Greater Richmond Interfaith Program Update

The Greater Richmond interfaith Program (GRIP) has a distinguished history of over 40 years of advocacy and program leadership on behalf of the disenfranchised and marginalized in our communities. Concentrated in West Contra Costa County, GRIP’s varied accomplishments range from creating the Richmond Farmer’s Market and the West County Rape Crisis Center (now Stand! Against Domestic Violence), to the Council on Issue and Advocacy to address the social effects of racism, injustice and economic disparity, the Community Land Trust, the Contra Costa Asthma Coalition, to providing food, services and shelter to our homeless neighbors, starting with our Souper Center which has fed hungry and homeless individuals and families lunch everyday for over twenty years.

Currently, GRIP is partnering with Urban Habitat, ACORN, FaithWorks! and other community based groups to develop an equitable Richmond Economic Development Initiative and San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan, one that will include affordable housing.

Over the past twenty five years, GRIP emerged as a major homeless service provider serving principally West Contra Costa County residents, but importantly, also many from all areas of Contra Costa and from Alameda and other counties as well. GRIP’s development of a state- of –the- art integrated services facility brings its core programs - food, basic and support services, and shelter – together under one roof.

This facility allowed GRIP to expand it’s long-standing revolving emergency winter Shelter Program from 30-35 beds for homeless families, evenings only, and only 5 months a year, into a 75 bed emergency shelter and transitional housing year-round residence for homeless families. Beds may be moved into a number of configurations in suites of “dorm” rooms, allowing families of various sizes and needs to be together in semi-privacy.

GRIP is a membership organization, a non profit that at its core is volunteer driven. GRIP urges all interested individuals and groups to get involved and learn more by visiting GRIP’s website , or contact GRIP at 510-233-2141 x 303.