Need help? Look elsewhere…read more It will be impossible to reach anyone by phone. If you're lucky enough to catch someone on the phone, it's because they accidentally called you - then felt trapped - and made an appointment for a future date to get off the phone quickly. They will turn their phone off and be unreachable during the scheduled appointment time. Then, they will never return your calls, voicemails, or text messages. EOCP - Engagement Optional, Clients Powerless

Unfortunately my father stayed at this facility for 2days, and I had to manuver my life to bring…read morehim home with me because there is no way his hygiene can be kept up l in this facility. upon his arrival the bunking quarters were clean but the matresses was filthy. I have posted some photos that were taken of the bathroom and shower quarters and im absolutely appauled that the most vulnarable people in the oakland community have to deal with these type of conditions its disgusting, these people deserve livable bathing and bathroom conditions. One photo shows a vommit filled toilet in a 3 stall bathroom that is completely unusable and bio hazzard problem and has been like this for 3days with absolutely no fixing. Also a the shower stalls looked to have mold and rust and just plain filthy. These are such unfortunate conditions I will be contacting corporate office to discuss how to manage a cleaner environment for those in need. Signed concerned oakland resident.

I started volunteering with Oakland Elizabeth House in November of 2016 and had the pleasure to…read moremeet so many wonderful families who are working overtime for the betterment of their family. I found Oakland Elizabeth House through instagram and went through the application and interview process with the house volunteer coordinator at the time, Dana. I was able to meet most of the house and become an active volunteer within that next week. At certain times of the year they seem as though they have no shortage of volunteers but during school breaks and certain weekdays, they require more volunteer assistance on several different levels, which can range from helping tutor kids, watching kids during weekly house meetings, planning field trips, organizing reading buddies, and more. I'd usually go one or two times a week for 2-4 hours, or for full days sometimes if it were over spring break or an unexpected rainy day. I'd help with meals and mostly craft time. The age ranges of kids are anywhere from baby through grade school so it's certainly a task to find something all will be interested in for their age. The kids are full of personality and genuinely enjoy and appreciate the extra attention they can get and opportunities to feel special among new people. Some volunteer days are busier than others but even if you aren't interested in organizing events or hanging with the kids, you can volunteer in other ways like sprucing up their garden and play yard. If you have any special skill that are shareable or teachable, that's such a gift to bring to Elizabeth House. Elizabeth House also accepts donations of clothing and food but there is a somewhat strict policy for drop off times, due to it being a very small community in the house and only a few windows open for volunteers and housemates to organize.

I volunteered here today! I met their volunteer coordinator at Yelp Helps and had been in contact…read morevia e-mail since the event. I was glad to finally be able to attend one of their scheduled volunteering opportunities. Their website is thorough and will give you lots of information about who they are, including frequently asked questions. I was signed up to help the mothers and children wrap Christmas presents but when I arrived they had that covered. The volunteer coordinator quickly found something else for me to do. I helped prepare volunteer thank you letters for mailing. I was fortunate to be sitting across the table from the volunteer coordinator and she answered all my questions about their organization. I didn't see Le M's review until now and it reminds me that there a lot of people out there who don't understand how much staff time goes into accepting used or not currently needed donations. We actually talked about this today after I asked about donations and their volunteer coordinator commented about recently receiving bags and bags of canned food items...all of which were expired. The staff had to go through all of them to compost and recycle. With a staff of four, they certainly don't always have the time to go through used items to determine which are good enough for the women and children residents. I am sure that Le M's items were clean, intact and free from rips and stains but it may have been that Oakland Elizabeth House just didn't have the staff time to accept the items. Not accepting used donations is not a measure of how well an organization is doing. Often it is the smaller, more financially strapped organizations that cannot accept used items. *Tips for making donations to an organization: 1) Contact them to make sure it is something they need. 2) If you wouldn't give the item(s) to a friend, don't give them to a stranger. This is a fabulous organization supporting women and children at a time when they need it the most. I am looking forward to volunteering more of my time here in the future.

