So impressed by the compassionate treatment of residents here. Truly amazing work on a shoestring…read morebudget.

I love Raphael House! I used to know it well. The brothers and the sisters there are wonderful…read more The food was fantastic. It's been a long time since I've seen it. I would love to visit again~ soon!

Apparently, my previous review of this Oakland facility (2 weeks ago) was removed. Understandable…read more After all, it was a vivid, accurate, albeit unflattering description of my decades long experience(s) with this particular location with a focus on a specific recent event and individual epitomizing ongoing abysmal management practices. As for YELP? Ha! Not even a courtesy contact to inform me of said removal or conversation regarding the defense of my position. C'est la vie... 3.4 YELP Stars currently? Imagine the score if H4H management were not compelling YELP to remove negative narratives written by offended potential customers. I shall craft my narrative a bit differently this time - Been visiting this facility for a long time (15+ years?) due to its close proximity and my profession (General B Remodel Contractor) visiting mostly on behalf of my clients. Frankly, I primarily go next door to "The Reuse People" which is far more stable/fair/consistent regarding their business practices. Half the time, I struggle in personal debate, standing out front of this H4H facility, asking myself "do I want to endure, yet another, frustrating/disappointing waste of my time?"... Most of the people you meet at this facility are friendly volunteers. They are not expected to engage dialogue beyond the very basics. However, "management" is another story entirely. Were I to describe the many, many, (many) unhappy occasions I have experienced with management, it would make you wonder how Jimmy Carter (RIP) ever got involved with this organization. Here's a typical interaction/scenario from 2 weeks ago. I noticed a large 3X5 framed picture mounted on the wall some 8-10 feet above the floor in the rear showroom. Every picture on that wall had a price tag ranging from between $60 - $125, except this one which had no price. I went to the front desk to inquire about it and met "NICK". Now "NICK" has rarely provided the same name twice over the many years so, I don't need to change his name to protect an identity here. LOL Conversation as follows: Jerry: Nick, I would like to take down the picture from the wall for closer review before purchase, It's too high up for a proper exam. Nick: Sorry, we can only take the picture down after purchase. Jerry: Hmm, OK, what is your return policy? Nick: No returns after purchase. Jerry: Seems like a pretty bad policy, don't you think? Buy it, take it down, find damage, and cannot return? Nick: Which one is it exactly? (We now walk toward the picture and I grab a short step ladder) Jerry: Nick, I'm sure I can grab it easily & put it back if it's not acceptable. Nick: OK, go ahead & take it down. Jerry: OK Nick, i'll buy it, how about $100 dollars? Nick: No price tag? You'll need to come back tomorrow to get a price. Jerry: Nick, this pic is nothing special, every picture on that wall ranges around $100, my offer is rather generous. Nick: We need to look it up online to determine a price. Jerry: Look what up exactly? It appears to be a print, in a frame, with glass and no signature anywhere? What will you look up? $100 dollars is more than fair. Nick: Sorry, come back tomorrow. Jerry: That is just plain "stupid" Nick: Shrugs, no response. Jerry: (As I was walking out the door) "Stupid". I'm guessing that our hapless H4H hero "Nick" is laboring under some frustrating management policies that compel his ongoing name change lest he be singled out for reprimand by customers & corporate superiors alike. I, on the other hand, prefer to use my real name. While this unfortunate exchange is relatively mild on the scale of disappointments at this facility, one might even consider this YELP review itself a waste of my time; which it is. Sigh... Maybe, I just need to get a sense of humor? Hmmm.... Perhaps I should start introducing myself to the H4H staff as Pancho Villa! Maybe that will get some laughs? Bottom line, If you are on a journey of personal evolution & self improvement; practicing patience and finding humor in the utterly absurd, this is a great place to exercise your discipline. Jerry aka Pancho Villa

