The bamc way

What makes BAMC unlike any other nonprofit is our 4-pronged organizational model to tackle and address systemic racism, unequal opportunity, economic disparity, and educational inequality. 

Our 4-progned organizational strategy includes: 

1) Community Engagement & Empowerment, 

2) One-Stop-Shop Delivery of Holistic Human Services, 

3) Agape Life Coaching, and 

4) Systemic Advocacy. 

In addition, unlike many smaller nonprofits that offers services to specific populations, our target population is broad and unrestricted, so that we can help as many people as possible.

The aim of our Community Engagement & Empowerment (CEE) programs is to increase the utilization of essential support services by people of color, troubled youth, and other marginalized populations. 

To achieve this, we will do regular street and community outreach to inform marginalized populations about available community resources, and empower them to access and take advantage of existing supports and opportunities. Our goal is to reach the unreached and support the unsupported.

The following is a brief description of our CEE programs and initiatives:

Street Outreach & Community Engagement Program – Our Street Outreach & Community Engagement Program does regular outreach in impoverished neighborhoods, which includes feeding the homeless; passing out necessary supplies; and informing individuals about available resources, supports, and opportunities.

Oakland Community Providers Collaborative – Just like it takes a village to raise a child, it will take a village of community providers to come together to transform lives and heal communities. BAMC facilitates this by hosting regular engagement events for Oakland human services providers and nonprofits. We create a space for providers to connect, learn about one another, share insights, and collaborate. 

Community Resource Ambassadors Program – This program will train individuals in the community to be Community Resource Ambassadors (CRA) – community leaders that are knowledgeable about community resources and proactively helps people in their neighborhood get connected to the resources and supports they need. 

Campaign INSPIRE – The goal of this CEE initiative is to inspire, motivate, and empower the Bay to be great! We host regular motivational events and inspirational workshops featuring gifted motivational speakers. Campaign INSPIRE is also a marketing campaign aimed at inspiring, empowering, and uplifting the Bay.

The aim of BAMC’s holistic human services is to improve the quality of life and overall well-being of people of color, at-risk youth, and other disadvantaged or marginalized populations. 

Below is an overview of our human services programming:

Warriors on the Rise – The goal of our Warriors on the Rise Program is to help people address, overcome, and tackle whatever may be holding them back or preventing them from becoming the best version of themselves.

Program Offerings:

§ Personal Development Workshops

§ Life Skills Workshops

§ Support Groups

§ Life Coaching

§ Onsite “Anonymous” groups meetings

Professional Development & Career Center – This center is devoted to helping individuals achieve their professional and career goals. 

Program Offerings:

§ Professional Development Workshops

§ Career Planning & Advisement

§ Job & Vocational Training

§ Job Placement Services

Self-Sufficiency Center - BAMC’s Self-Sufficiency Center strives to increase the self-sufficiency skills of people of color. In other words, we aim to help marginalized people better meet their own needs. 

Program Offerings:

§ Housing and Homeownership Assistance

§ Health and well-being workshops

§ Home Economics Classes/Workshops

§ Financial Literacy Training

§ Investment Planning Services

§ Small Business Development Services

§ Gardening Classes

§ Free Child Care for program participants

BAMC Educational Center – Our Educational Center helps people realize their educational goals.

Program Offerings:

§ Academic Counseling and Advisement

§ GED Classes

§ College Advising

§ Scholarships & Grants

§ Financial Aid Advisement

§ College Tours

Homeless & Reentry Services – Services within this department are tailored for our unsheltered community.

Program Offerings:

§ Food, Shelter, Clothing, and Supplies

§ Prisoner re-entry support and advocacy

Counseling and Mental Health Services – BAMC is very passionate about teaching people to be better stewards over their thought-life. We are also passionate about increasing access to mental health services by people of color.

Program Offerings:

§ Free and for-profit counseling services

§ Family counseling

§ Mental health workshops

§ Mindfulness workshops

Recreation Center – BAMC will offer an array of recreational opportunities to children, youth, and adults including:

Program Offerings:

§ A fitness facility

§ Dance Studio

§ Arcade/Game Room

§ Youth Sport Teams 

§ Recording Studio

§ Meditation Garden

Agape Life Coaching (ALC) is an integral aspect of our organizational approach to empowering and transforming lives. We call our life coaches “Agape Life Coaches” because we believe in the power of service provided from a spirit of unconditional love. We know what it is like to go to a place for help only to be treated inconsiderately. Every person who walks in the doors of BAMC is treated with respect and love. In our facility, we love one another as we would want to be loved, and treat one another how we wish to be treated. 

Our ALCs are the point of contact for clients, helping them develop a self-sufficiency plan, and navigate needed support services. ALCs are trained to serve diverse populations with a spirit of love and compassion. They are passionate individuals with a motivational energy, skilled at empowering people to strive diligently toward the achievement of their goals and dreams.

Program Offerings

§ Life Skills Workshops

§ Support Groups

§ Life Coaching

§ Motivational Events & Conferences

In addition to providing direct services to individuals, we believe that fighting for systemic change that better supports marginalized populations is equally important in order to transform communities. Historically, legislation in America has disfavored people of color. So, another integral aspect of BAMC’s programming is instilling individuals with the leadership and advocacy skills to be able to advocate for systemic change themselves. 

Our systemic advocacy programming includes:

Leadership Development Training – BAMC’s Leadership Development program will prepare individuals to be a voice for those who are marginalized, disadvantaged, and under-resourced. Program participants will receive public speaking training, learn about politics and the legislative process, and be given opportunities to “be a voice” on behalf of their community.

Youth & Adult Advisory Boards – Members of our advisory boards will also receive leadership development training. However, in addition, they will be trained to prepare advisory reports that will be shared with city and county legislators. 

Community and Systemic Advocacy Training – This program will train and prepare individuals to be Community and/or Systemic Advocates.