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!!

Save The Bay is such a GREAT organization that has been around since 1961! Save the bay had been…read morearound for over 50 years! Say What?? That's amazing! I first learned about Save the Bay because of Yelp Helps-Save The Bay Volunteer Event which was located at the MLK Shoreline! Such a beautiful view next to the highway. I have to admit this event was a great experience. Being able to volunteer with great people in the community: Girl scouts, High school students and some yelp friends that were working together to make positive changes in the community! :) I love it! Save The Bay works together to protect the Bay from pollution and reckless Shoreline development to make it clean and healthier for the people and the wildlife. Thank you Bryan and Jack for spending your Saturday morning 3/8/15 with the yelp squad along with other great people that came to volunteer! They were nice, motivational and knowledgeable! They provided us with gloves, picks, knee rest, and sunscreen and of course, WATER! I worked very closely with a girlfriend to plant some new plants into the nursery by the shoreline. Who would have thought that day would have been my first day actually holding a Crab! (One dead and the other alive). I didn't think I was THAT much into the wildlife! Whoo! Thank you to the donators that donated the snacks for all of us! The bars were delicious and definitely what I needed to continue my daily workout. I had a great time and I am so happy to be part of this event. I look forward to being involved again next year! It is SO nice to be able to get come wildlife knowledge and help out in the community! I was SO sore the next day but "Hard work pays off", right?

Like computer games? Got 15 minutes to spare? Want to actually make a difference during that time…read more(instead of... oh, you know all that other stuff you do on the interwebs). George A. Miller and Janet McKinley (whoever they are) are donating $1 to Save the Bay for everyone who logs in and plays the new, free "Save the Bay" game. The whole game takes less than 15 minutes to play, it's fun (it's a GAME!) and you'll learn a little in the process. Now, if all my Yelp-friends play that's more than $200 going to Save the Bay, an organization that does nothing but wonderful things to help ensure that our beautiful Bay Area is as beautiful a place to live tomorrow as it is today. Play the game here and let me know what you learn: http://www.battleforsfbay.org/v2/?BFB_QUZ_homepage

What a wonderful store with a powerful mission! They've got a $5 rack of clothing outside and all…read moresorts of lovely things inside like furniture, clothes, jewelry, etc... they're donation based so your purchase is for a very good cause. And the workers in there are great!

What a cool store! 3 of us came in and immediately started grabbing things to purchase. Tasteful,…read morepretty, and quality pieces everywhere. Georgia, who is very friendly and funny, helped us out and we left with plenty of goodies for our home and closet! Will be back.

THE Place for materials for Bay Area Artists & Teachers!…read more Everything creative, at rock-bottom prices. Stock changes briskly!

Interesting place. Lots of stuff! Some good finds. A bit overwhelming and lots of people with not…read moremuch personal space.

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.

Every now & then I come across someone or something that gives me a little hope for humanity. This…read morenonprofit is a perfect example. Babies are brought into the world, too often, without proper planning & sometimes with no planning at all. Even with preparation, many wee ones are born without the proper means to get by. The first year of life is so crucial & Loved Twice lightens the load for many babies (& parents) in need. The videos on the Loved Twice site say it best. Watch them. I can't help but get a bit choked up thinking about moms with newborns asking hospital staff if they may take home those boring, striped receiving blankets stamped with property of hospital. Loved Twice provides social workers with enough clothing, blankies & baby books to help get underprivileged babies/moms through that most important (& possibly the most stressful in my opinion) first year of life. If you or someone you know has the ability to donate funds &/or time, please have them check out Loved Twice. I've been doing what I can to help for the past couple of years & it feels great! Carl Sandburg said, "A baby is your Deity's opinion that the world should go on. Never will a time come when the most marvelous recent invention is as marvelous as a newborn baby." Whitney Houston sang, "The children are our future..." I know you get me.

You will have many choices in life, except the situation that you are born into…read more Loved Twice is there to make sure that newborns and mothers in need are given a fresh start in that most basic of needs - to be clothed for the first year, right out of the hospital. Taking gently used clothing, then cleaning, folding and sorting it into boxes labeled "Boy" or "Girl", Loved Twice has answered the unspoken prayers of many new mothers and given them a fresh dose of hope and kindness. Lisa Klein started Loved Twice after being touched by the displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina, especially the most helpless and innocent, the babies. What she realized is that she could organize a clothing drive to help newborns in need right in her own backyard, she went right to work. A few years later, she had a nonprofit that would be honored by People Magazine as an "All-Star" in her community in 2010. Check out Loved Twice and donate what you can - anything helps. And next time you think about "buying local", remember those who are right here pulling up their shirtsleeves and making it happen.

As the Executive Director, I feel it's my responsibility to share with you that we now have 10…read moreboard members that spend over 100 hours monthly to ensure we have a great program for kids/youth every Saturday. We are constantly trying new projects based on the feedback we receive from students and guardians. Please take the time to bring your kids or join us as a volunteer. I guarantee this will be the most rewarding program as a volunteer and the most nurturing program for kids/youth every Saturday from 12-5. I guarantee this because every board member and volunteers have heart. Everyone present wants to be here and they jumped through 15 hoops to get qualified to be there. Don't take my word for it, come by and see.

Great organization doing important youth development work in West Oakland. Best place to do…read morecommunity service in West Oakland...every Saturday!

Free store for all residents. Very unique concept of charity and I like it…read more The surrounding neighborhood is full of the best and most expensive restaurants and trendy bars. Whole Foods and marufuku ramen and Bakesale Betty - all this money flowing for luxury and entertainment when steps away local residents are struggling for necessities. I honestly don't know too many details about this store. I happened to be driving by and noticed it. I had to stop and take a look around and see what they needed. Clean blankets and sleeping bags, men's clothing, batteries, portable lamps and coolers... I was going to donate a bunch of stuff to Savers - that is a for profit company which sells 5 gallon buckets you get for free from Harbor Freight for $8.99. I'd rather donate elsewhere - Salvation Army or better here. If you can make donations its a great thing to do. Not all are able to donate much money but sometimes you can donate your time or things you no longer need more easily.