GRIP is an interfaith, multi-racial coalition with 40 member congregations from a variety of faith traditions - Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims, Sikh, Buddhist - working together to address critical issues of human dignity and social justice. GRIP celebrates the diversity of our multi-cultural community and draws upon a variety of traditions and cultures to “actively seek solutions” to “the issues of justice that affect the poor and the disenfranchised of our society…to empower all people”. GRIP “provides the opportunity for…diverse groups to work together in mutual respect, to carry out a deeply held commitment to heal the world around us.” (from mission statement)

"Unit[ing]... thoughts and actions to work together to address issues of economic disparity and social injustice", through both advocacy and education to tackle the root causes of problems as we provide services to meet critical needs, for over 40 years, GRIP has been providing services to the community, and, for over 20 years, services and shelter to the homeless population, primarily in West Contra Costa County, but, also, all over the SF Bay Area. Today, GRIP's focus is on three core initiatives: providing food; providing shelter; and providing supportive services to help homeless families transition to self-sufficiency.

GRIP first created and developed programs to meet community needs in 1971, with its Richmond Emergency Food Pantry, followed in 1974 by the West County Rape Crisis Center (now STAND! Against Domestic Violence), then the Richmond Farmers Market, West County Adult Day Care and Alzheimer's Respite Center, Community Housing Development Corporation of N. Richmond, West Contra Costa Food Security Council, Community Land Trust, Contra Costa Asthma Coalition, Muli Congregational Breast Cancer Partnership, Learn ASAP, and many more. Today, these and other programs GRIP initiated continue to operate with their own community boards. 

In 1985, GRIP first became a service provider, with the opening of the Souper Center. GRIP’s revolving Emergency Winter Shelter Program for Homeless Families was initiated in 1993; the West County Resource Center has operated since 1995.

GRIP’s successful development of a $3.5 million integrated services facility – the new “Souper Center” Family Housing and Supportive Service Center - opened July 2006. The 12,000 square ft. structure houses the Souper Center; Resource Center; and, the new Family Housing Program, providing 75- year-round beds for emergency shelter and transitional housing. In March 2007, GRIP began operating a permanent housing program for eight dual diagnosed mentally ill and chronically homeless individuals at a rental unit adjacent to the “Souper Center”.

Since 1999, GRIP has served as fiscal sponsor for several programs operated by the Contra Costa County Health Services Department; the Brookside and Concord Shelters have been included since 2001. GRIP budget currently exceeds $3,500,000; $2,400,000 represents fiscal sponsor projects.

In addition to our core programs, GRIP is involved in community education and advocacy for a variety of social and economic justice programs, immigration issues, health care reform, affordable housing, education and violence prevention.

GRIP is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors drawn primarily from our member congregations, and includes a representative from the homeless community. Programs are operated by a small paid staff, with tremendous support from a network of thousands of volunteers who perform tasks ranging from preparing and serving meals to coordinating activities with shelter guests.

If you think your congregation or organization may be interested in becoming a member, click here for more information.