. He spent a year in a nursing home relearning how to walk, moving from a wheelchair to a walker, then to crutches, and today, he uses a cane for balance.

Through all of this, Victor remained focused on rebuilding his life. He learned to set boundaries, saying no to negativity and unhealthy lifestyle choices. He changed his diet, embracing vegan foods to support his recovery. He committed himself to setting and achieving goals—working to regain his driver’s license, building his small business selling art and books, and finding ways to stay positive and active.

Now, Victor lives in a studio apartment with a beautiful view, walking distance from the library, BART station, and local stores. He describes himself as a “TEN” on a scale of 1 to 10. “My energy is now focused on a brighter future,” and his next chapter includes growing his art business, attending fairs and festivals, and using his experiences to inspire others. He also dreams of helping shape future BACS programs, particularly those focused on addiction recovery, healthy living, and family reunification. His book, The Love You Lost, reflects on these themes, offering hope to others on similar journeys.