BACS Connections August 2016

August 22, 2016

Board of Directors Accepting Applications

BACS is excited to announce that our Board of Directors is now accepting applications!

Our mission is to uplift under-served individuals and their families by doing whatever it takes. BACS is the leading provider of recovery-oriented behavioral health services. We operate the largest program to end homelessness in the Bay Area, which sees more than 80% of participants go in to permanent housing. Our Senior Day Programs are the most popular and affordable option in the Bay Area, providing engaging day services for elders with memory disorders.

If you share the BACS mission, want to give back to our community, and are interested in joining the BACS Board of Directors, fill out the Board of Directors Application and return it via email to Nora Daly.

Prevention Engagement Program Celebrates 2 Years

BACS is pleased to celebrate the 2 year anniversary of BACS’ Prevention Engagement Program (PEP).

BACS opened PEP, a prevention and early intervention program, in 2014 to fill a crucial need in the community: brief services for individuals exiting inpatient hospital stays, or experiencing early-stage behavioral health issues, who need support to prevent relapse and promote well-being. PEP was also BACS’ first program in Solano, and opened the door for us to provide many more services.

Our PEP team has made a huge difference in Solano County. Happy anniversary, and congratulations on all your hard work! Learn more about our Prevention & Early Intervention programs here.

First Graduate from SAGE Program

When the Homeless Action Center referred her to BACS, Jane (pseudonym) was in the process of applying for Supplemental Securities Income (SSI). She was struggling to connect to community providers and resources, and she needed support to get the benefits she qualifies for.

Jane was independent, and had substantial family support, and was determined to get SSI and support herself independently. BACS’ Success At Generating Empowerment (SAGE) program staff worked with Jane to get her the resources she needed.

This month, Jane is celebrating getting SSI benefits because she feels that she can finally support herself, and is finally more connected to community resources.

Congratulations to Jane, and to the SAGE staff who helped her achieve this success!

Staff Appreciation BBQ Picnic

BACS hosted our 2nd Annual Staff Appreciation BBQ Picnic this month at Lake Chabot! Over 100 staff, friends, and family members of BACS spent a beautiful day in the sunshine playing lawn games, enjoying grilled goodies, and winning exciting prizes like a new iPad, massage gift cards, and a gift card to the Claremont hotel.

We announced several exciting staff programs based on feedback, including a comprehensive and ongoing training program, a tuition reimbursement program, and more.

BACS is fortunate to have an incredible, talented, and dedicated staff. Thank you to everyone who came!

The Claremont Donates to BACS

The historic Claremont Club & Spa, A Fairmont Hotel, in Berkeley has made an incredibly generous donation to BACS! Rachelle Owen, Board Secretary on the BACS Board of Directors, helped connect The Claremont Club & Spa to BACS.

The Claremont Club & Spa donated nearly $10,000 worth of linens, which were delivered to our Housing Fast Support Network and our Crisis Residential Treatment facility. This donation empowers BACS to focus on our bigger goals – ending homelessness permanently, and ensuring quality care and support for everyone with behavioral health issues. Every year, BACS provides services to more than 2,000 individuals in need.

To learn more about our generous donor, the Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel, visit their website!

Amazon Smile

Did you know that just by shopping on Amazon, you can donate to BACS? Amazon Smile donates a portion of your purchase to your selected non-profit, and BACS is registered on Amazon Smile!

Visit smile.amazon.com. Hover your mouse over the charity you currently support, and in the dialogue box, click Change Your Charity.
On the next page, type Bay Area Community Services into the search bar, click search, then select BACS.
Visit Amazon Smile every time you shop for the same deals and inventory, with the added bonus of donating to BACS!

If you would like a more detailed explanation of how to sign up for Amazon Smile, email us at bacs@bayareacs.org.

Employee of the Month

Congratulations to our August Employee of the Month – Soren Perry, Support Counselor in BACS’ Solano County programs.

Soren is the embodiment of two BACS values, Accountability and Integrity. He has worked with our Solano programs since the beginning, and recently helped to develop and start our SHAPE program. He delivers critical, excellent services to our participants, while being a great team member who supports his colleagues.

Soren says: “I enjoy ‘meeting clients where they are’ and spending time with them. I also like to support other staff by helping them grow in their jobs. I sense some people have come to experience more hope and stability and that is wonderful to have been a small part of.”

Congratulations, Soren, and thank you for all you have done and continue to do to make our agency and program so strong!

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.

