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Programs
CityTeam International in Oakland offers several different programs that reach out to those severely in need. All of these programs incorporate a chance for our staff and volunteers to consistently walk along side someone and explain God's unconditional love for them in order to formulate an everlasting real change in their lives.
Rescue Mission
Well known as a place to get a hot meal, a safe night's sleep and a clean change of clothes, the mission faithfully serves the community in Oakland by providing temporary emergency care while sharing the gospel with the homeless. This includes a Men’s Emergency and Transitional Shelter, providing housing for up to 60 men each night, showers, and clothing. There is also a Chapel that provides our guests a place for spiritual discipleship, worship, and opportunities for service. We also provide a public dinner service every night of the year to all in need of a hot meal, and we serve a hot breakfast to those who stay in our shelter overnight.
Back2Life Program - Job and Housing Placement
We have applied the same case management principles used in our recovery programs to assist the homeless men in our rescue mission. We provide accountability to them by monitoring jobs and pay stubs and help them to obtain permanent housing. Stable employment and housing helps these men become self-sufficient members of our community and are measures of an economically transformed life.
Men's Recovery
The drug addiction and abuse continue to this day, with the primary drug of choice in our city being crack cocaine and heroin and the increasingly popular methamphetamines. The Men's Recovery Program has always made an effort to meet the needs of disadvantaged urban people, so our emphasis in the last 20 years has been to not only offer food and shelter, but also comprehensive, long-term residential recovery programs. Men attend house meetings, recovery courses, Bible studies, share in household responsibilities and are held accountable to themselves and one another. Our highly successful program has helped scores of men confront the bondage of chemical dependency and continues to grow in scope and effectiveness.
Transition Meetings
Before our clients graduate from the Recovery Program, an opportunity to reconcile with their families is put into place. Clients are counseled to prepare for this meeting with their family face-to-face to discuss the issues they are going through.
Medical Clinic
The Medical Clinic is run by volunteer doctors and nurses who provide free medial service to patients on a walk-in basis. This staff of volunteers treat a variety of common illnesses. Nurses enjoy this ministry because we really get to know our patients as they receive medical treatment. Often in our conversations, we discover a real medical need and can help our disadvantaged patients with early detection, early treatment and prevention of disease. A very important part of our ministry is to pray with each individual after their medical exam. The individuals look forward to these caring moments when we pray together.
Family Services
After providing clothing, furniture and grocery bags to families for several years, CityTeam International began to expand our scope of services in 2004, beginning with a special Family Faire Day. Currently, CityTeam International is providing warm coats, celebrating Chinese New Year, providing summer lunches for children, taking local kids to CityTeam International’s Camp MayMac, giving students new backpacks for the Fall, giving out turkeys or chickens and bags of "fixings" so families can enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner in their own home, and sponsoring families for Christmas presents. We are also delivering groceries to the doors of families in specific neighborhoods through our Bags of Love program.
The Learning Center
Opening to the program residents in early 2006, CityTeam International’s Learning Center will begin to meet the educational needs of our clients. As our goal is to help the whole person in recovery, we provide tools to fill the educational gaps that so many of our clients have. Each person receives diagnostic testing and is placed in the program based on their needs. Men and women can work towards receiving their GED, learn to read or sharpen their basic skills. As the resources become available, the Learning Center will be made available to not only our residents, but our shelter guests and members of the community.
