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've been on a quest to do things that bring me joy! I saw a reel for a puffer tote sewing class at…read moreCommunity fits and visited the site. After reading their mission statement, I had to sign up! This nonprofit is doing amazing things in the community for children to be able to be creative and learn a skill. Proceeds from the class costs are used to help support a free 6 week youth sewing program that "is designed to teach in-depth sewing fundamentals, creativity, and self-expression with a fashion showcase at the end where youth present their work." I haven't sewn since middle school and was a bit nervous about the class but excited at the same time. The space was easy to find, there was plenty of street parking and the space is really nice. It definitely gives creation vibes! The workspaces were clean and allowed enough space in between your neighbor, but close enough to where you can chat and work together with others. Brittani is a great instructor. She's very patient and went through the steps at a pace, where any one with little to no sewing experience could follow along. The price for the class was a great deal for the experience and my own handmade bag. There are other classes offered and I can't wait until I can make it to another. Share with folks you know and support this young lady! There are ways to support and donate listed on the website as well. I actually ordered a sewing machine after this class and can't wait to use it! Thank you Brittani!

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.

If you seek whimsy; if your house crest shines bright in a thousand shades of Bic-pen ink; if you…read morefear neither lava floor tiles nor sand in your boots, seek out Oakland's Department of Make Believe! I visited the brand-spanking-new and super-cool space on December's First Friday, and it was poppin'. A local band jammed on the pulpit-turned-stage; guests milled and chatted and sketched on huge slices of paper spread out on the tables; the organization's founders buzzed and zipped around, offering plastic bubbles with paper slips inside, fortune-cookie style - prompts to capture conversations with fellow make-believers. (There were also enchiladas and rice and beans, but I don't think that's an always-thing.) The nonprofit takes cues from like-minded writing centers like 826 and NaNoWriMo, but is by no means cookie-cutter. With inspirational merchandise whose packaging is a meld of 1960s cereal boxes and high-tech spy gear, an ACTUAL CHALKBOARD WALL that covers the entire east side of the ginormous writing room, and a sandbox populated by superheroes and smallish plastic animals, the atmosphere is of the "I'm-never-leaving" kind. And that's not even taking into account the stellar staff and what they do there. The org's mission is to help Oaklandish youths unleash their creativity, and their aesthetic hits the nail on the head: whimsical, engaging, a little tongue-in-cheek, it's sure to draw in scads of writers looking to express themselves through zany mediums like sassed-up waiting room forms, collective collages, and story prompts popped out of gumball machines. Basically: mount your steed/your Huffy/the 72M bus and GET THERE! (Appointments frowned upon and poked hard with a stick.)

I rented this place to shoot a classroom scene for my short film and it worked out perfect…read more I recommend this establishment.

This group sends tons - like thousands every month - of high quality free books to prisoners and…read morehas been reliably doing it for a very long time. A fantastically worthy cause really. Their website has info on how to volunteer - everyone is a volunteer - or help out in other ways.

Volunteering at the prison literature project is rewarding. Inmates incarcerated throughout the…read moreU.S. write letters requesting books. They appreciate the help. Sarah coordinated the Wednesday's I've helped. She is thoughtful and organized.

I am new here in Oakland from Mississippi. St. Mary's Center took me in. I'm now residing in one of…read morethe transitional houses. It is a very nice and clean environment. You get to meet new people who are experiencing the same hardships as you. You all have something in common and all get to work towards a common goal of permanent housing. The case workers are very nice and helpful. They have been trained with professionalism to be able to help each client that they are assigned. They treat everyone like someone and is very concerned about your well being in every area of your life. These are angels on earth. I am so glad that St. Mary's Center gave me another chance at life. Get involved. You will not regret it. Love is shown to seniors here every day. Thank you St. Mary's Center for being there for me as a 56 year old and needing housing. I will forever be grateful to you for your service.

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...

I love being a member of Lake Merritt UMC. The church is a warm and welcoming group. It is really…read morea comfortable place to worship even if the view of Lake Merritt from the sanctuary can be a distraction on Sunday mornings! If you haven't seen the giant Tiffany mosaics in the sanctuary, then they alone are worth the trip. This is also a fabulous venue for events. Many groups rent the facility for a myriad of events. Lake Merritt UMC regularly hosts concerts, weddings, meeting, reunions, recitals, and family gatherings.

Great find in the East Bay for a church that cares about the community it is located in. Notably,…read morethe sanctuary is beautiful - featuring stunning Tiffany mosaics and a gorgeous view of the Lake. The children and youth programming are good and I am hopeful that this service can grow with the congregation. The Sunday morning service is pleasantly short, the music good, and the preaching thought provoking and relevant to everyday life. Bonus: fellowship time after the service is a great time to meet folks & relax with a really nice spread of snacks and surprisingly good coffee made to order ala your neighborhood cafe. Check out this great church community - welcoming, relevant, community-service minded, and a much needed spiritual respite from the work-week.