BACS Secures Over $2.8 Million to Expand Housing Solutions in Yolo County
BACS is excited to announce a major expansion to our new services in partnership with Yolo County, where we will purchase properties to create safe, permanent housing.
“We are honored to expand our impact into Yolo County and bring much-needed housing stability to its residents,” said Jamie Almanza, CEO of BACS. “This investment will directly address the critical shortage of housing for those who are struggling and provide supportive services that can change lives.”
BACS will be getting people out of homelessness in to secure housing. We will provide housing support and independent living skills, care coordination, and substance use support and behavioral health referrals.
In the last ten years, BACS has launched partnerships in five new counties, responding to the need for comprehensive, integrated behavioral health and housing solutions in local communities. BACS is committed to addressing the complex challenges of homelessness and behavioral health with tailored support that meets the unique needs of each community. In 2023 alone, BACS helped 2,820 households remain housed and supported over 3,100 individuals with behavioral health crisis services.
Learn more about our Yolo programs on our website: https://bayareacs.org/yolo-county/
Growth and Change on the BACS Website
As BACS grows, we adapt to neighborhood and community need – and our website must do the same. We want our site to be a vibrant platform where people can learn about BACS, seek assistance, and get involved.
While you can see all the changes at www.bayareacs.org, here are a few highlights:
- The home page now leads with our vision and the impacts from our most recent annual report! We keep our data transparently front-and-center, and you can see right away the impacts BACS is having.
- The Ways to Give page has expanded – people can make BACS’ work possible through many different methods, including donating an old vehicle to BACS! If you or anybody you know wants to donate, they can visit bayareacs.org/ways-to-give/
- Our Get Help page is now a fantastic resource, broken down by county, to help people looking for support. We have so many programs taking unique approaches to behavioral health and homelessness. If you or anybody you know wants to get connected, visit bayareacs.org/get-help
Raising the BACS Minimum Wage & Supporting Our Team
We’re thrilled to announce a major transformation at BACS! Our agency is growing, and we’re implementing a comprehensive organizational structure change to support our expansion and better serve our staff, partners, and communities. This change includes new leadership roles, enhanced departments, and a two-tier structure to our Program Manager position, providing clear paths for professional growth and development.
As we embark on this new chapter, we are also recognizing the hard work and dedication of our admin staff with well-deserved raises! With our fresh structure and commitment to growth, there has never been a better time to join our team. Look for openings here: https://bayareacs.org/careers/
Alameda County Recognizes BACS Employment Placement Program’s Strengths
At the heart of BACS’ mission is a commitment not just to help as many people as possible, but to ensure that the support we provide is of the highest quality.
That’s why we’re excited to share that our Individualized Placement and Support (IPS) program recently received top marks in Alameda County’s IPS Fidelity Report, underscoring our dedication to excellence and transparency in delivering evidence-based services.
Our IPS program is designed to support individuals with complex needs, behavioral health challenges, co-occurring disorders, and/or those experiencing homelessness. Using an evidence-based model, we help participants discover their career aspirations, prepare for work, and secure competitive, satisfying employment. Our goal is to get people working quickly, with a focus on personalized support and assertive engagement.
Key Highlights:
- Caseload size: We served a lot of people, while ensuring personalized attention and support for each participant.
- Agency focus on competitive employment: Our emphasis on securing competitive jobs aligns with our mission to help individuals achieve meaningful jobs that promote well-being, earn fair wages, and include benefits.
- Diversity of job types & employers: We successfully placed participants in a variety of job types and industries, catering to diverse skills, interests, and strengths.
- Assertive engagement and outreach: Our integrated treatment team’s proactive approach to engaging participants and outreach efforts were recognized, ensuring comprehensive support throughout the employment journey.
These exceptional results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. Learn more on our website.
Contra Costa County Resource Fair
Join BACS and presenting sponsor Wells Fargo for the Contra Costa Community Connect Prevention & Resource Fair!
October 17, 2024 | noon to 3 p.m. | 3105 Willow Pass Rd, Bay Point, CA 94565
Join us at the Contra Costa Community Connect Prevention & Resource Fair for a wide range of resources available to our community members! Explore legal services, housing navigation and prevention assistance, behavioral health support, food, raffles and more. For any questions, reach out to communityengagement@bayareacs.org
Alameda County Community Connect
- Over 1,000 community members attended
- Our table had 300+ visitors learning about our services
- We did 49 housing assessments
- We got 52 job seekers on a path towards employment
BACS Brings Supportive Services to Oakland Pride
On Sunday, September 8th, BACS proudly tabled at Oakland Pride, an annual celebration of LGBTQ+ identity, diversity, and inclusivity. This vibrant event united individuals, organizations, and allies from across the Bay Area to promote pride and self-expression in all its forms.
BACS connected with the community at Oakland Pride, educating attendees on vital mental health and housing resources. Our team highlighted the importance of addressing these interconnected needs to support the well-being and stability of all, especially marginalized individuals.
By combining LGBTQ+ pride with mental health support and housing resources, Oakland Pride and BACS demonstrated the power of community and the importance of addressing the whole person – mind, body, spirit, and home. Together, we can create a more compassionate, inclusive, and supportive space for all individuals to thrive.
Black Hair Independence Day
Every year on July 3rd, we celebrate Black Hair Independence Day, also known as the anniversary of the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act. For the past five years, this day has marked a significant step towards ending racial discrimination based on hair texture and protective hairstyles (including braids, twists, locks, loose hair, and spiral curls) in public schools and workplaces.
This legislation is crucial because many people face discrimination in both educational and professional settings due to their natural hair. Children should be able to attend school without the fear of being sent home for wearing their hair naturally. Similarly, individuals should not be deemed “unprofessional” because of their hair. At BACS we emphasize the importance of giving our partners access to barbers and braiders. This resource, that many of us may take for granted, is important to our partners because it could make a difference in getting employment and restoring dignity.
As of now, the CROWN Act has been passed in 26 states, but there are still 24more states to go! The journey continues, but each step forward brings us closer to a society where natural hair is embraced and respected.
Is Your Car Going to Turn Into A Pumpkin?
Donate your unwanted car, truck, motorcycle, RV, bike, kayak or boat to support BACS in Cartober! Your donation will immediately help people experiencing homelessness or behavioral health challenges.
Easy and Free Process
- Go to careasy.org and enter BACS as the charity of choice.
- Enter your contact information and schedule a pickup time.
- The CARS representative will come, check your ownership papers, and load the vehicle onto the truck. Your vehicle can be in any condition.
- 100% of your donation is tax deductible! Proceeds will be used to make a positive impact in the community
So far, car donations have raised nearly $14,000 for BACS.
Donate your unwanted vehicle today and contribute to the amazing work of BACS! The process is easy and free, and we’ll use the proceeds to uplift individuals, families, and communities by doing “whatever it takes.”
Go to: https://cartober.com/nonprofit/bay-area-community-service
