San Quentin staff tours local rescue mission

January 7, 2025

San Quentin staff tour the Bay Area Rescue Mission.

In mid-December, executive staff from San Quentin Rehabilitation Center toured the Bay Area Rescue Mission in Richmond.

Sgt. Jamesha Graves, administrative assistant to Warden Chance Andes, thought it would be a good idea during the holidays to provide coats for the less fortunate.

“It was rewarding and humbling to see all the great things the mission is doing for the people in the community,” Graves said. “Just to know that not one person is turned away has sparked my interest in committing to donate every year.”

Bay Area Rescue Mission receives donated coats from San Quentin staff. — Staff deliver coats to the Bay Area Rescue Mission.

The coats were loaded in a van and delivered to the mission by:

Associate Wardens E. Patao, N. Avila and T. Shorter
Capt. O. Ponce
(A) C&PR E. Casillas
Lt. G. Berry, public information officer
Sgt. Graves
and Warden C. Andes.

San Quentin staff learn about Bay Area Rescue Mission services

Upon arriving, staff were greeted by Vice President Stephanie Sewell, Ambassador & Civic Engagement Director Sherwin Harris, and Donor Relationship Specialist Mimi Wells who provided a tour of the facility.

They started in a warehouse area where miscellaneous items are donated by Costco, Safeway and other nearby stores. The warehouse services 40 other areas with $5 million dollars in donated goods.

There is typically a 24-hour turn around on food items with something similar to a farmers’ market offered daily. Also, Amazon selected the Bay Area Rescue Mission as its preferred charity with Amazon driving trucks for the shelter free of charge.

Established in 1965, the Bay Area Rescue Mission has grown to serve approximately 4,900 meals daily. They also provide shelter for more than 315 people each day, including 50 children.

The Bay Area Rescue Mission is the only shelter in the northern Bay Area that will provide shelter to an entire family. The organization prides itself on never turning anyone away unless their presence poses a risk to those around them or staff.

CEO Bram Begonia stayed overnight in the shelter, reporting they received a good night’s sleep.

The Rescue Mission is a faith-based organization, and those affiliated are typically associated with a religious group.

At any given time, 60 men are living in the men’s shelter. Several of the residents were previously incarcerated. Mission leaders say they have an excellent relationship with the Contra Costa County Probation office.

San Quentin staff were given a tour of the dining hall, where they met Chris Dikes, legendary chef and food manager. He briefly spoke about an award kitchen staff received for the food they prepare.

A brand-new workout station with equipment was donated by the Salvation Army, who rotates their inventory every 90 days.

Women’s shelter, clothing closet

“As we walked toward the three-story emergency women’s shelter, we observed several strollers and infant car seats. Most of the women are employed, so one of the areas that caught my attention was the ‘Blessing Boutique,’ an area known to make someone feel good about themselves,” according to Lt. Berry. “An unhoused person can go to the Blessing Boutique and take whatever they need in terms of clothing, shoes, coats, and purses.”

At the end of the tour, Warden Andes congratulated the shelter’s administration for their efforts to provide and promote change. He mentioned many similarities between the organization and CDCR.

“Regardless of others’ opinions, we are changing the way we do things to promote public safety,” Andes said. “We are trying to train the incarcerated to be successful.”

Learn more about the California Model on the CDCR website.

Story submitted by Lt. G. Berry