From serving 78,000 meals in GRIP’s small kitchen, launching a playground renovation so shelter children have a safe and nurturing place to play, creating alternative health options for the unhoused population, to coming face to face with the growing needs of our community, GRIP’s 2024 accomplishments and 2025 vision laid out in the February 27th annual meeting were inspiring and challenging.
Last year, 11,600 outreach meals were served along with 78,123 more at the Souper Center kitchen, with thousands of sandwiches lovingly prepared by faith communities and delivered to GRIP. The year-round warming center cared for 342 single adults, while 45 families and 131 individuals cycled through the shelter. Of those, 15 families were moved to permanent housing, with the average stay for families lasting six months if they are citizens or two years if they lack documents. Experts shared more about their work at the event at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley last month.
“Those numbers tell you that the work we’re doing is important, and on the flipside, that the work we are doing is still necessary. It takes all of us working together to touch those who need us and offer a helping hand,” said Executive Director Ralph Payton.
Caring for so many people in the West County region is not getting easier. GRIP’s $1.7 million operating costs are more expensive, rising 23% because of the warming center and increasing food costs, and attendees predicted more challenges to come.
“A lot of what we are seeing with potential federal cutbacks will cause more people to become homeless,” warned Supervisor John Gioia in his remarks. “Some of the proposals coming out of Washington would cut back food stamps, would cut back temporary aid to needy families, would cut back preschool for low income families. All of these things will make all of our jobs harder to keep people out of homelessness.”
Support from the community and support from the county are critical if GRIP is to expand.
“The need is so great now in Richmond that we no longer have resources to bring our Outreach Team outside of the city of Richmond,” Payton added.
Enhancing outreach, improving services, and diversifying funding were the three key focus areas from the board’s strategic planning session, and they form the basis of the initiatives for the year.
One of the powerful ways GRIP is improving services is through the Early Childhood Mental Health program. Assistant Executive Director Samantha Watson addressed the large group of GRIP supporters, volunteers, and staff explaining that 1.2 million children between birth and age six will experience homelessness. In California, one third of all people in homelessness are families with children.
“When you experience homelessness, surviving is what becomes the priority, not exploration, not social skills, it’s ‘what do I need to do to survive,’” said Watson. “Play promotes healing is the overarching concept.”
“Play gives relief, it helps us de-stress, so we’re creating a space for play and socialization, and we also have created a parent’s support group and emotional support in this space,” said Watson.
Her team’s work will expand from two days a week at GRIP to five. At the same time, the new playground is taking shape thanks to a new $25,000 grant from the city and $50,000 more raised from generous corporations and community groups and volunteers. Demolition is done and permits are being sought to move into the building phase.
GRIP’s ethos of “treating every individual with dignity and respect” makes the transition from losing housing to getting back on your feet and thriving much easier. Maria Loera, a single mother of three, moved from the family shelter into permanent housing and shared her experience.
“It took a lot to be in this space and mindset. It was scary, but with GRIP, Ralph, and everyone there… they were welcoming and made the experience amazing,” Loera said.
“You don’t know the amount of help that you can get from anyone until you take that step. With the help from every resource they’ve given me, with my caseworker, with everyone that I met there I have held on to a bond that I never knew I could ever have. I want to thank everyone from GRIP and everyone who’s been there to support this opportunity for me and my family.”
“It’s uplifting to be with all of you because the GRIP family, whether you are board, volunteer, staff, or a congregation, this is about all of you and how we work together to get people off the street and into homes,” Supervisor Gioia said. “GRIP has always been a valued partner for the county and we appreciate that and want to grow that relationship.“
Incoming board member Nakele Rechenauer talked about those waiting to move into permanent housing, saying “When we come together and help our friends and neighbors we’ll make home where the heart is.”
Another facet of improving services involves The Fountain Project, now offering free acupuncture, chiropractic care, massage therapy, occupational therapy, osteopathy, and life coaching for clients at the warming center and family shelter.
Combining that with the vegetable garden and workshops around healthy living from the high school gardening program “Planet to Plate” that will be hosting workshops at GRIP, the holistic services beyond just food, but self-care, health care, and mental health continue to blossom.
Recognition of volunteer groups rounded out the evening, with Open Door United Methodist Church, Southside Church of Christ, Arlington Community Church, Sims Metals, Susan Francis, Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, and Ray Westergard being recognized, and a separate commendation for Westergard for his years of service. Board member, Harmony Walk chair, and long-time volunteer Jilly de la Torre also was honored with special recognition for her continuing contributions.
Attendee and volunteer Susan Francis from Arlington Community Church, said, “I support GIRP because I love being there, the atmosphere is very positive, and I think people respond to that well, and there are smiles everywhere. The staff are very positive and optimistic. You feel the love when you’re there.”
Volunteer Diane Carroll added, “I moved here a couple years ago and have been looking for a place to volunteer in my community and found GRIP online. I just love the positive atmosphere with the people here.”
Susan Russell from Arlington Community Church said, “They do a great deal for the community with limited resources, and I feel very strongly that everybody needs to help within the community.”
Tiffany Harris from Rotary Club of Richmond said, “I’m involved with GRIP because of their cause and what they do for our city and helping the unhoused.”
Zee Handoush from Rotary Club of Richmond said, “I’ve seen what GRIP does. I’ve seen how they help the community and people in the community. It’s amazing to watch them and see what they do, and to follow the journey of a homeless person who GRIP has helped. I’ve seen GRIP in action and I really appreciate what they do in our community.”
Don Lau from Rotary Club of Richmond said, “I love GRIP because it’s collaborative. I like working in the community and collaborating with all the non profits in the area because I think as a group we’re better than as individuals.”
