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More Information on Services

GRIP works to address critical issues of human dignity and social justice that affect the poor, the homeless and the disenfranchised. We don’t believe anyone should be homeless, regardless of their physical, mental or fiscal circumstances. Our staff works hard to maintain a warm and welcoming environment to increase clients’ use of our services and to reduce homelessness. If you have a question or problem, whether it’s related to feeding, clothing or sheltering your family, setting up a bank account or clearing a warrant or traffic ticket, just ask. We’ll direct you to a solution. That’s what we’re here for.

Here is a bit more detailed information about the services we offer to community members in need.

Basic Services

Our homeless clients are encouraged and supported to use any or all of the services we provide. Basic services allow clients to bathe, use the phone and Internet, wash clothes, and obtain a temporary address to receive mail. These services are available Monday – Friday, from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm.

Comprehensive Services

We also encourage and support all of our clients to use the full complement of services we provide and to enter into case management where appropriate. Our services include:

Case Management Services: Our case managers work with each resident to develop an individual service plan that assesses needs, develops goals and activities that support self-sufficiency and identifies service needs. Case management services are provided initially for a half hour each week. Contact with case managers will gradually decrease over time as participants start achieving goals and progressing towards self-sufficiency.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services: These services are offered on a referral basis with various community and partner agencies. These agencies include North Richmond Neighborhood House (detoxification), Ujima West (female outpatient substance abuse treatment), Bi-Bett Corporation (outpatient and residential treatment services), and include local chapters of Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous.

Counseling Services: The West County Resource Center works with Contra Costa County to provide counseling in Mental Health, HIV/AIDS, Drug, Alcohol and Substance Abuse and Veterans issues, as needed.

Educational, Instructional, Employment and Vocational Services: The West County Adult School and Richmond Works provide educational, employment and vocational instructional services as needed to eligible clients. Together we help assess clients’ employment needs, provide job readiness and preparation assistance as well as offering GED classes and testing, computer training classes, and certain vocational and trade classes. Clients are provided services on a one-on-one basis and in groups. Housing workshops are provided through Housing Rights and Bayside Funding on a referral basis.

Health Related and Home Health Services: The West County Resource Center offers referral services for health, mental health, dental, and optical services. The Resource center is in partnership with Healthcare for the Homeless, the Mobile Healthcare van, County Clinics, and the Brookside Health Clinic.

Resident and Community Integration Activities: Residents are supported and encouraged to develop a sense of community among each other and neighborhood in which they live. This support involves monthly meetings, a shared garden, and a large activity courtyard. Residents participate in community meals and events hosted by GRIP, as well as external cultural and social activities in and around the community.

Hands on Banking®: Administered in partnership with Wells Fargo Bank, this online, self-paced learning tool teaches basic money management skills such as budgeting, saving, bank account management and services, borrowing money, establishing credit, investing, etc. This is a great financial, educational program that serves as a method to help propel our families into self-sufficiency.

supportive services: Many of these services are conducted on-site at the GRIP Permanent Housing Program site as well as next door at the West County Resource Center. Transportation support is available for medical appointments, employment and benefit appointments. Bus and BART are within blocks of the permanent housing program and many other resources are available within a 2 mile radius including legal, housing, educational, employment, and vocational assistance, as well as health and mental health services. County and state offices are located nearby, as well as a public library, food pantry, various treatment facilities, and shopping centers. Feel free to ask a staff member for directions to any of the above if you’re new to the area.

The Community Development Housing Corporation of North Richmond (CHDC) collaborates with GRIP to provide a certificated rental housing program for our clients to help them become more competitive in their pursuit of affordable rental housing. CHDC also provides first-time homebuyer workshops. CHDC is a NeighborWorks affiliate that’s been providing services for over 18 years; the corporation is recognized nationally for its exemplary housing counseling and affordable housing development. GRIP has been a partner of CHDC since the corporation’s inception.