History

Started

GRIP Projects

1971

Richmond and San Pablo Food Pantries – both are still active.

1974

West County Rape Crisis Center – now known and operating as STAND! Against Domestic Violence.

1983

Richmond Farmers’ Market – currently held every Friday, adjacent to Richmond’s City Hall.

1985

West County Adult Day Care and Alzheimer’s Respite Center – Provides transportation, classes, therapy, lunch, personal care and caregiver support.

1985

Souper Center – administered by a small staff and thousands of volunteers, serves hot lunches to an average of 200 people a day, 365 days a year; Since GRIP opened the Family Housing Program, the Souper Center also provides over 25,000 breakfast and dinner meals throughout the year for a combined total of nearly 100,000 meals a year.

1986

Annual Harmony Walk – (GRIP’s signature fundraising event)
Started by a handful of dedicated supporters who raised a few thousand dollars in 1986, we raised more than $75,000 in 2009.

1990

Community Development Housing Corporation of North Richmond – currently a major community housing development corporation; has built over 200 low-income homes to date.

1993

Emergency Winter Shelter Program for Homeless Families – until March 2005; this program ran each year from mid-November to March (20 weeks). GRIP was one of the first interfaith programs in the state to provide overnight shelter, meals and support to homeless families.

1993

Low Income Housing Construction Partnership – with Habitat for Humanity, built 8 permanent low-income affordable houses in Richmond all occupied by first time home buyers.

1996

West County Resource Center – program currently provides case management, counseling, hot showers, clothes, washer and dryer, mail, telephone service, etc.

1996

Council of Issues and Advocacy – addresses concerns of racism, injustice, economic disparity and their effects on our communities; known today as the Social Justice Committee.

1998

Learn ASAP – fiscal sponsor and supporter for an afterschool academic enrichment program for immigrant children; the program currently provides academic support for children and adults (primarily from Southeast Asia).

1999

West Contra Costa Food Security Council and East-West Market Garden Project – improved access to quality produce in low-income areas of West Contra Costa; provided learning experiences and mental health assistance to youth at the Orrin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility (formerly the Byron Boy’s Ranch).

2000

West County Faith Collaborative – provide tutors in Math and English as well as assistance understanding CA high school exit examinations and school disciplinary processes to Richmond and Kennedy High School youth and their parents.

2001

Multi-Congregational Breast Cancer Partnership – created health ministries to educate and provide support for women with breast cancer.

2001

Community Land Trust – involved broad segments of the community, including faith groups, government, labor, non-profit organizations, and concerned citizens in planning a community land trust.

2001

Fiscal Management – extended fiscal management to support other county programs, starting with the Brookside and Concord Shelters.

2001

Contra Costa Asthma Coalition – fiscal management through County Health Services Department (ongoing).

2001

Celebrated 35th anniversary and kicked-off fund development campaign for a new $3.5 million Family Housing and Supportive Service Center to include a 75-bed facility to house homeless families (which opened in 2006 – see below).

2002

Fiscal Management – for County’s Transitional Aged Youth Program Facilities: Cali House and Appian Way Housing Facilities.

2004

Community Health Empowerment/Contra Costa Needle Exchange Program – provides fiscal management and support for this important program.

2006

GRIP Family Housing and Supportive Service Facility – completed construction and opened the new GRIP facility – co-located with the new “Souper Center” and existing West County Resource Center and providing 75 year-round beds and services for homeless families.

2007

Transitional Aged Youth Program – expansion to include Bissell Cottages and High Hopes Facility.

2007

Green Program at the GRIP Family Housing and Supportive Service Center – includes solar panel installation and comprehensive recycling efforts.

2008

Initiated a grass-roots West Contra Costa County Mental Health Task Force – focusing on information and planning. Included residents with mental health family members, NAMI, County Mental Health staff, Richmond Police Department and Mayor’s Office personnel as well as other concerned residents and local government officials.