Stayed there for less than a week, got accused "by a staff member" my second day being there of…read moresmoking pot in the house (definitely smelled it that morning though) was open and honest the entire time that I had smoked a few times during my pregnancy before coming there, and I wouldn't pass a drug test as I smoked the night before I left my hometown to move to Siena House. Simply told that that "didn't look good for me" and I moved on because ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I didn't have a guilty conscience for something I didn't do. I told them they could thoroughly search me and my belongings considering I didn't own so much as a lighter. I guess that wasnt good enough because a few days later I was told that a member of the board had moved to have me evicted. With no real evidence whatsoever. That's what you get for being honest with these people. False accusations and threats to be put out on your butt. And from what another woman living there told me I'm far from the first person to have that happen. And all of this within not even a full week of me staying there. I didn't stick around to see what else could possibly go wrong living there, I packed up my stuff, left, and moved in with the father of my child with whom my relationship is incredibly strained, because I had no other options The woman who live there are lovely, and even the staff themselves conducts themselves in a friendly manner, but if you have any skeletons in your closet whatsoever, be prepared to be treated like a criminal and probably be the first one to be accused if anything happens.

Call these wonderful people if you need help and are pregnant. They will help you. I have not…read morevisited them yet but they were so great when I was trying to find shelter for a homeless pregnant woman. God bless Siena House!

1/2 off days. Second Saturday of every month. My mom and I looked for over 1 hour at all the items…read morewe did not know we needed. Staff was great we came in today.. I appreciate their food bag distribution that mom gets weekly. So to support them today was a blessing. Thanks. And Mahalo.

Wow, corporate mentality has finally hit Grey Bears. Went there today as I do weekly, found a few…read moreitems I wanted and went to pay the prices as labeled on each item. Cashier then balked at the prices and said she couldn't sell them to me because she hadn't approved the prices, as the "guys" in the back, don't know how to.....even though Grey bears employees them to do so? WTF........... So if you find an item for a deal, they now have the unposted right to refuse the sale because someone thinks the price isn't reflective of it's true "give to us for free" value. Sad, but I have been slowly noticing this trend lately, just not as blatant as today.

Have given them lots of children's clothes and toys jackets,…read more Glad to share clothes with children in need

I used to really love this place. They took away the donation incentive. They added signs…read moreeverywhere about watching your kids and don't touch anything. Took the play area away as well as the bathroom/changing table. This is a family story. With so many littles and pregnant moms. I understand saying customers only on the bathroom. My daughter needed the toilet and they told me to walk down a few buildings to the pizza place....they are also not friendly in store. Such a shame it used to be so nice and inviting.

I love Hope thrift! I just moved a few months ago and there…read moreare things that I need and I go there once a week and find all kinds of stuff instead of buying it new. The staff is wonderful and I love the prices which are far better than Goodwill! In addition to this, I really love what this company stands for and how they help people Below is an explanation of what they are all about this is why I shopped there!!! ............... HopeTHRIFT is owned and operated by Hope Services, a local nonprofit organization providing assistance for people with developmental disabilities. Hope Services operates 60 innovative, award-winning programs that provide meaningful employment opportunities and resources that improve the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and autism spectrum disorders. We provide in-need Bay Area residents with vital resources such as job training, day programs, staffing, mental health services, community living services and senior services.

the staff are very friendly and the range of items for sale is extensive,…read more I find the quality of the clothing is surprisingly great, for second hand products and some are actually brand new. I like the sale days that allow for even further reduction in pricing..

-cute house -beautiful employees…read more -some of my blood slave here -great service =HOPE TO HELL I WOULD NEVER NEED IT

A great community resource for any woman that needs crisis support. They can help you with…read morerestraining orders, housing, counseling, etc. Although relatively small, they are highly effective and are always looking for good volunteers!

Great ceramic facilities. Flexible hours for drop in potters. Gallery has a fine mix of local…read moreartists.

The Art Center is a nice community of artists who are friendly and welcoming to newcomers. I've…read moremet so many great people here. I also really enjoy taking their classes and participating in the art shows. Membership costs are low, and provide a discount on classes. Top notch ceramics facilities too! The gallery space is lovely and offers an interesting variety of revolving art shows. The pictures I've shared here are from a recent show called "Pose." The theme was the human figure. I also included a photo of a pastel that painting I did in class. Currently the gallery is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A lovely facility all around. I highly recommend a visit!

