Catholic Charities in Alameda, Contra Costa County and Oakland region.
Basic and emergency needs can be addressed by Catholic Charities in Oakland, Contra Costa, and Alameda County California. Many of the programs are provided to address rent and housing needs, homeless prevention, job or educational support, and similar needs. A major focus in on helping minorities, the poor, women, immigrants and vulnerable.
There are multiple locations around the Bay area and city of Oakland. Many of the Catholic Charity centers are at churches. Whether it is food, information on medical care or housing resources, immigration help, or something else, assistance is offered.
Catholic Charity housing assistance in Contra Costa and Alameda County
Seniors can receive assistance from the Cassidy Program for Homeless. This program will provide emergency financial assistance to low-income seniors who are marginally housed or homeless. Catholic Charities runs this program in an ongoing collaboration with St. Mary's Senior Center in Oakland California, and together they provide direct assistance to elderly clients. This Cassidy Program is but one of many that is available and that may be able to help the needy.
If a senior comes to an office, they will be assigned to a Catholic Charities of the East Bay case manager. They will review the applicants background and needs, and determine if the senior qualifies for any additional housing or emergency services. Any housing that an individual is placed into needs to be affordable and they need to be able to pay the rent on their own going forward.
Homeless prevention and housing counseling offers a number of tenant and homeowner programs and resources. The Catholic Charities Housing Counseling program provides education and information regarding tenant responsibilities and rights. Get help and information on how to prevent homelessness and maintain housing. Dial (925) 825-3099, and get advice in both English and Spanish.
Foreclosure counseling is also offered in Oakland California. For homeowners who are behind on their mortgage or who are facing foreclosure, Catholic Charities offers free one-on-one counseling services with a HUD approved housing counselor. They also refer homeowners who may be facing a foreclosure to other assistance programs that can provide emergency mortgage help.
Financial help, medical and social services
WellCard Health can help people pay medical bills. It provides qualified applicants with discounts on the costs of vision care providers, pharmacies, hearing care specialists, and patient advocacy groups. Savings can also be offered on prepaid imaging and lab tests, patient advocacy services, and more. It is a program that offers free help in paying for medical bills. Read more about medical bill assistance.
The Monument Community Senior Services Outreach Program, or MCSSO, is another program for people who are 55 years of age or older. The program provides case management, outreach and advocacy to promote health and wellbeing among senior citizens who live in Monument Corridor.
One-time rental assistance is offered from Critical Family Needs. Financial aid is only offered for a limited number of eligible families and individuals across Alameda and Contra Costa County. Assistance for paying rent is only provided to those who need emergency help to maintain their family well-being and who are experiencing a crisis. Only a small percentage of eligible applicants receive assistance because demand for emergency help greatly exceeds available funds.
Catholic Charity Refugee Resettlement Program – This is offered nationwide, including in Oakland. It can help refugees get settled and become self-sufficient as soon as possible. The services has helped people learn English, navigate the complex federal government system, prepare for the citizenship test, secure jobs, get educational skills, and integrate into American society.
Some of the challenges faced by immigrants and refugees include accessing affordable health care, finding housing and employment, adjusting to a new culture, learning or improving English skills, and navigating state of California and federal government services.
The facts are that some refugees have few job skills and/or low literacy skills. Many people arrive ready to look for a job and need the education, language skills, and work experience to be successful. About half of the Catholic Charity clients have basic English skills but need to improve them. Get help finding job openings in Oakland, filling out applications and even tips on obtaining an interview.
Free income tax preparation is offered by Catholic Charities of the East Bay. They participate in the Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Program, which was created and organized by the United Way of the Bay Area. All income tax preparers are highly trained and qualified.
Holiday and Free Christmas Community Programs is offered from Project Joybells. Hundreds of children from low income families in Alameda and Contra Costa County can receive free toys or gifts from Catholic Charities. They also work with other local non-profits, churches, and charities to provide free meals or food.
Some of the Catholic Charity locations (or satellites listed below) may give out other seasonal items, even including low income family free Christmas tree programs. Or they pass out ornaments, have volunteers hand out warm blankets or attire to the homeless in Oakland, and assist in other ways,
Catholic Charity job and long term support programs
Employment services are offered for refugees too. The Refugee Employment Program can help bring Bay Area employers and refugees together. It will match employers and local businesses in Oakland with immigrant candidates who are hard-working. Clients can gain employment opportunities and support services to help them integrate into the American way of life. Services provided for refugees and immigrants include:
- Financial Assistance for vocational training, transportation and other employment-related expenses.
- Vocational English as a Second Language classes and workshops.
- Employment counseling, which may be job preparation workshops. This includes topics such as public transportation/directions, work expectations in the USA, interview skills, pay checks and budgeting, worker’s rights, and safety and job applications.
- Job development, placement and ongoing follow-up services from a case manager.
Catholic Charities in the Oakland region and nearby counties tries to help immigrants, refugees, and GED people gain new skills or a job. There are ESL classes as well as computer coding or jobs for freelance or gig workers. Catholic Charities holds job fairs with service and tech companies, and are involved in many aspects of employment. Also learn about tips to make money from a hobby.
Advancing Child Care Education and Student Success, or Project ACCESS, provides qualified people with job training, career counseling and other employment support services. Resources are offered for non-native speakers of English who want to either enter or advance in the Early Childhood Education field.
A few different job training classes may be offered. They include Vocational ESL for Early Childhood Education, which is offered at Contra Costa College or Diablo Valley College. This will help people improve their English Skills. Linked ESL/ECE classes are provided as well. Receive additional, ongoing support from Tutorial Classes, which, among other things goes over goes over difficult vocabulary and concepts.
General career support is provided in Alameda and Contra Costa County California. Staff will help people practice interviewing, prepare a resume, and help people with job seeking skills.
Contra Costa and Alameda Catholic Charity locations
Main locations of the charity are as follows. There are multiple churches, resources, and partners as well. if one is not by you, or can’t assist, referrals may be offered.
- 433 Jefferson Street Oakland, California 94607, Main Phone: 510.768.3100
- 217 Harbour Way, Richmond CA 94801, Phone: 510.234.5110
- 3540 Chestnut Ave., Concord, CA 94519 Phone: 925.825.3099
Satellite Offices:
- 2210 Gladstone Drive, Pittsburg, CA 94565, Main phone: 925.439.5060
- 2000 Giaramita, Richmond, CA 94801, Call 510.236.3900
- 4700 Calaveras Ave., Fremont, CA 94538, Phone: 510.793.6465
- 1520 E. 15th Street, Oakland, California 94606, dial 510.543.4007
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