The staff is very good at making things happen for the people who are in need of help and supportread more

Many are "helped", in ways, but I have to wonder if they do inform all their clients completely…read moreabout some of the possible implications involved in their cases. However, be aware that they are funded, in part, by the City of Berkeley, so there may be some 'conflicts of interest'. And when it comes to helping people obtain their rightful public benefits that they are eligable to receive, if/when any of the other local "nonprofit" agencies do you dirty, they will not support you in these cases, They refuse any cases that put them in "adverse relations with other local agencies".

The city team Oakland location helped me and my son out immensely. I reached out to a program…read morecoordinator at another place in west Oakland that shared Cityteam with me. The coordinator set up details for clothing distribution as I mentioned I needed clothes for my little and I. The clothing closet was huge and there was more than enough to look through. Please keep them in mind when looking to donate clothing, men's / women's / and children's of all sizes. I for one needed the help and I thank you for providing that.

I go here with my program week during the week for charity stuff and organizing clothes and putting…read morefood on the table serving the people and helping them on track. Also I help clean the kitchen. The staff is really nice name outgoing and the service and the food is amazin

Jose Sanchez just helped me with a large seismic retrofit of my downslope Montclair house. The…read morecrawl space is very large and there was a significant amount of work. Jose was a please to work with and did a very professional job. His carpentry skills were great, he was very thorough and detail oriented. Would strongly recommend him for any project around your house.

Absolute waste of time. Definitely should have them see your scope of work before scheduling. Saida…read morewas the person we dealt with, we were in a group of neighbors, and the scope of work designated per day for these workers was done by her without the wherewithal to understand what she was getting them into. Fast forward to the day off, no one shows up and she was cc-d on all emails. Excuse was she had one neighbor who did the scheduling. Not worth the price for all the headache.

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.

The WDDIC is a critical source of help for local women who are in immediate need of help. They can…read moreprovide hot meals for women and children who are displaced from COVID rental evictions, or who are fleeing domestic abuse. There is no judgement -- if you need help, it will be given to their fullest capability. I am always happy to donate baby wipes, diapers, cash, or whatever they need. Without this help, especially now with COVID and the cold weather, there are many women who would be in serious trouble without this organization.

Really good community resource! Free food and hygiene products, also offers mental health…read morecounseling. Everyone there cares a lot about the community.

I recently lost weight so I donated a full wardrobe and also gently worn and new shoes. I recommend…read moredonating your gently used clothes, shoes and any other items here rather then a Goodwill because they can be given to the people who need them for free rather then donating to an establishment that will resell them. Some people just don't have the funds to even buy from a thrift or second hand store so giving directly to the people who need it is best.

their breakfast usually suck, but their lunches are top notch. Thank you for everything!read more

Awesome Organization!!!…read more They Take Donations Of Certain Medical Equipment And Supplies!! They Then Redistribute The Medical Equipment And Supplies To People That really Need Them!! It's First Come First Served!!! I have 2 Friends That Use Their Services Exclusively!!!! One is Nicknamed Ed Flintstone he is on Social Security and Uses Adult Diapers which he gets every week from the ReCares Network!!! He has Even gotten a Berry Atric Walker and a Wheelchair for Future Usage My Other Friend Is Called Randy Big Sexy!!! He Is A Diabetic and Weighs 500 Pounds and Is 6Ft 4 Inches !!! Unfortunately he suffers from Low Esteem and Has a Chip on his Shoulder and Feels Like The World Owes Him Everything!!! Thank God for ReCares he Gets His Diabetes Supplies , Dressings , Adult Diapers, Walker and Canes from there !!! People and Organizations like this are Heaven Sent!!! This Charity Is A Baller On A Budget Approved!!! I keep my Pimp Hand Strong!!!! Number # 34 On The Yelp Top # 50 List Of Most Prolific Yelp Elites of 2025!!!

As a mover, I love having a place where I can drop off durable medical equipment and expendables…read moreeasily, and know that they are going to go to the people who really need them. This is the kind of operation that makes our community better.

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.