(I volunteered/Interned at Friends Outside over my 4 years at UC Santa Cruz and worked for them as…read morea Jail Librarian) Friends Outside is a National Non-Profit org. (in Santa Cruz, housed under the Volunteer Centers of SC County.) whose mission is to provide assistance to those incarcerated in local jails: "Our goal is to help lessen the trauma of incarceration for inmates & their families, to provide information that can lead to positive changes, & to assist ex-offenders with their re-entry into the community." http://www.friendsoutside.org/ Santa Clara: http://www.friendsoutsideinscc.org/ POST-RELEASE: If someone you know has been incarcerated or is on probartion/parole, contact FO! They are HELPFUL with: ~ Property retrieval & storage - Liaison between attorneys, family & other agencies - Confidential visits with a knowledgeable & supportive volunteer - Information about community services & drug/alcohol programs - Helping with emergencies caused by incarceration - Bring in resources such as dictionaries, reading glasses, bus passes, & writing tablets - Help with limited legal & financial situations - Begin planning post-release resources & referrals through the Aftercare process Everything from short & long-term case management which includes access to clothing & food vouchers, obtaining/applying for SSI & DMV I.D., housing applications & rent assistance, medical benfits & General governmental assitance, contacting your Parole/prob. agents & or family members, & registering to vote. We also visit prisoners ON THE INSIDE. After release from jail or prison, a client can meet with an Aftercare case manager for a one-stop resource & referral. Case managers offer support and advocate for clients, help facilitate post-release plans and provide applicable services. We make every effort to provide the information needed in the first few days of release. Friends Outside is unable to offer financial assistance; however, we may be able to connect clients to the appropriate agencies and churches. You may leave a message for a specific volunteer at 831 425-3434 or call for an appointment at 831 427-5078. We can help in the following areas: - Basic hygiene products and reading glasses - Information on food resources, voicemail, community programs, mental health and health-related services, education, counseling and shelters - Clothing vouchers / clothes - Bus passes (limited rides to court or appointments related to probation compliance) as well as maps and bus schedules - Assistance complying with probation to prevent unnecessary incarceration (WRAP) - Court accompaniment - Information on local and statewide legal and criminal justice agencies - Informal assistance with a job search - Free copies of the Friends Outside Resource Guide (which I created!) - Outreach and educational presentations about our services as appropriate Over the course of my time working for them as a case manager and jail librarian, I was able to access those incarcerated in Blaine Street Jail (minimum security for Women), the Main SC County Jail (Men and Women's Medium Security), "The Farm" and The Rountree Men's Facilities in Watsonville (Medium Men's jails). The experience was eye-opening, and got me into the work I am doing now as a Case Manager for Centerforce, San Rafael. I still work with Friends Outside, who contracts out of the Visitor's Center at San Quentin State Prison. We provide books, dictionaries (Spanish-English), and reading glasses to the jails through donation drives that we hold annually. Children's Events: Kids' Days! We love these days- so fun to volunteer and be a part of a positive event INSIDE the jail with families and children- Fun activities, crafts, and treats for children visiting their incarcerated parents during holidays (X-mas, Halloween, V-Day). Fliers announcing these events are posted at the Farm and at Blaine Street a few weeks ahead, so prisoners can inform their families on visiting day about the event (during the winter holiday season, we work with Toys for Tots gathering gifts for children with an incarcerated parent.) Please DONATE! As a typical struggling non-profit, they need all the support they can get to continue doing amazing, hard, and incredibly important work in the community!!! FOR NOW, NOT FOREVER I woke up today in a cold cement cell, No one to hold me so I hold myself. As I lie there, all alone in my bed, I am numb to my surroundings, I am lost in my head. I dream, I think, I fantasize, I try not to hear my heart's little cries. There in my mind, I learn to sever, myself from reality, for now, not forever. -Incarcerated client Santa Cruz location, Contact: Heidi Canales/Talia Stoessel at 831-427-5078. ~ scFriendsOutside@hotmail.com ~ fovolunteer@gmail.com Friends Outside in Santa Clara County: 551 Stockton Avenue San Jose, CA 95126 Phone: (408) 295-6033 , Fax: (408) 295-2907

I interned at Friends Outside in 2004/2005 as a jail visitor. It was an amazing experience that I…read morewill never forget. FO is a great resource for people who are incarcerated and their families. This is one of those rare nonprofits that makes their money go a really long way by using it for the clients rather than paying a bunch of administrators. Even though I am a poor graduate student I make it a point to donate every year (even if it's only a little bit), and I would encourage you all to do the same!

We love The Circle! The classes for kids are so fun. The classes and groups for parents are so…read morehelpful. The staff is literally the best. I found a village at the circle that I am forever grateful for.

Allison (mother of two littles there) teaches a toddlers class and a moms class called Bump, Baby,…read moreand Beyond Monday evenings. She subs the yoga right after and makes Mondays at The Circle so amazing for families in the area. Or anywhere if they want to travel to Seacliff for the classes (they should- totally worth it and open to non-members).