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CONNECTIONS
The monthly e-newsletter from
Bay Area Community Services (BACS)
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A $25,000 Surprise!
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Supervisor Keith Carson, of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, presented BACS with a huge surprise - a $25,000 check! Supervisor Carson met with BACS Executive Director Jamie Almanza, presenting this contribution to acknowledge the fantastic impact our services have on our community.
This generous gift helps ensure that Bay Area Community Services can pursue our mission: to uplift under-served individuals and their families by doing whatever it takes.
BACS imagines a world where all people are healthy, safe, and engaged in community wellness. Thank you, Supervisor Carson for bringing us closer to that vision!
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| Housing Success Story |
 Deng Bak, former BACS participant in the Housing Fast Support Network program, now lives in Oakland in permanent housing!
Deng faced homelessness suddenly, after he lost his job in security and lack of funding made it impossible for him to find work again.
With the support of the BACS team, Deng found a good job in security, worked hard, and saved up enough money to move into permanent housing and buy a car!
Congratulations on your successes, Deng!
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| Affordable Housing Supporter |
BACS goes into partnership with a socially conscious community member to develop affordable housing for BACS participants who are living with mental health issues and have struggled with homelessness.
Renee French knows that the housing market in the Bay Area is no joke - rents are high, and people with behavioral health issues or disabilities are often left behind.
So, she decided to do something about it.
Renee bought a property in San Francisco and rented it, at an extremely low rate, to individuals who are low-income because of health reasons. The, she did it again in Oakland!
She worked with BACS to find a good property. Renee said that even though it was hard to find a nice enough place, "
I knew how much people needed this, which kept me motivated."
Now, her 6 tenants are living happily and independently in Oakland. Renee says,
"The heart of the issue is knowing that low-income people have such a critical need, and I see so much talking but I don't see much happening in terms of helping these people."
Everyone at BACS admires the work that you do in our community, Renee, and thank you for your partnership!
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Inter-Generational Quilts at SFO Airport
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|  BACS has been so lucky to work with Ellen Oppenheimer, a professional textile artist and the artist-in-residence at Peralta Elementary School. She and her students visit BACS' Adult Day Program, where they are matched with an elder struggling with a memory disorder. After getting to know one another, Ellen help her students create quilts that reflect these relationships. Ellen says, "My personal observation is that seniors are stimulated and animated with the students, more so than with adults and contemporaries. And students gain a very genuine sense of their ability to make a positive effect on their community." Her inter-generational quilts are now on display at the San Francisco Airport! Congratulations, Ellen, and thank you for all you do with BACS! |
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Employee of the Month!
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BACS has an All-Star staff! Below, we honor our "Employee of the Month" for July!
Mark Higuera, Program Aid, Adult Day Program:
Mark works selflessly, and steps up when needed without direction. Mark has shown true dedication to the BACS mission and vision. Relentlessly, Mark's utmost concern is the wellness of each participant, and he intervenes with compassion and care at every interaction. Mark is popular at the ADC, and contributes greatly to the quality of care participants receive.
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Petit Pot Gives Back
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|  Petit Pot, local gourmet dessert producer, received a grant from Whole Foods, and decided to use some of the funds to give back to their community! BACS was delighted to partner with Petit Pot to help them win the grant, and honored by the generosity.
Petit Pot is a socially conscious business, and produces pot de creme that can be found in markets including Andronico's and Whole Foods. To learn more about Petit Pot, or to find out where you can try their sumptuous pot de creme, visit their website here: 
Thank you for the generous donation, and for letting us taste your fabulous desserts! |
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County Survey of Older Adults
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 Through the Summer and Fall of 2015, Alameda County is conducting an Older Adult Survey that asks older adults about their needs, issues, and concerns. The anonymous Survey will provide important input from the community that will help make Alameda County a better place for older adults to live. The county hopes to reach as many Alameda County residents who are age 55 or older as possible.
Survey results will inform and guide a comprehensive public planning process that will result in Alameda County's new Plan for Older Adults. The effort is a collaboration of Alameda County's Social Services and Health Care Services Agencies, and is guided by a planning committee composed of representatives from community-based services, housing, healthcare, public health, behavioral health, and the senior community.
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Join Our Cause!
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| Do you want to join BACS in our mission to provide crucial services to individuals and families struggling with homelessness, mental health issues, or aging-related issues? Donate
You can always donate online by clicking Donate Now, or send a donation to 1814 Franklin Street, Suite 400, Oakland, CA 94612. Or, donate gently used blankets, coats, canned goods, and other items to our housing programs. Email us to learn more. Volunteer
Do you want to get into your community and make a difference? Do you have an idea you cannot wait to tell us about, or a skill you know could help our participants?
Email us
to get involved!
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. |
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