I was going through hardship in rent. This people working are mean and rude and racist. They only…read morehelp their own people. I provided all documentation but still the ladies didn't help. But in the same apartment I leave in are Mexican families they got approved. I guess favoritism works

Very helpful caring people who work diligently and constantly until their work is completely…read morefinished very caring and reassuring and they are doing a great service to our citizens of the East Bay and they helped me and kept me from being homeless and I owe them all my gratitude..Dora and the team are champions and gave me so much love and hope and I feel l Overwhelmed with blessings because of catholic charities..no lie.i wish you all great blessings.God bless you all

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!!

I worked for this organization for 15 years. I loved every minute of it. This organization has…read moreintegrity, efficiency, and care for staff and clients.

Horrible organization. I worked here for ten years; bathing, feeding, toileting clients. I…read moretook care of them when they were sick, cleaned them if they had accidents and gave them space to be themselves. After ten years of grueling work I was terminated after minor misunderstandings with a supervisor (conflict is normal amongst humans). Tom Heinz the Director told me flat out he would deny my unemployment and he did. After TEN fucking years he couldn't just let me even have the security of unemployment to help me move on to my next job. East Bay Innovations even hired an attorney to fight my unemployment...sick people manage this place. Luckily the judge ruled in my favor because she saw their reason for terminating me was petty so I got my unemployment. I really loved the clients and my coworkers, I'm still friends with some of them today but the people on top ie Director and Codirector are sociopaths.

I went through this program as a kid and my Big Brother and I were featured in the San Jose Mercury…read moreNews. This program paired me with a great man who showed me how men should positively interact with children as well as set life goals and include me in his family events. Unfortunately, because he worked for Lockheed NASA, when the Challenge went down he was tasked with making sure that never happened again he had to move to Florida and we lost contact. I took a wrong turn after that for a few years, but what he installed in me never left and after turning my life back around I see he helped set a foundation in me that kept me from going to far in the wrong direction. I highly recommend this place.

I think they should retitle themselves: Big Brothers Big Sisters For Children Of Incarcerated…read moreParents. I signed my child up approximately 6 years ago. Two years ago, I checked on the status of his file. The person said that they give priority to children with incarcerated parents. My child's father died, that's all. They never call to give an update or status. They should not have even wasted our precious time 6 years ago with the intake.

I came here as a volunteer event with my coworkers and I can say it was hard work, but very…read morerewarding and most importantly fun! Sign up for this event was very easy. You sign up before you arrive and check in at the lobby sign in kiosk. They do require masks at this time, but do provide you with extra masks and gloves if you do forget yours. Before your shift, you do a temperature check/screening outside which is very easy and non invasive. Parking is safe. A gated lot with tons of security cameras and volunteers in the parking lot at all times. With outdoor tent eating area. Tasks include sorting fruits/veggies and bagging them for transport. Organizing boxes ect. A task for everyone. The volunteers are all very helpful and nice. And at the end of your shifts you can see how much meals you provided. Shifts are 3 hours each. One from 8:30-12 and 12-3. Time flies when having fun. Highly recommend this place to volunteer and give back. Link to volunteer: https://www.accfb.org/get-involved/volunteer/

I've been here two times and this is a great & safe place to volunteer! You must sign up in advance…read moreonline. There's two 3 hr shifts, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Once you get to the location, park all the way in the back, to the right side, then enter through the door. Once you enter, you'll be greeted, write your name on a name tag, then you'll check in on the computers, and they'll lead you to a room where they'll introduce you to the ACCFB, talk a little bit about the history, safety, etc. They also have lockers if you want to put your bag inside, and they have a break area where you can leave your water bottles, etc. The restroom is also clean as well! For the volunteering portion, I bagged apples & potatoes, and also assembled the giant cardboard boxes to fill up the produce and fruits in. It is super fun and you get a 15 minute break in between. This is a great location to do this solo, with family/friends, or even with work! There are lead volunteers around to help you with anything you may need. At the end, they'll recap how many pounds of foods were pack and how many meals will be served to the community. It is such a wonderful place to volunteer and I know it won't be my last time coming here!

I started out at the sheds on 27th. Great staff and awesome food. Only problem with this…read moreorganization and place is person named Ginger!! She has the worst attitude and will make everything for you as hard as she can. Not a good fit for Operation Dignity or the homeless she speaks or deals with. Great organization terrible person. I have spoken to people that have moved from here because of her. Great place to start your journey off the street. I still miss the food.

Just made a donation to help!!…read more Seem like very friendly people!! Glad to be a part in whatever way!!