Ever since I could remember, I've always wanted to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity (H4H). Like…read moreevery person, I made several reasons (more excuses) as to why I couldn't make the time. Work, family, weather, health and etc. I probably used every "excuse" in the book. As my goal for 2014 to do 100 community service hours, I finally registered. I used Govoluntr, https://govoluntr.com/ to sign up which directed me to the main website of H4H http://www.habitatebsv.org/. You'll have to create an account and then choose the date and location you want to volunteer. To my surprise and I do mean surprise, they had a construction site in Walnut Creek. Upon arrival, we signed in and met with the H4H crew. I learned that any (low income) family can apply for a H4H home, as long as you're in NEED of shelter, can repay a no interest bearing home loan, and volunteer several hundred hours (min 500) of building your home and other homes. All homes are built solely by volunteers and donated products. We were given 3 options this day: Outdoor siding, base board finish/touchup, or lay wood flooring. Since myself and my lil man, laid wood flooring before (long ago) we decided to tackle this project. Our team leader was Ian. My lil man grouped up with a younger team to finish one room and me and my honey finished one room. Maybe we didn't finish it at the end of our 7.5 hour day, but we were darn close. I tell you what I wished I had knee pads. This was a work out because the next day my butt and thighs were sore. This was an amazing experience. I would highly recommend any parent bring their child (must be atleast 16 years old) to experience this. They will learn a lot about repairing and building. Every time I drive by this community, I can actually say I helped build that house. That alone is gratification. So no more excuses everyone. I work 8-10 hour days, family, yelp, church, kids practice/games and I found time to give back to the community. Put down the remote control and find a nearest volunteer service in your community and make a difference in someone's life. Next on my list Princess Project...here I come!!

their breakfast usually suck, but their lunches are top notch. Thank you for everything!read more

Likely best free Bay area breakfast oatmeal/grits…read more Likely best free Bay area macaroni and cheese. Though likely dependant of cook. You may complain garbage bins everywhere but, there is recycling and compost. IMPORTANT. Right outside, Farmer's Market.

Alameda Point Collaborative is a great organization that has pioneered the refurbishment and…read morerepurposing of the Alameda Naval Air Station. They call it a "supportive" housing community because it helps people in need. Its likely the largest such organization in the East Bay with over 500 residents. They have on-site counselors that work with the residents and prospective residents. They also offer connections to potential jobs and vocational training. Lastly, they provide youth services for the community in the form of tutoring and enrichment activities. Please support APC. Its organizations like this that silently help our brothers and sisters in the community out of the poverty cycle.

This is my unit, my apologies I couldn't find a picture of the outside…read more I just wanted to say that the supervising case management at Bessie Coleman Court, is a liar, a cheat and a fake. She's good friends with my harasser and caseworker, so I do I even battle with that. Keisha Johnson, is the lead case management at Bessie Coleman Court, and she was initially my caseworker there. Keisha, was telling my personal information to her other clients, I know because she was the only person that I had confided in. Afterwards I would her residents taunting me about my personal information that I told the caseworker. Shortly after I put in for a new caseworker but the new caseworker informed me that any and everything we speak about goes through her boss and lead supervising case management Keisha Johnson. Bessie Coleman Court, residence receives gift card, toy, food and other help but 10/2022 was the last time I received anything. Which was two gift cards for target one was $30 and the other was $100. Although I felt as if my daughter and I should have received more but we didn't. We didn't receive anything for Thanksgiving, but everyone else did. Except for my daughter and I. Christmas is roughly a week away and my daughter and I still haven't received anything but every other family will and I am quite sure has already. I haven't been home regularly for almost a year and this year we won't even spend Christmas. Because of my harasser and their family and friends. I've been threatened and my child. Of shooting the bitch, that's me. I've been living in a hotel. Tell me why last we I saw out the pep hole my harassers daughter and a male leave the room next door to me passing by my room cursing me and had never crossed paths with me since being at the room? Are tell me why every evening I hear my harassers upstairs cursing me? I told property management that some guy came and was near my car that man bugged my car. Because I would her the lady cursing me everywhere I go. I believe that want people to think I am crazy but far from it. How do I prove my allegations if I don't have nobody that could find the bug that has been planted on my car? She doesn't have any money to pay for the hotel rooms, which means the supervising case management and long time friend is miss using the work finances. Just because the room aren't in her name the hotel rooms are still being paid for in Fremont, CA. Why is anything being paid out so far away and the complex and business is in Alameda, CA? I've informed property management but excuse my French a whole bunch of black workers that lie and try and cover things up. Okay tell me this if Alameda Point Collaborative, has been working closely with the Alameda Police Department, the why has my harasser still allowed too live at the complex? She has over thirty police calls from harassing and attacking other residents. I witnessed one attack on Mother's Day, and that day my harasser's daughters were there and one daughter had just been released from prison after serving over four years. The released criminal started messing with a neighbor and shortly after the whole family started attacking the lady and her young son. Throwing liquor on them through the screen door and spraying mace through the lady door. Police did come but I didn't want too get involved no one went to jail, but I called the supervising case management, told her everything but she just hide everything and nothing was ever done. I informed case management and they say some bullshit like it was report to us nor in a proper manner of time. You tell me if that place is a bunch of crap! I believe they are jealous because I was ordering my daughter so much every time I felt like it but it's not me my Father, in heaven is rich so he showers me with his love...