BACS Connections July 2016

July 25, 2016

Program Anniversaries

BACS is pleased to celebrate the two program anniversaries this month: the 5 year anniversary of Oakland Project Connect, and the 3 year anniversary of IPS Supported Employment!

Oakland Project Connect opened in 2011 to fill a crucial need in the community: outreach, housing and financial support, mental health and case management, substance use, and primary care to individuals who are homeless and have mental health issues.

BACS’ IPS program opened in 2013, providing job placement services to help individuals with complex needs find competitive, satisfying, and sustainable employment to uplift them from poverty.

To learn more about either of these programs, visit our website.

Ursula Sears Promoted

Ursula Sears, previously a BACS Peer Counselor, has been promoted internally to Program Supervisor at BACS’ Hedco Wellness Co-Op in Hayward. For more of her story, see our special feature here.

Many congratulations to Ursula, whose promotion is well deserved. She is exemplary of the high caliber BACS staff, many of whom go on to become supervisors and managers!

Longest Day – Memory Care event

On June 21st, Fremont ADC hosted a ‘Longest Day’ event in participation with the Alzheimer’s Association. The Alzheimer’s Association is the leader in Alzheimer’s research and valuable resources for caregivers. The idea to do an event was brought to us by one of our client’s family member who is a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s association.

Our Longest Day event was a popular Pancake Breakfast! Caregivers and clients came out for this special event. Many thanks to Craig from the Alzheimer’s Association, who spoke about caregiver stress and resources they have available to them. Our goal was to raise $500 and we exceeded that goal with online, check and cash donations.

Congratulations to Fremont Adult Day Program staff for hosting this amazing event!

BACS is Hosting a Job Fair

BACS is hosting a job fair! Join us for delicious food, job opportunities, and same day job offers to work for BACS!

Positions available*: Peer Counselor, Personal Services Coordinator, Program Manager, Peer Supervisor, and more!

Join us at 629 Oakland Ave, Oakland CA 94611 on August 12th, from 1:30 to 6:00 p.m.

*Clear background check and driver’s license required.

Rise and Shine at Hedco

BACS’ Hedco Wellness Center is hosting Rise and Shine, a Narcotics Anonymous (NA) every Thursday morning from 10 to 11 a.m..

In community, many of our participants live with addiction or are in recovery, which can complicate or intensify behavioral health symptoms. All BACS services are offered within the framework of ‘harm reduction’, and we are glad to partner with Mission Peaks to provide this support.

Rise and Shine is taking place at 590 B Street, Hayward, every Thursday morning. Rise and Shine is a space for participants to work on their recovery and engage in wellness.

Employee of the Month

Congratulations to our July Employee of the Month – the entire Hope Intervention Program (HIP) team!

This is a rare award, and the whole team really deserves it. The HIP team has grown tremendously in the last two years, evolving into an inspired, youth-centered, and dynamic team. The team is collaborative, culturally-responsive, diverse, and innovative, and models collective integrity.

The work the HIP team is doing has been restorative, centered in humility for our participants and one another, and has really created a program culture that is inclusive and FUN – all while working with some of the hardest-to-reach young people who are experiencing confusion and lack of belonging – coupled with challenges with family and friends, not having a home, substance use, self-harm, LGBTQI issues, and more.

Congratulations to each of the recipients, and to the whole team!

Yvonne Ying, Entrepreneur

After more than 15 years with Bay Area Community Services, Yvonne Ying has left BACS to run her own business.

Yvonne started with BACS as a temp in our Finance Department, and quickly became an integral part of our team. Her entrepreneurial spirit served her well at BACS, as we expanded our program services dramatically during her tenure, and now it will serve her well in her next step.

Yvonne’s business is California Quality Printing, whose dedication to high quality printing services help them stand out. Congratulations, Yvonne, and we will miss you!

Hope Intervention Program Hosts BBQ

This month BACS’ Hope Intervention Program (HIP) hosted a BBQ for TAY (transition aged youth) at Towne House wellness center. Our HIP team wanted to host a community-building event where TAY in Alameda County could come together and build fun relationships. Our staff facilitated activities to help the TAY step out of their comfort zones, with everything from icebreakers to a water balloon fight!

We are glad we could host such a fun and positive event, and we look forward to hosting many more, so that TAY have a safe space in the community to hang out, eat, and chill.

Join Our Cause

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.

BACS Connections June 2016

June 27, 2016

North County Senior Homeless Program Celebrates 9 Years!

BACS is pleased to celebrate the 9 year anniversary of BACS’ North County Senior Homeless Program (NCSHP).

