Loreen is one of the Mission’s newest clients. Chronically homeless, and suffering from mental health issues, Loreen is in need of psychiatric medication and housing, both of which the Mission is making efforts to provide with the assistance of Bay Area Community Services (BACS). November 2022
Harry is in between housing, and is at least enjoying the shelter of a tent and visitations from the Mission until he gets back on his feet. The Mission will do whatever it can to support that goal. November 2022
More food for the hungry troops. Alameda County Food Bank provides over 6,000 lbs. of food for the Mission monthly, which is about 50% of our distribution. November 2022
Bonnie has been a grateful recipient of the Mission’s love for almost two decades. Because of our consistent interest in her life over the years, Bonnie has managed to avoid many of the unforgiving pitfalls of homelessness which result in serious illness and death. She is now residing with friends in comfortable housing, where the Mission continues to support her brave efforts to triumph over prostitution and drug addiction. November 2022
A typical day for the Mission near downtown Oakland. We deliver food, blankets, warm clothing, tents and other essentials to needy people 7 days a week. November 2022
Gerardo is one of our many Hayward stops, who gladly receives clothing, food, blankets and other necessities every evening from the Mission. November 2022
Paul is 63 years old, lived at the Oakland Hotel for five years and has been homeless for the past couple months. Recently he wasn't able to stand when he woke in the morning. He finally agreed to go to Summit Hospital where the doctors diagnosed severe arthritis aggravated by the cold nights outdoors. They transferred him to the Fruitvale Healthcare Center where we hope he will stay to have his health problems dealt with. 2016
Update: Paul likes the Fruitvale Center and is happy there.
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Kietly told us his brother brought him water every afternoon and that his case worker, Kathy, was looking for housing,but he was defecating in his bedding, urinating on himself, and not able to stand without help.
The Crisis Response Team sent him to Highland hospital where doctors discovered a large burn, up and down his side, possibly caused by a cigarette fire.
He is being held on a 5150 for 72 hours, but we are unable to track his progress and speak to a hospital social worker on his behalf so that he won't be re-released to this doorway due to patient confidentiality. 2016
One of our volunteers, Dave, is trying to help Gregg get off the streets, worrying that he won't make it through another Winter. October 2016
This is Lilly...Lilly is a really special person. She was hit by a bus and thrown across the street. When she opened her eyes, she saw the paramedics. Lilly has been off the streets for about a year, she has been sober for about the same. She is mostly wheelchair bound because of the bus accident. 2016
Quince is 68 years old, and has been homeless for at least a decade. We are in the process of placing him into suitable housing arrangements. We visit him every day, and administer life saving medication such as insulin, as well as psych-meds. 2016
Update: After being placed in a skilled nursing facility, Quince lived for several years in residential housing, but recently had to be moved to hospice care. November 2022
Joe, aka “Moses”, lives in the Dimond district of Oakland. One of the most charismatic and intelligent of our clients. He is always positive. The many books that he reads has made him an excellent conversationalist. December, 2018
Delphine was dying on the streets with stage 4 kidney disease and glaucoma. However, through our outreach, we re-connected her to her family, got her off the streets, and off the vodka. We administer medication to her daily, and ensure that she stays put. As a result, the doctors at the East Bay Nephrology Medical Group in Berkeley have pleasantly, and with much surprise, announced that her physical condition has improved so much, that she is actually no longer in mortal danger. December, 2018
Delphine was a long time abuser of drugs and alcohol, suffering from chronic kidney disease and glaucoma on the streets of Oakland. It was not uncommon to find her on the sidewalk, soaking in her own urine and feces. The Mission got her medical attention and back into her family home, where she now benefits from the love and care of family and friends. Her physical condition has improved miraculously, despite her blindness, and she still enjoys the daily visits from the Mission, which makes every effort to stay in people’s lives, which is the key to greatly improving their chances of success. November, 2022
The widows and orphans of the world; they are always excited to see us with food and blankets. December 2018
Eric is a true success story. Once wandering the streets in a violent mania, delusional, and paranoid. We have managed to stabilize him through prescribed psychiatric medication which has enabled him to finally come off the streets, and enjoy the stability of domesticity. December, 2018
Mission for the Homeless continues to provide Eric with psychiatric medication, without which he would be incapable of functioning in society. Our daily visits also provide stabilization in his life and ensure that he remains off the streets.
November 2022
Barry has been a friend and client of the Mission for at least 5 years now. The Mission found him on a street corner in Fremont in his wheelchair, filthy, and severely mentally ill. After having stabilized him with psychiatric medication, and advocating for him before the medical and psychiatric community, the Mission helped place him in a first-rate nursing facility where he enjoys the care and comforts his physical condition requires. We visit him 7 days a week.
November 2022
Ronald , 65 yrs. old, was found at Lafayette Square Park immobile on a bench, and lying in his own feces. We cleaned him up, got him housing, and through frequent visitation, keep him up and walking to prevent the atrophy which had plagued him for so long. December, 2018
One of several houses the Mission is renting for some of its more elderly and infirm clients who can’t make it on the streets. November 2022
Ronald enjoys a hot meal at one of the Mission’s several homes. Ronald has been a client of the Mission for close to a decade now. November 2022
Michael enjoys the comforts of his own room at one of the Mission’s houses. We found Michael on a bus bench, disabled, and virtually naked. We took him off the streets, got him primary medical care, and continue to manage his life. November 2022
J.D. is deaf and unable to walk. We found him naked and sitting in his wheel chair at a bus stop downtown. Our outreach managed to find him housing, and we continue to visit him with a smile and the snacks that he loves. December, 2018
Update: J.D. is at Fairmont Hospital, Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, San Leandro in long-term care where his specialized needs can be met. November 2022
Dudley is an old-timer, and is often camped outside the Police Department in downtown Oakland. We have been working with him for years, providing him with blankets, food and warm clothing. His mental illness has posed a bit of a problem as far as housing, but we are hoping that with time, things can change for this gentleman. Every individual is unique, and requires a careful and selective methodology of support. December, 2018
Whenever Dudley is not around, we still have his back! He knows where to find his stash! November 2022
John happily received a large tent from us that day, along with food, a blanket and a hygiene kit, which along with socks, is a frequent request among the homeless. November 2022
A brief house call visit to Joe. These visits ensure that people don’t suffer serious illnesses on the streets without proper medical care. November 2022
Several of the Mission’s many drop-off sites. The needy know where to go to find food on our daily route. November 2022
Camped outside of Social Services. How ironic. What kind of society are we living in? December, 2018
“Crazy Dave” – notorious on the streets for many years. He is always pleasant, always smiling, and always providing a good word for everyone. He loves our daily deliveries. December, 2018
Campers, trailers, and mobile homes are a frequent sight in the Homeless Community around downtown Oakland. Knock, knock! November 2022
last modified: December 20, 2022