Mission

Established in 1965, the Bay Area Rescue Mission (‘BARM’) exists to love its homeless and hungry neighbors without limits—all while valuing their dignity and intrinsic worth. Committed to its mission of “Fighting Homelessness and Changing Lives,” BARM’s programs and services have grown in response to the needs of those it serves over the past five decades. Located in the heart of Richmond, California, BARM cares for the whole person. For the body: food, shelter, warm showers, fresh clothes, and medical services. For the hands: job skills training in culinary arts, warehousing, administration, construction, janitorial services, and more. For the mind: computer training, GED classes and certification, financial literacy education, skills to break drug and alcohol dependency, and legal assistance. For the heart: parenting classes, anger management classes, spiritual guidance, counseling, and, most importantly, compassion. BARM refuses to surrender to the idea that poverty is here to stay. We’re committed to empowering the community to bend the curve through our Hunger Relief Services, Life Transformation Program, Emergency Shelter, and Center for Women and Children. The Chief of the Richmond Police Department, Chief Bisa French, calls BARM "a haven." "[BARM] is a gem in our community. It's a place where people experiencing homelessness can have a safe place to lay their heads, a warm meal to eat, and people who are loving and caring to get them back on their feet."