Bay Area Community Services (BACS)

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BACS Connections February 2018

February 27, 2018

Results Are In: Making a Difference

Each year, BACS conducts a survey of our many participants across our housing programs, behavioral health services, and community programs – and this year, our results were better than ever! This is part of BACS’ Continuous Quality Improvement process, so we can consistently tweak and improve our programs to best serve the community, Many thanks to the staff and participants who made this possible.

Thank You to Mayor Schaaf

BACS would like to extend our gratitude to Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, who has been an important partner. Mayor Schaaf not only donated Warriors Suite tickets for BACS to auction, benefiting our housing programs, but also visited a BACS housing program to help a participant celebrate 30 days of sobriety!

If you want to end homelessness in Oakland, you can help! If you have a room to rent, email us at RoomsInOakland@bayareacs.org. Or, you can donate to help a community member get back on their feet.

BACS Makes Major Investment in Staff

BACS is excited to celebrate our 65th anniversary as a local non-profit! BACS started in 1953 in Oakland, serving a few hundred people per year. Today, BACS serves more than 7,500 people each year, has services in Alameda County, Contra Costa County, and Solano County, and has helped more than 100,000 people in the last 65 years.

This would not be possible without the dedicated, passionate, diverse staff who work every day to make a difference in our community. In recognition of their commitment and their successes, and to celebrate 65 years of doing ‘whatever it takes’, BACS is raising pay for our staff ‘on the streets’ to the top of any non-profit in the Bay Area, making a monumental and unprecedented investment in our direct care staff. This will have a long term effect on the outcomes of our programs by reducing turnover and investing in the economic development of our communities.

Black History Month at BACS

“When we think of Black History Month, we are reminded of the Black excellence that has trail blazed our current steps.  What is just as important is the cultivation of Black Future month as this is where the inventors of tomorrow will be, the change makers, the social justice warriors that will continue in the work laid before us.  Black excellence is tomorrow, it’s today, and it’s now.” – Sage Williams, Program Manager and Cultural Responsiveness Committee Chairperson

Program Anniversaries: Woodroe, FREE, FIRST, SAGE

This February, BACS is celebrating program anniversaries for four of our community programs! Woodroe Place opened in 1996, and provides short-term residential services for individuals in active psychiatric distress, in a welcoming and open environment. BACS also celebrates two of our re-entry programs: FREE opened in Alameda County in 2016, and FIRST opened in Solano County in 2016. These two programs provide care coordination for people living with severe mental health issues who are re-entering the community from jail/prison. Finally, BACS is celebrating our SAGE program, which opened in 2016 and provides coordination services for people with mental health challenges who need assistance to obtain Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through legal advocacy.

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?

Micah square

Donate

Donate to BACS online by clicking here, or via mail to 629 Oakland Ave, Oakland, CA 94612. Make an ongoing impact by donating monthly!

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.

Planned Giving

Many people leave a charitable gift in their will. Do you want to make a lifetime of impact in the community you care about? Email us to learn more!

Tagged With: contra costa county, diverse workplace, diversity, housing, investment, job satisfaction, libby schaaf, mayor schaaf, mental health, Solano County, thunder road

Supported Employment Program – The Model Works!

September 12, 2017

BACS’ IPS Supported Employment Program provides job placement services to help individuals with complex needs find competitive, satisfying, and sustainable employment to uplift them from poverty.

BACS recently received our IPS Supported Employment Fidelity Report, which measures how closely BACS has followed the model to help our community. BACS received 113 out of 125 possible points, which the report notes is “the highest fidelity IPS program in Alameda County.” According to the report, “BACS staff, participants, and family members spoke highly of the IPS services,” saying things like “It’s an awesome program” and “The employment coordinators are really wonderful and I appreciate that.”

[Read more…]

Tagged With: disabilities, employment, intervention, jobs, lead center, medicaid, medicare, mental health, placement

Mental Health Awareness Month

May 8, 2017

Now that it is May, it is time to celebrate National Mental Health Awareness Month!

Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental health issues are common and treatable. If you or someone you know is experiencing behavioral health issues, you are not alone! Learn more about BACS and get help, make a difference for your community, or share your story with us today. [Read more…]

Tagged With: #whateverittakes, mental health, national mental health month

BACS Connections April 2017

April 26, 2017

BACS Board of Directors Elects Three New Members

2017

BACS is delighted to announce the confirmations of three new members to the Board of Directors: Rebecca Altman, Judith Bloom, and Darryl Moore.

Rebecca Altman has a Master’s in Global Health, is Director at Third Plateau, and has substantial experience with social impact organizations. She is eager to support BACS in building a stronger, healthier, and more vibrant community in the Bay Area.

Darryl Moore is a long-time Berkeley resident and public servant, with 12 years on the Berkeley City Council in addition to numerous other positions. Darryl is excited to use his expertise in budgetary analysis and in Bay Area housing to benefit the agency and the community.

Judith Bloom is a former BACS Board member, serving from 1989-1996, and has been an active advocate for BACS since then. Judith is also a Certified Public Accountant, is on the Berkeley Symphony Advisory Committee, and is Treasurer of the Berkeley Holiday Fund.

Welcome to the BACS Board, Darryl, Judith, and Rebecca! To read more about our new members, see the full announcement here.

BACS Wellness Centers Celebrate 48 Years!

Charter Students

BACS is pleased to celebrate the 48 year anniversary of BACS’ Wellness Centers (originally called the Creative Living Centers).

BACS opened our Wellness Centers in 1969 to fill a crucial need in the community: welcoming and accessible community spaces for individuals living with behavioral health issues. Our Wellness Centers offer classes and programs, skills-building, and behavioral health services. Our Wellness Centers have made a difference for thousands of people over the last 47 years. Learn more about our Wellness Centers here. Thank you to everyone who makes our Wellness Centers special!

May is National Mental Health Month

Mental-Health-Awareness

May is just around the corner, and it is time to celebrate National Mental Health Awareness Month!

Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental health issues are common and treatable. If you or someone you know is experiencing behavioral health issues, you are not alone! Learn more about BACS and get help, make a difference for your community, or share your story with us today.

 Employee of the Month

Daniel employee of the monthBACS is delighted to announce Daniel Sanchez, Peer Counselor at BACS’ Solano Crisis Residential Center, as Employee of the Month for April!

In the year Daniel has been with BACS, his colleagues who nominated him say “he always presents an enthusiastic, whatever it takes attitude, and is very flexible and positive!”

Daniel says “My favorite part of working at BACS is knowing I am part of something greater than myself. My greatest success has been inspiring hope in the clients… I love that feeling that I am making a difference in the client’s lives.”

Congratulations, Daniel!

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?

Micah square

Donate

Donate to BACS online by clicking here, or via mail to 629 Oakland Ave, Oakland, CA 94612. Make an ongoing impact by donating monthly!

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.

Planned Giving

Many people leave a charitable gift in their will. Do you want to make a lifetime of impact in the community you care about? Email us to learn more!

Tagged With: berkeley holiday fund, darryl moore, employee recognition, end homelessness, jamie almanza, judith bloom, mental health, mental health awareness month, national mental health month, philanthropy, rebecca altman, Wellness Center

Mark your calendars! BACS is hosting a job fair on March 10th

March 1, 2017

Friday, March 10th from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Join us for refreshments, raffle prizes, and networking and career opportunities! Bring your resume for on-the-spot interviews & job offers!

559 16th Street, Oakland, CA 94611

[Read more…]

Tagged With: bay area, jobs, mental health, mental health job oakland, need a job, nonprofit jobs

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🎉 Now Open: BACS Housing Resource Centers!

We’re excited to welcome our communities to the new BACS Housing Resource Centers across Alameda County!

Whether you need help preventing homelessness, finding housing resources, accessing Coordinated Entry, connecting to benefits, or navigating community services, our team is here for you. Compassionate support. Personalized guidance. Real solutions.

Visit your local Housing Resource Center today and let us help you take the next step toward housing stability.