Love-A-Child Missions Homeless Recovery Shelter - Bay Point, California

Khe Harris

If you are motivated self-sufficient, trying to find permanent housing, and just in need of a safe place to get on your feet. This is not the place for you. They bring you under the guise that it is a homeless shelter, they first tell you your paying for shelter fees and that they want a 3 month commitment $650 a month for single bed in a shared room then once you sign you are told you are paying for “ the program” no one is paying the same amount almost like they charge what they want to charge that moment but in reality “the program “ is being enforced by other homeless residents who can be found in their spare time panhandling at the local grocery store. They are taken advantage of women in need and most of the positive reviews are the favored residents and friends of the director I have filed reports with dhcs/dfeh THEY ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE HOMELESS WHOM THEY KNOW HAVE VERY LITTLE OPTIONS IF YOU HAVE OTHER OPTIONS TAKE THEM THIS “program” is a set up

Shaye Clemente

I was fleeing domestic violence, my abuser is actively searching for me. I was dismissed from the program for being in the main office at 7pm.

I was a late intake the day previously and had support with my domestic violence advocate. I was extremely tired and didn’t catch all of the information. I figured I would find out more the next day. I went to sleep, left the property early on the morning- before 645a to get to work. The website says that they help with transportation to work, THEY DONT. It took me 3 hours to get to work via bus and BART for a 3 hour shift, and another 2-3 hours to get back. I was gone all day.

I called the program prior to arriving, letting them know I was gone at work and making my way back. I arrived back to the property around 645p and entered the office. I went in to ask questions about the program, how to fill out my schedule, and what I needed to do for classes, etc. I left quite early in the morning and knew I missed information so I was just asking for tips.

I am not familiar with Pittsburg at all and wanted to know more about the are, how to get around, advice and things like that. As I was talking to the woman, we talked about God, my journey, etc. I felt so much better. All of a sudden a woman named Courtney whom I have never met before or seen before came in to say that I wasn’t allowed to be in there. She spoke to the woman as if I were not there and said something along the lines of “you can’t let these people in here just tell them no. I saw the camera.” It was extremely rude and unwelcoming and I calmly explained that I was a new intake, and wanted to know more information and I took it upon myself to come in and ask what the requirements were, what I missed, classes.

The woman, Courtney said I needed to leave and could finish tomorrow. She then started speaking down to the new employee. This new employee is part of their work adjustment program and only made $10 for the WHOLE 8 hour shift. I calmly explained again to Courtney that this woman was just trying to help. I’m fleeing domestic violence and I’m in an unfamiliar area. Courtney said someone would call me and explain. I don’t believe that because nobody called me that day, I actually called in twice, and nobody knew who I was.

I explained to Courtney that I didn’t appreciate her tone and asked how they would get ahold of me since they failed to do so… and she quickly glanced at my work schedule and was like “we can have an appointment with you on Tuesday at 130p. I said that’s fine but I want my DV advocate there. As I’m trying to pack up to leave, she says, that Love a Child has no gates and I’m free to leave whenever I want. I explained that that was not what I wanted and I was grateful to be there.

I told her I wasn’t feeling comfortable talking to her, explained I had a social work background, and legal background. She asked what does it have to do with the conversation. I explained that she was escalating the situation, I have PTSD. She got visibly upset, and said I was being insubordinate and I was dismissed from the program. I asked her to please call my advocate and that any discussions and decisions need to be made by her as my PTSD symptoms were exacerbated by her.

She proceeded to cal police and told them I was there refusing to leave property. I said alright thank you, please call my advocate. They could not get in touch with my advocate.

As I was walking back to my unit (where I had only been there one night), she approached me saying I was free to pack my stuff. I was already going to grab my stuff, what was the point of her approaching me like that? To exacerbate my symptoms even MORE?

Apparently Courtney goes to Bay Church Concord, I also attend there. I’m so disappointed in how she handled the situation. This is not how a Christian behaves. I slept on the street last night. Had nothing with me and it was 50 degrees last night.
Isaiah 54:17 is what gets me through. But I am so sad and hurt by the lack of support especially female support.

Naomi

The place is infested with mice and roaches!!! The directors refuse to call pest control all they do is bomb and put down boric acid which obviously is NOT working. boric acid is extremely poisonous and there are a lot of young children living there which is concerning. It’s $400 for you and $100 per child. Some residents were paying over $800 to live in filth with bugs and rodents. It’s extremely sad. Me and my child were sick our entire time at love a child, we didn’t get better until we left. I had to take my child to the emergency room because a roach was stuck in their ear and my child was admitted and had to be treated for an infection with antibiotic's. The director dismissed me from the program because I had to stay overnight in the hospital with my child but honestly I was relieved because I did not want to return! They threatened to throw all of my belongings away if I did not retrieve by the end of the day. They wrote me up for missing church although I provided them a doctor’s note stating that me and my child were sick. I constantly got written up because the rules are unclear and certain rules only apply to certain residents. The staff are residents but they get away with things that other residents get written up for. They’re allowed to let their children play outside unattended with no shoes or proper clothes on but if another resident does that they are written up. The staff residents will literally write you up for anything just because they can. This program is obviously taking advantage of vulnerable women with children. Staff residents are obvious drug users but directors do not care. They do not drug test you upon acceptance into the program so they basically let anyone in. They say that they do random drug tests but the residents I talked to on a daily basis while I was there said they had never been drug tested during their time there. One resident even bragged about leaving to go smoke Meth. They do not provide any housing resources! They do not do case management! All they do is take your money and give you a bunk bed in a filthy cottage ingested with roaches and mice. BEWARE

Cecilia Sandoval

Tbh I had the worst experience i was in the hospital take to mind I was pregnant they called me the next day after I delivered my baby that if I didn’t pay my program fees I would lose my bed I had no where else to go I had my 2 kids my oldest 8 my middle 6 and my newborn they had no sympathy for what I was going through. This program lacks compaction and respect for there residents and the office needs lots of work Shannon needs to get out the office and Courtney needs to open her eyes. I am thankful but living at love a child shouldn’t b hard like they make it.

Kiara Moreland

I didn’t get the chance to stay here. But I did go through the application process . This shelter charges $450 for a single person to stay in a bed with also a $50 intake fee. This is a lot for someone who has zero income. They said that they would help even if you could not pay . But for me there’s too many requirements that made my decision about staying here. One requirement that surprised me is that If your dr has prescribed meds to you, you have to be on them to come into this program. Which was a no for me because I was in the process of changing drs & the medication she had me on induced diabetes so I had to stop taking them. If you want to be in this program you have to take all meds prescribed by your doctor no excuses. I would not recommend based off how much you have to pay just to be provided a bed.

Danielle Davis

Both my parents and my Grandma lived in this program and it helped better their lives. My Dad was there as a child with his Mother. My Mom was there before she met my Dad. They both were helped by Love A Child missions. My Mom and Dad now do missionary work for Love A Child. Since they have been doing work for homeless women and children I have met many children and mothers that Love A Child has and is still helping. GOD has Blessed this place and many people who have been through this shelter. I hope this review is helpful. Have a blessed day .

Sasha Fierce

They have roaches very unprofessional and wouldn't refer to anyone

mamatha mutyala

I was able to live for 11 months just because I walked the line with no complaints. It's an experience that will stay with me. Thank you for putting a roof on my head when I needed. I wish the staff and the favored residents will experience true meaning of Christian faith one day. that is what I wish you for. Thank you and God bless the down on the luck people