The WDDIC is a critical source of help for local women who are in immediate need of help. They can…read moreprovide hot meals for women and children who are displaced from COVID rental evictions, or who are fleeing domestic abuse. There is no judgement -- if you need help, it will be given to their fullest capability. I am always happy to donate baby wipes, diapers, cash, or whatever they need. Without this help, especially now with COVID and the cold weather, there are many women who would be in serious trouble without this organization.

Really good community resource! Free food and hygiene products, also offers mental health…read morecounseling. Everyone there cares a lot about the community.

When I moved out they did not let me grab my things instead they put my things in bags and told me…read moreto come pick them up when I got there i did not get all my things back. They did not give me my laptop and other valuables. Coincidently all my brand name clothes was not given to me either when asked where the rest of my things were I was told it was not in the room. I was not compensated in any way they didn't even try to find my things I lived there for almost 2 years. I gave them a list of my things all they did was give me two bags and basically told this is all you get. They are horrible!!

2 members of Covenant house plopped their table in front of our business without even asking for…read morepermission, harassing our customers. When we asked them to move he said and I quote " ....or else what?" We had to call the police to get them removed for trespassing. This is an open police report with Glendale PD in Glendale AZ if anyone wants to research it. I tried to contact William Bedrossian himself but crickets. BUT WAIT there's more. The employee was then soooo upset he leaves us a bad yelp review. Well 1 good turn deserves another

The city team Oakland location helped me and my son out immensely. I reached out to a program…read morecoordinator at another place in west Oakland that shared Cityteam with me. The coordinator set up details for clothing distribution as I mentioned I needed clothes for my little and I. The clothing closet was huge and there was more than enough to look through. Please keep them in mind when looking to donate clothing, men's / women's / and children's of all sizes. I for one needed the help and I thank you for providing that.

I go here with my program week during the week for charity stuff and organizing clothes and putting…read morefood on the table serving the people and helping them on track. Also I help clean the kitchen. The staff is really nice name outgoing and the service and the food is amazin

I'm kind of emotional as I write this review as I've lived in the city 20 years and we are all…read morefamiliar with the tenderloin and it's activities. I just wanna give a huge shout out to the urban alchemy. I'm really thankful that the team took time to make sure my son's 3rd grade field trip made it safely through the neighborhood. And also thank you to the wonderful gentlemen who made sure we got to our bus safely! You are truly angels and we're all so grateful for your kindness!!! Please know what you're doing is very important! And the community appreciate you! San Francisco thanks you!!! Women thank you! Children thank you! Families thank you! Your community thanks you!

Want to take your kid to play at the playground in front of city hall? Well access is only possible…read moreif you go through a single gate where apparently a UA employee "opens it for you". They yelled at my kid and made her cry for going under a fence to purposely avoid them. She looked like a fentanyl addict in a drugged out fog. We're a broken city where we've normalized this as the "solution" paid for by taxpayers. Two playgrounds right next to each other were complete ghost towns with zero kids playing at them on a Saturday morning.. I wonder how much time will go by before UA or the city awareness kicks in. We're all being fleeced by this company.