OAKLAND, Calif. – The Oakland A’s and Kaiser Permanente proudly presented BACS (Bay Area Community Services) with the inaugural Kaiser Permanente Community Excellence Award ahead of the A’s game on Thursday, Aug. 22.

“We are proud to recognize BACS with the inaugural Kaiser Permanente Community Excellence Award,” said Oakland A’s President Dave Kaval. “We created this award with Kaiser Permanente to honor community members and/or organizations who have shown extraordinary support and contributions to help build a more vibrant Oakland community. BACS was selected because of their big and bold initiative to end homelessness in Oakland.”

“Kaiser Permanente is honored in partnership with the Oakland A’s to recognize BACS and many other community organizations on our inaugural partnership of Community Day,” added Colin Lacon, East Bay Kaiser Permanente Public Affairs Director. “These organizations are committed to serving our community and making our city better. Like the Oakland A’s, Kaiser Permanente is committed to supporting organizations that are rooted and working for the total health of our hometown.”

BACS’ mission is to uplift underserved individuals and their families by doing whatever it takes. Bay Area Community Services provides an array of behavioral health and housing services for teens, adults, older adults, and their families. Their vision is a world where everyone is healthy, safe, and engaged in community wellness. Every year, BACS makes a difference in the lives of more than 7,500 people.

“BACS is extremely honored to receive recognition from the Oakland A’s and Kaiser Permanente because we believe that with community investment, homelessness is a problem that can be solved,” said BACS Executive Director Jamie Almanza. “In the last six months, BACS has gotten 420 frail seniors out of encampments, off the streets, and into permanent housing. Our community can do this and it is because of the support of our community partners – the Oakland A’s and Kaiser Permanente.”

The Oakland A’s Community Fund also presented BACS with a $5,000 grant to support the organization’s work to end homelessness in Oakland. For more information on BACS, visit bayareacs.org.