Bay Area Rescue Mission - Richmond, California

Ezra

This place is not for the people and will kick you out based on popularity contest there was only two staff members in particular who were a real Christian, real women of God and who truly loved doing thier job with love and care and thier name was Lealie and Tina. But other than that the other staff members play favorites they don't supply the shelter guest with the proper things that they need they harbor most of the things that are donated and give the donated items to the guest that they like. I wouldn't recommend this place to any woman going through real trauma as I was going through real trauma and I was mistreated and bullied out of the facility when I truly needed to help I followed everyone to a tea I kept my room clean I cleaned like a mad woman and I still was bullied and put out of the facility for no reason at all

Symphony B.

This is only a place to come if you REALLY have no where to go. The staff does not care about the people who stay in the shelter and they are rude as hell. The main draw they use is being Christian based. Well, if this is a Christian based program and this is how Christians are I want NOTHING to do with the religion.

Chante M.

They kicked out someone working for me in a different city just cause she wouldn’t be back by the curfew, and she has 2 small babies. Lady on the phone was very rude. I would give this place 0 stars.

James L.

I volunteer there. It's a great place for people going through hardships of different sorts. It's in a tough area and is a beacon of hope for many people caught in the turmoil of life's ups and downs. They serve over 60,000 meal's per month to people who are really in desperate situations. They take in people who don't have anywhere else to go and they offer a program and educational tools to the folks who apply themselves. It's a Worthy cause for your donations, the money goes to good use.

Tiara J.

The staff are VERY condescending, biased, and argumentative. They don't solve issues well and don't truly respect the people here; disregarding. They aren't very professional and have claimed that we have to solve the issues ourselves- ones that happen on campus- which can lead to more tension or a fight. They're also constantly threatening to kick people out ESPECIALLY for the smallest of reasons.

The procedure for entering their cafeteria is pretty unsanitary. They don't provide people a place to wash their hands, nor do they give hand sanitizer. They force people-especially women- to exit around 7am in VERY sketchy/dangerous area.

With all of the stuff that they don't catch going on in rooms-like people inappropriately pleasuring themselves or staring you down in the middle of the night-it makes it a very unsettling place to stay. I'd be surprised if you could even fall asleep with the small amount of time that you have been lights out (9:30pm) and the wake up announcement (5:45am). Don't be fooled by it being a 30 day shelter, most days people walk out of here with barely any sleep like a zombie into a dark street. Until 5pm people have to figure out where they can loiter with most places being closed; outside it is (rain or heat).

Add all of this together and let's hope that you won't fall into depression and start drinking or doing drugs. This shelter isn't great at all. Also, don't bet on their "year long" program either. It's requires you not to work-you might not have any income- for 8 months and then you have 4 months to find a "real job". It may be worse that the shelter especially as to beds in a room.

Christine L.

I love this place. The amount of people who this place serves/helps on a daily basis is commendable. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner to the public and have a shelter/ Drug program as well. On Fridays they have food and household item donations and on Mondays they have the free healthcare van for the homess as well as portanle showers. Staff is freindly, as well as volunteers. Very very helful place for those on need.

Lina

Looking for a place who does not sell their donations and was referred to BARM, a non-profit organization.
After reading some negative reviews on BARM and referrals to other locations, I decided to chose BARM due to first impression via phone.
Upon arrival was immediately assisted.
Very organized warehouse effect.
The empathy felt via phone, great customer service and good team work shown in person spoke volume.

richard M.

Great place to get your life together if you want it it’s not a motel or a hotel so you can’t have it your way but if you do the program they will help you out they did for me and I can’t thank them enough for changing me life and installing God at my for front of my life