Finally had a chance to visit. Place still looks brand new eventhough opened 5 or more yrs…read more This is a city owned facility community center so not at all affiliated with the middle school next door or the track field. Not sure what to think of this place yet but looks great so far. According to the coordinator, theres rooms to rent, affordable classes to take and free kids programs. More info on their website. Cafe inside as you walk in and a front desk to the right. Drinks, coffee and some desserts. Three lounge benches to wait, rest while enjoying your order. Concrete tables in back with view of middle school's basketball courts and track. Limited parking out front. Will try their cafe next time. Come support this local facility.

I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this location. I helped organize an event who needed…read morean event space for 200 people. My objections were overcome when the likeable staff, the flexible meeting space and the free parking on the weekend changed my mind. The space offers a scenic view to the courtyard fountain that featured blue tiles and splashing water. This is a lovely setting with windows and skylights all around. We did a site inspection and the contact person bent over backwards to assist us. He answered our questions and let us poke around behind the stage. We went into the full kitchen and inspected for cleanliness. It looked good. The restrooms were clean but a little dated. There are plenty of tables and chairs to accommodate weddings, or conferences. On event day, we were able to enter a bit earlier and leave a little later. As we left we observed the staff mopping and washing the tabletops. The space if very clean, spacious and has friendly, low key staff.

This is a nice place for senior citizens there are plenty of games and different things to do they…read moreserve them lunch is totally air condition on hot days they have Bingo and different games for them to keep their minds occupied

A lot of bitter old acting seniors. Not one single person welcomed me or said hi. I guess all they…read morelike to do is stare at people and I'm sure talk about them. I'm 65 and when I went only a couple times I felt ancient around those people. They sit around playing board games and crocheting their only real activities are boring bingo or casino trips. I am not interested in those 2 things. The icing on the cake was the director Zee, I'm not sure but I think he's a man but definitely doesn't carry himself that way. He's very flamboyant. The first time I went there I would have thought he would introduce himself but all he/she did was stare at me. I have now joined a nearby Senior Center and it's very welcoming and very much unlike San Pablo Senior Center. I don't recommend this location. There are so many other options for seniors who don't feel ancient.

This "Community Center " goes for weeks/months with nothing other than the Monthly Drive through…read morefood bank. I live at Tara Hills Mobil Manor which borders their property. THMM is a senior retirement community with many low income residents. Many of the residents are on Social Security and the surrounding area has many low income seniors as well. For many years the Contra Costa Food Bank has been handing out food once a month to low income people in the parking lot of the facility. While the facility is owned by the County they have allowed The Fathers House, a church to hand out the food supplied by the food bank. The 200 plus families that received food this morning, were informed that Contra Costa County will no longer allow the distribution of food at the site. This makes no sense. The facility has no programs during the day on a weekly basis. The ball field is empty when games are not scheduled. I live next to the area the rode is seldom used. I doubt seriously that the surrounding food distribution sites will be able to absorb the families who are no longer able to receive food from this facility. How far can low income people afford to drive with the high cost of gas. Some even walk to pick up food. I went there today, there were many older people there, not young people who are able to work, retired, low income mostly. We were not given a reason, just told we cannot come back in January. I would like to know who do we talk to in order to at least be listened to and a reason for the loss of a place that serves and contributes to our Seniors and other low income groups.

Driving down San Pablo Ave, I was reminded by an old beat up sign of the existence of this…read morecommunity center where I played softball and took ballet lessons and painting classes (many many years ago). Montara Bay Community center and neighboring softball fields are situated between three sub-divisions - Montalvin, Tara Hills, and Bayview park in an unincorporated part of West Contra Costa County (on the border of Pinole, Richmond, and San Pablo) near Montalvin park and across the creek from Seaview Elementary which recently closed. The glory days, if there ever were any, are gone and from what I can tell it is only currently being used by the Tara Hills little league. Which is at least a good thing since apparently Measure AA spent 200K in the 80's to fix the fields up. It was sad to see the area so beat up as the neighboring creek in particular is a constant project for environmental groups.

I went to visit the Senior Center because I was interested in their fitness program. I live in…read moreHercules but have never visited the Pinole Center. I have Silver Sneakers and the Pinole Senior Center was listed as a location. When I arrived I was treated with rudeness beyond words. I entered the building and was greeted by a women who spoke to me as though I had broken the law. She interrogated me and made me feel most unwelcomed, even though I told her I was there to get information. I won't be going back to this unfriendly environment and shame on them for calling themselves a Senior Center. There is definitely a lack of community service coming from this place

Old dilapidated Bldg as Roof Leaks bad HVAC, Exercise Instructor n Mgrs/Directors r rude,…read morepost-COVID Lunch Prices are now way-overpriced @ $8-$10 ea. w/self service lunches available only 3 Days a week n one must make a pre-reservation a week in advance on Wed afternoon only, so very hard, sad n difficult for many of our Seniors Community to do & partake on limited/Fixed income to deal-with!!!

Me coming home from prison I was really stressed and over it . I reached out to lao family . And…read morethey really helped me in so many ways to help me gain back my self confidence myself dignity and becoming a independent person again everyone there has been so helpful And very encouraging and stern in a good way helped me focus This was a really good program and I'm blessed and thankful .. . . Everyone keep up the good work .

ATTENTION ALL EMPLOYMENT SEEKERS!!!! If you are need of employment support, please do yourself a…read morefavor and stop by Lao Family Community Center. They have an outstanding team of professionals, willing to go the extra mile in supporting your goals, albeit, employment, housing, taxes etc. I have had the absolute pleasure of having CATRINA HAYES support in my quest for employment. I've been out the game of job hunting for quite sometime and Catrina has made the process smooth and a lot less scary than i anticipated. She is truly awesome, and a consummate professional. She is extremely patient, thorough and detailed in her trainings and workshops. Again, as i mentioned previously, do yourself favor and stop by Loa Family Center in San Pablo. You will not regret it.

