Success in Achieving Goals of Empowerment (SAGE)
BACS is delighted to announce our new SSI Advocacy program: SAGE!
BACS Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Advocacy programs serve adults age 18+ who are living with severe mental health issues. Our model is to work with families and natural supports, to help create lasting change.
Our SSI Advocacy programs will do whatever it takes to help individuals in need receive Supplemental Security Income. Without SSI benefits, many participants would face homelessness and serious poverty. Our staff work tirelessly to help every participant receive the SSI benefits they need. These programs include assistance with housing, benefits, primary care, behavioral health, employment, community asset building, and more.
Happy Anniversary to Wellness Co-Ops!
BACS is pleased to celebrate the 47 year anniversary of BACS’ Wellness Co-Ops (originally called the Creative Living Centers).
BACS opened our Wellness Co-Ops in 1969 to fill a crucial need in the community: welcoming and accessible community spaces for individuals living with behavioral health issues. Our Wellness Co-Ops offer classes and programs, skills-building, and behavioral health services.
Our Wellness Co-Ops have made a difference for thousands of people over the last 47 years. Learn more about our Wellness Co-Ops here.
Thank you to everyone who makes our Wellness Co-Ops special!
High School Students at Hedco
BACS has been hosting interns from a local high school, helping give them exposure to mental health services at the community level, and connecting participants at Hedco to these incredible students.
We had a class of 40+ High School Students from the Public Charter School in Hayward. The students distributed hygiene kits to our participants, and raffled off blankets to several of our clients. They also hosted a bake sale and raised funds to donate to BACS. Staff and clients gave speeches to the students about their experiences with mental health and homelessness. The students helped to serve lunch to the clients as well. Thanks to Ursula Sears, Peer Counselor, for coordinating, and speaking to the students. The clients were thrilled to have the kind support of these students.
10th Anniversary of Books4Us
BACS Adult Day program is proud to announce the 10th Anniversary celebration of Books4US, a weekly memory enhancement program enjoyed by our attendees. Books4Us is the brainchild of C.J. Kuhne, founder of Insenescence, Inc. (which means ‘growing old with vigor’). Following a debilitating automobile accident in 2004, C.J. had to relearn speech and ambulation, and during her cognitive recovery she incepted Books4Us and began to market it to senior programs and communities as a memory-boosting activity.
Fast forward a decade and BACS Adult Day program attendees and staff have selected, read, dissected, and discussed 11 works of literary art from Nobel Prize winning author Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon to best-selling macabre novelist Stephen King’s Under The Dome.
This was a wonderful celebration of a decade of memory support and continued learning. As C.J. has stated, “Insenescence is about people, not the organization, not a philosophy – it is about human beings improving each other’s lives. I am honored to have been able to share the stories and lives of so many participants over the past ten years.”
Valley Shares a Story
Jason E., a participant at our Valley Wellness Co-Op in Pleasanton, shared his feedback about the center with our community:
“The Wellness Center community offers a compassionate and understanding ear to those people in society whose voice is not heard by those around them. People in our society who do not feel loved or cared about will be warmly greeted upon their first visit to our close-knit community, and will be assisted, heard, understood, and, most of all, loved by the members of our Wellness Center community. In short, they will discover a treasure of hope that they did not know existed.”
To see the rest of his story, visit our Facebook.
Employee of the Month
Nerrisa Calagno-Mendoza, Administrative Coordinator, is our April Employee of the Month!
Nerrisa is the embodiment of our motto: “whatever it takes.” Her values of integrity, accountability and our mission of doing whatever it takes shines bright from Nerrisa to helping others do the direct service. During our Human Resources Director’s vacation, she has completely taken over all HR functions, while preparing for leave and on-boarding her assistant, without skipping a beat! She has done job fairs, special accommodations, and extra help, and always says “yes” with a smile.
She is someone who in a time of growth, BACS needs on our side. She is splendid, takes feedback exceptionally and uses it to grow. She values integrity, welcoming, and excellence. She is flexible, professional, and get the job done.
Congratulations, Nerrisa!
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? 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.