BACS opened NCSHP, a full service partnership program, in 2007 to fill a crucial need in the community: outreach, housing and financial support, mental health and case management, substance use, and primary care to individuals who are homeless and have mental health issues.

Our NCSHP team has made a difference for hundreds of people over the last 9 years. Learn more about our Full Service Partnerships here.

Supported Employment Success

Scot, a participant with BACS’ Supported Employment IPS program, has worked in customer service on and off for years, but due unstable housing he had not been able to maintain employment for longer than a few months. After expressing his interest in going back to work, he had his eyes set on working as a cart attendant. After entertaining several interviews, Scot received a call back from one of his top choices, Target.

Now, he is happily employed at his goal job – congratulations, Scot!

When asked what advice he could give a peer who is discouraged about looking for work, he answered:

“To keep looking for work and not feel discouraged. When I feel discouraged I turn to my higher power for strength and I always listen to other people’s encouragement to keep me going. I go to the Wellness Center when I feel discouraged and talk to my job coach and other staff. Don’t stumble, don’t fall down, just keep getting up like you were young!”

IPS In the News!

The Alameda County BHCS Vocational Program, in collaboration with Bay Area Community Services and other Community Organizations and supporters, recently hosted the Second Annual Northern California Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Learning Conference. The IPS Learning Conference goal was to raise awareness and interest around the IPS Evidenced Based Practice and how meaningful employment facilitates wellness and recovery, hope and self-efficacy, for individuals living with severe and persistent mental illness.

At the conference, over 130 Agency Leaders, Staff, Consumers, Family Members and Advocates, gathered to pose intriguing questions, explore diverse opinions and experiences, challenge assumptions and share successes and struggles – In essence, to learn from one another.

The IPS Conference offered BACS Valley Wellness Center Participant Jeff Y. to share his ‘Back to Work’ story with the audience, which included the support he receives from Valley Wellness Center Employment Coordinator Veronica Pacana. Shortly after, numerous small group dialogues around employment began. There were 11 thematic discussion groups; Our very own BACS Executive Director Jamie Almanza co-facilitated the discussion of “How to Get an IPS Program Started,” while BACS IPS Vocational Program Manager Chris Llorente and Valley Wellness Center Personal Service Coordinator Linda Nguyen facilitated the topic “The Role of IPS on Mental Health Teams.”

To learn more about the Individual Placement and Support model, please visit http://www.dartmouthips.org/. And come join the discussion!

Employee of the Month

Congratulations to our June Employee of the Month – Jimmy Mun, Support Counselor for the Care Management Program.

Jimmy is incredibly dedicated to his work, and always keeps a positive attitude. He improves staff morale across the agency, and in the community where he spends much of his time.

Jimmy is willing to go the distance and to take his team to the next level. Jimmy embodies compassion, professionalism, and a Whatever It Takes approach and that embodies all of the BACS values.

I recall when you first started the conversation we had about how challenging the Care Management work is and that it takes a very special person to see and create resources for the most vulnerable elders of our community out of thin air: and you excel at it!

Jimmy says “I really enjoy the ability to help people that have fallen on hard times and sometimes just need a little assistance to get back on tracks. It can be very rewarding.”

Congratulations, Jimmy, and thank you for all you have done and continue to do to make our agency and program so strong.

Join Our Cause

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.

BACS Connections May 2016

May 18, 2016

BACS Opens New Supported Independent Living Site in Oakland

BACS is delighted to announce our new Supported Independent Living site in East Oakland!

Our SIL sites provide stable and permanent housing, at very low cost, for individuals with complex needs. Each resident is paired with a care coordinator to help them attain independent living skills in a supportive environment, including job support and mental health support. Residents learn skills by sharing responsibilities for cleaning, paying bills, and running their household.

We opened this location in pursuit of our mission to uplift under-served individuals and their families by doing whatever it takes. We also, this month, celebrate the 43 year anniversary of BACS’ Supported Independent Living (SIL) sites!

BACS opened our first Supported Independent Living site in 1973 to fill a crucial need in the community. Our Supported Independent Living sites have made a difference for thousands of people over the last 47 years. Learn more about our SILs here.

Welcoming Porsche Gordon: New BACS Board Member

Porsche Gordon was raised in the Bay Area and graduated from Skyline High School in Oakland before moving across country to attend Howard University in Washington, D.C. At Howard Porsche received her Bachelor of Arts in Management and later, her Master in Business Administration.

