BACS Provides Aid to Residents Affected by Recent Oakland Fire
On January 19, a devastating three-alarm fire at 1770 Broadway displaced dozens of Oakland families who lost their homes and belongings in an instant. While firefighters acted swiftly to evacuate residents and contain the blaze, our neighbors now face the difficult journey of rebuilding their lives.
The City of Oakland has partnered with BACS (Bay Area Community Services) to serve as the central provider for displaced residents, offering services, financial assistance, and critical support resources. “For more than 73 years, BACS has stepped in during moments like these with strength, conviction, and expertise, and we will walk alongside every single person and family until they are safely rehoused and can begin to heal from this trauma,” says BACS CEO Jamie Almanza.
Mayor Barbara Lee is calling on the Oakland community to stand together. Your contributions will directly help residents secure new housing, replace essential belongings, and begin their recovery. Every dollar makes a difference for families working to regain their sense of security and home.
Our community is strongest when we take care of each other. Please give what you can today.
https://bayareacs.org/1700broadway/
Welcoming New Board Member Hilda Nguthu-Bell
BACS is proud to announce Hilda Nguthu-Bell as our newest board member. A psychiatric nurse at Sutter Health and originally from Kenya, Hilda brings a powerful combination of clinical expertise, nonprofit leadership, and lived experience that strengthens our board’s capacity to serve our community.
Hilda is the founder of Faraji House, a transitional home supporting women and families in East Oakland. “Faraji” means “consolation” in Swahili, a fitting name that reflects her deep commitment to uplifting those in need. Her extensive background includes expertise in intimate partner violence, therapeutic care, and corporate healthcare infrastructure, making her an invaluable addition to our leadership.
BACS and Faraji House have worked together to ensure those mothers and families affected by Intimate Partner Violence are united in their service offerings. CEO Jamie Almanza championed her nomination to bring critical clinical and therapeutic representation to the board. The board expressed strong and enthusiastic support for her appointment.
BACS is proud to collaborate with Hilda and support her vision for strengthening our community. Welcome to the BACS family, Hilda!
New Beginnings: Árbol and REGIS Village Open Doors
We’re thrilled to share two exciting updates!
REGIS Village Opens in Hayward: The first residents moved into their new permanent supportive housing units, marking a major milestone in our efforts to end homelessness. The 70-unit campus offers housing, healthcare, and support services, prioritizing those with the greatest need.
Árbol Open House in Sacramento: We celebrated the opening of Árbol, our newest multi-service center, with friends from Sacramento County Behavioral Health Services and the community. Thanks to everyone who joined us for the festivities.
Donations Driving Change
We’re proud to highlight some amazing donations that are changing lives. The Prabhakar family has been partnering with BACS for over a decade, donating winter clothing and essentials to those in need.
A bike giveaway was a huge hit, with 10 refurbished bikes (thanks to Kids Bike Lane) bringing freedom and joy to recipients, including Rachel’s kids.
The Black Staff and Faculty Organization and UCOP also stepped up, donating 10 Home in a Basket. Filled with essentials like kitchenware, bedding, toiletries, and grocery store gift cards, Homes in a Basket make a huge difference in helping clients settle into their new homes.
SNAP Failed, BACS Stepped Up
The cuts to SNAP benefits hurts millions of people across America. Close to home, we know that many of the people we serve with behavioral health challenges and housing insecurity are at risk of going hungry. Our CORE Cedar leadership in Sacramento stepped up.
The Cedar team rallied together and started collecting food. The leadership also made donations which allowed 50 families to receive meals. Ongoing, we are connecting clients with additional resources and doing everything we can to make food available for people in need until SNAP benefits are restored and people can make up for lost time.
Community Engagement Events Round-up
The BACS community engagement team was proud to connect with the community at four standout events.
Oakland Chinatown’s Night Market was a lively celebration, celebrating vibrant culture and supporting local businesses.
We joined the City of Berkeley’s celebration of Latine heritage, featuring the breathtaking Cuauhtli Mitotiani Mexica Youth Group performance.
Our Black August event brought together over 500 people to honor Black freedom fighters and celebrate resilience, thanks to Boss Bay Area.
The House of Loving Hands community BBQ was a heartwarming celebration of unity, resilience, and hope, with food, games, and resources
Success Story
When Wilmer faced housing crisis on a Friday before a long weekend, Breanna at our Cedar CORE site in Sacramento sprang into action. She secured a safe transfer to a new room, plus a rent credit, ensuring the client’s stability and access to treatment.
As Breanna put it, “An honor to serve,” – her dedication and compassion are illustrative of the care our team brings daily.
Wilmer echoed this sentiment, sharing, “My case manager has been helpful and understanding.”
Thanks to Breanna’s quick advocacy, Wilmer stayed stable, and a potential crisis was averted, highlighting the power of compassionate care in action.
Gratitude for our Partnership with Options Recovery
We are Grateful for Partners like Options Recovery. They do vital work in substance use disorder support. Thanks Justin Phillips & team for being crucial to our continuum of care!
