In the heart of East Oakland, the doors of Anna’s House swung wide open today – a beautiful, unique home for single mothers and children battling homelessness.

Anna’s House, BACS’ newest permanent housing site, will provide safe, stable housing for single mothers and their children in Oakland. 

The grand opening unfolded as a vibrant celebration of resilience and community, with major guests including Aurora, Anna’s child, and Jackie Downing, a cherished friend and key force behind the fundraising that breathed life into this transformative project, as well as many community members, donors, BACS team members, and partners from other organizations that will help residents thrive.

Anna’s House is not just a shelter; it is a testament to the critical role of community support. Named after Anna, a mother, sister, daughter, and friend who tragically lost her life after years of struggling with trauma resulting from sexual violence, Anna’s House stands as a tribute to her memory, and honors the resilience of her child Aurora. The down payment for Anna’s House was made possible through funds donated in Anna’s honor, and the ongoing fundraising efforts are geared towards renovating and furnishing the home to provide a stable and nurturing environment for mothers and their children.

(See the album on Facebook for easy sharing to your network)

Situated on a residential street in East Oakland, Anna’s House occupies a 1,390 square feet property with a spacious backyard. The home is designed to accommodate two suites, each featuring two bedrooms and a private bathroom. Beyond the living quarters, Anna’s House will boast a shared kitchen, living room, dining room, laundry room, and playroom. The expansive backyard will provide a safe and nurturing space for children, complete with play areas, fruit trees, and gardens.

Anna’s House is strategically located near other BACS properties and in close proximity to the Roots Community Health Center, which primarily serves low-income Black residents. Roots Community Health Center is enthusiastic about collaborating on this project by referring clients in need of housing and offering health and wellness services to the mothers and children residing in Anna’s House. BACS will provide ongoing case management, conflict resolution, and connections to various services and programs.

The grand opening of Anna’s House was a poignant reminder of the power of community, compassion, and collective action. With continued support and fundraising efforts, Anna’s House is poised to become a cornerstone in the community, offering stability, healing, and hope to those who need it most.

We still need to raise:

• $265,240 to pay off the mortgage and renovation costs
• About $4,000 per month to cover utilities, maintenance and services

Total goal for year one: $315,000

We also seek to create a $1 million endowment fund to support Anna’s House. A fund of this size will produce enough annual income to fully cover the cost of operating the house.

How you can help:

• Make a one-time gift to help us reach our $315,000 goal 
• Sign up for monthly recurring donations to help us with monthly expenses
• Spread the word and introduce us to other potential donors and foundations

Get involved today, or learn more!

Major thanks to those who have already donated:

• Anonymous
• Crankstart
• Stolte Foundation (including Jackie Downing, Jamie Almanza, and others)
• Alderyn Fund
• Julia Gharamani Foundation
• Kimberly Wright
• Petra Loer
• Love Cultivating Assets Fund
• Anat Shenker-Osorio
• The Lygia Fund
• Jackie Downing
• Joanne Karchmar
• James Atkins
• Paul Wann