Porsche has since returned to the Bay Area to raise her two children and work as a development officer at Stanford University. Porsche has always had a sense of civic duty and is excited to continue her commitment to improve her community by joining the BACS Board of Directors. She brings with her over fourteen years of experience in non-profit fundraising and donor engagement.

Welcome, Porsche!

Making a Difference: Winter Shelter

As part of Oakland’s new model to address the homeless crisis, this winter BACS provided case management to the Winter Shelter (which runs from Nov 15^th to April 15^th) with a focus on targeting services to the most vulnerable and supporting individuals with accessing housing. Over the course of the winter we supported 15 individuals with securing permanent housing, a higher number than ever achieved in previous shelter models. In addition 25 moved in to our Housing Fast Support Network (HFSN) in downtown Oakland, to receive more robust support to achieve their housing goals.

Emily Harris from HFSN stepped in to lead this effort and did a tremendous job, working nightly to achieve these outcomes for our community!

5th Annual We Move for Health Event

We Move for Health Event 2015 — Staff and participants at 2015 We Move for Health

BACS is excited to come out and celebrate the 5th annual We Move for Health event, hosted by 10×10 Wellness. The event is Friday, May 20, 2016 10:00am – 3:00pm at Lake Merrit Bandstand Oakland.

Come out and celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month with us at the 5th Annual We Move for Health Event where we’ll be moving for healthy bodies and minds! This free event is open to all ages and will include a 1.5 mile walk around the beautiful Lake Merrit, Zumba, Chair Yoga, Line Dancing, a Kid’s Zone and many more activities to get our bodies moving.

For more information, visit Alameda County 10×10 Wellness Campaign’s website.

PEERS Partnership

Recently, the Valley Wellness Center Community partnered with PEERS (Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services) for a ‘Reflections and Expressions’ art workshop.

Reflections & Expressions is an art and writing exercise with the purpose of inspiring participants to explore different ways of creating self-empowering messages. The creative process involved in expressing one’s self artistically helps people understand and manage certain behaviors and feelings, reduce stress, improve self-esteem and awareness, and enhance overall wellness.

Thank you PEERS for bringing this wonderful and intentional workshop to the BACS Community. We look forward to continuing this awesome partnership with you!

Employee of the Month

Linda Ngyuen, Personal Services Coordinator at our Valley Wellness Co-Op, is our May Employee of the Month!

Linda was nominated by her co-workers because she always goes above and beyond in her work. She represents BACS’ mission and values in the community, and always does whatever it takes to help.

Linda goes out of her way to attend community events on the weekend, to spread information and help connect people to BACS resources. She is constantly working to improve her work and our services, and attends external trainings whenever she gets the opportunity. Linda does her job with enthusiasm and radiates the ‘whatever it takes’ philosophy.

Linda says, “The most important work I get to do at BACS is being able to connect with all the participants on case management and those coming into the wellness co-op and being able to provide the support and linkage to community services. Plus side is all the amazing and supportive BACS employees I get to interact with on a daily basis.”

Congratulations, Linda!

Welcome to Samuel Merritt College Occupational Therapists!

Occupational Therapists from Samuel Merritt College have worked with BACS at our Memory Care adult day programs in Oakland and Fremont for years. Now, they are starting for the first time at the South County Wellness Center. Thank you for joining us, and welcome!

Join Our Cause

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.

BACS Connections April 2016

April 19, 2016

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 10^th 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

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.

Board of Directors Accepting Applications

Prevention Engagement Program Celebrates 2 Years

First Graduate from SAGE Program

Staff Appreciation BBQ Picnic

The Claremont Donates to BACS

Amazon Smile

Employee of the Month

Join Our Cause

Program Anniversaries

Ursula Sears Promoted

Longest Day – Memory Care event

BACS is Hosting a Job Fair

Rise and Shine at Hedco

Employee of the Month

Yvonne Ying, Entrepreneur

Hope Intervention Program Hosts BBQ

Join Our Cause

North County Senior Homeless Program Celebrates 9 Years!

Supported Employment Success

IPS In the News!

Employee of the Month

Join Our Cause

BACS Opens New Supported Independent Living Site in Oakland

Welcoming Porsche Gordon: New BACS Board Member

Making a Difference: Winter Shelter

5th Annual We Move for Health Event

PEERS Partnership

Employee of the Month

Welcome to Samuel Merritt College Occupational Therapists!

Join Our Cause

Success in Achieving Goals of Empowerment (SAGE)

Happy Anniversary to Wellness Co-Ops!

High School Students at Hedco

10th Anniversary of Books4Us

Valley Shares a Story

Employee of the Month

Join Our Cause

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