Came here for the spring exhibitions opening reception and had a great time. Was a bit surprised…read morethat masking was still required indoors but they provided masks at the front. The exhibits were nicely organized and flowed well. The Richmond Art Center seems well-maintained overall and they did an excellent job with the opening reception, including the yummy food and drinks in the courtyard. I just wish they had more seating during events. While making my way around, I saw artwork from local students as well and the classrooms in the back which was cool. If you're an East Bay local, I highly recommend stopping by the Richmond Art Center at some point or checking out their class offerings.

I registered for a 10 am workshop, but arrived shortly after the art center opened so I had time to…read moreleisurely view the works on display in the main gallery and in other smaller galleries. I am always impressed by the caliber of the work on display, regardless of whether it's the work of professionals or young children who have taken classes at the center or work from area schools in coordination with their art teachers. Workshop participants created a paper plate "succulent" to take home. Although the workshop required pre-registration, it was free. Many parents worked along side their young children,?while teenagers clustered together. The presenter's own sculptures reminded me of Dr Seuss drawings come to life. It was evident that a fun time was had by all.

Kathleen H wrote in 2012, " I venture to say that the problem lies with the leadership in city…read moregovernment, or lack thereof.  Former mayor Thomas Corcoran did a great job with Richmond.  My hope is that Richmond can turn itself around and get rid of the drugs and crime so that families can feel safe once again." If you stay informed and updated re: current facts in Richmond, you should know that the current leadership in city government, (along with many others in the community), has done a great job of dramatically lowering crime and violence in Richmond over the past 8 years that the current Mayor McLaughlin has been in office.  In 1989, in this city of about 100,000 people, there were 61 homicides.  It came down for a while around the turn of the century, but by 2006 it was back up to almost 50 homicides.  Over recent years it has declined all the way down to 16 in 2013*.  Of course that is 16 too many, but a big improvement over 50 or 60.   The problems in a city with as much poverty and historical problems as Richmond won't turn into paradise overnight.  But it is good to get the facts straight before blaming the current "leadership in city government" who has, in fact, made great strides in reducing violent crime. *(statistics source: Contra Costa Times) PS: I wrote quite a while ago (a few years?) but apparently forgot to post it, and just noticed today that it was not posted, so the content is a bit dated.

Along with being a BA student candidate at UC Berkeley, I also work as a clerk/poll worker for the…read moreelection board in my county. I was recently here for poll worker training in the City of Richmond. The training session was in the city council's chambers at 440 Civic Center Plaza. I snapped a few pictures of the empty room. It was interesting to be in an empty council chamber for poll worker training It was quite interesting to come here as it has been quite some time I have been here in the City of Richmond. I used to go to the library nearby when I was a sprog with The Family. The Parental Unit was very much into books, book shoppes, and libraries. Across the street kitty corner to the library and directly across the way from the city council building is the Richmond Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center. I attended some high school commencement exercises here. The Sibling walked the graduation altar here. On two separate occasions, a couple of friends (from our elementary school days) walked the graduation altar before and after The Sibling here as well. I would welcome an opportunity to come back at the city building, the auditorium, and the library. There are other places in Richmond here. One of the superior court offices are here in Richmond. I have come here a few times for jury duty. Fortunately, I was excused (touch wood) from serving. There is a shopping center that recently opened in the area. There is a Target Superstore here sharing space with Panda Express and a GameStop. I hope to pay a visit to this shopping centre in the future with friends. SYOY! Ciao!

Bay Area Rescue Mission provides real value through the services they offer to the community. I…read morepersonally referred someone there, and they were very helpful, especially in assisting a woman in her 80s. The staff showed patience, respect, and genuine care. It's reassuring to see an organization that truly follows through and supports people when they need it most.

Review is for volunteering experience:…read more This year, my work team decided to volunteer at the Richmond Bay Area Rescue Mission (BARM). I did not know much about BARM, other than they do offer meals to the needy and are a Christian-faith organization. We had no idea what we'll be helping with on the day of arrival. Our entire group of 12 or so did have to pass a COVID Antigen test before entering. Our event turned out to be kitchen duties, like you read about in Kitchen Confidential or from cooking reality shows. Everyone was super friendly, but you feel the adrenalin of working hard in a commercial kitchen. You work as a team and you work safely, since you got hot surfaces, sharp objects, boiling liquids and occasionally wet floor everywhere. My main task was dishwasher, which brings back memories of my first job. Scrape, Rinse, Sanitize and dry! Those high-powered Hobart washing machines make cleanup a snap. The feel of the nozzle is great as it blasts away all food scraps. Wish I had these at home! My next task was helping cutting up some 30-50 pounds of chicken breast for a marinade. The chef was planning to make some coconut-curry soup so he occasionally dumped Five-Spice and Chili Sauce as we cut. Those Dexter Chef Knifes were super sharp and the blade was something like 10" to 12" long, like a short sword. I thought my home 6" Henckels Chef Knife was sharp but those Dexter knives were on a different level. At the end, I can show my blisters proudly. My other colleagues served food to customers, cooked, diced vegetables, cracked dozens of eggs, unloaded a delivery truck, and moved things to the freezers. They got some high-quality produce here from Costco, Sprouts, and Trader Joes, and some of it organic! Highly recommend considering BARM if you're interested in volunteering some time. Being in a commercial kitchen was also fun since you experience what its like to be part of the machine that cranks out food. Everyone had a role to play to make it possible to crank out 50-100 meals per shift.