FESCO
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I am a client of FESCO. I completed the program at Banyan and my case manager applied and got me accepted for Linkages 2 yr substidy housing. While at Banyan Transitional the staff was very instrumental in my getting my three children reunitfied from Child Protective Services. They provided Parenting and counseling for my family. They continue to provide support for my family and I, with food boxes, Thanksgiving baskets and Adopt a Family I still have my Case Manager who checks in with me weekly and continues to teach me money mangement and talk me through any stress I am feeling. She always shows care and concern and has great advice and reminds me to look at the solutions. The staff of FESCO give so much of themselves and want nothing from us except for us to succeed. The day I walked into Banyan I felt at home and was overjoyed to have a 2 bedroom unit for myself and my childre. I LOVE FESCO and STAFF and MANAGEMENT. They are wonderful people who myself and my family will always remember with the fondest of memories.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My own success, they set the framework for me to set my own goals and assisted me in achieving them. I have seen many families come and go none have left Banyan without housing.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Give everyone a raise and a 5 week vacation. They all work so hard
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The joy and love of the staff. They become aunts and grandparents to our children.The dinnertime with residents and staff was like a large family. It was a reminder of my childhood.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Wonderful caring people. I met all of the Staff of FESCO even the executive director showed interest in my journey.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Open more transition houses and shelters.
Ways to make it better...
It could have been longer. I was there for the full 10 months but I miss it. I miss the staff.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Support from the govenment and funding.
One thing I'd also say is that...
Support FESCO it supports your communities.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
This is all about Fesco, This organisation is not helping any body, they want to show in their records how many families they are taking from shelters in a year, this is a kind of activity to get funds from the churches and communities, they are making families again homeless, just keeping families 3 or 4 months or few families 6 months, they wont show any other place to move out, they just sending out families without genuine reasons, they are fully correpted and only staff members tortures families for money and they need to record the testimonials if the families do not want to share their testimonial they will not help any thing, they did help those who gave good opinion about Fesco, they do not have any courtesy, every family is suffering in the house, if we talk each person in the house they will tell their pains and sufferings, staff will not give any respect to the residents, they behaves very rude to the residents, this is like a hell, we never recommend to any family to come here, there is no humanity here,the staff takes everything to their house food cleaning supplies everything, all kind of donations they takes home, donations also they does not leave for the families.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
change the director and manager staff in the banyan house appoint new staff before taking staff tell them we need to help families not to make them homeless
More feedback...
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
volunteers are good they don t know all about this, they can see wht the staff is showing
Ways to make it better...
if they have any humanity for the families those come from homeless, at least they need to help to find other places, racial discrimination, giving respect for the families,
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
they dont do any thing
One thing I'd also say is that...
the beneficials are only the management, this is not a non profit org, profit organisation
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I have been in this field for many years, and have worked for quite a few agencies. None of them can compare with FESCO. They truly care about the clients that they serve and if the client is working towards self- suffiency FESCO will provide all the services available to assist them, for as long as they need them. I have never experienced the level of commitment that FESCO administration has for the clients. They get to know them as individuals. It is not only the staff that work one on one with the clients that advocate for them, but all of FESCO from the Executive Director to the shift workers, give their all to the families. I also want to say thank you to all the wonderful Volunteers that give of their time, and all the contributors that support this wonderful organization.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Many of the families have shared their experience with me I have seen the results of the work FESCO does with each client they serve
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Give them more funding to create more programs for the families
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The children and their love for the staff of FESCO.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Wonderful caring, selfless people who truly love what they do for others.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Buy some apartment complexes for transitional and permanent housing for the clients
Ways to make it better...
It could not have been any better
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Financial, funding has been cut and in these economic hard times FESCO is really needed, yet they are in need of contributions from the public sector.
One thing I'd also say is that...
FESCO is WONDERFUL I hope they are always there for the families in need.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Hello World, I would like to tell you how FESCO helped me and my children to live a happy and successful life. We went thru there program in 2003-04. They helped me to manage my income to where I understood savings, paying bills ect... They also provided a save place for us to live well going thru there program called a transitional house. After 5 years of being out of there program they still continue to help with food boxes, clothes, and things are just not in the budget all the time as the economy prices go up. All it takes is a phone call and they gracefull are there to help. Even if you need to move they will still continue to be of service as to give you help with listings of places that are resonable to rent. They also have a backpack program that helps every year and Christmas is also a great help for the children to continue to have a fabulous holiday!!!
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
They don't make you feel ashamed of needing help. They also help give you strengh to continue in the right direction.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
great, helpful and organized.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
help alot more families!!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
MY EXPERIENCE WITH FESCO WASN'T VERY GOOD. THERE WAS TO MANY STAFF CHANGES (HOUSE MANAGERS, DIRECTORS). STAFF WAS NOT ALL ON THE SAME PAGE. RUBY WAS THE HOUSE MANAGER AT THE TIME AND SHE DIDN'T START WORKING WITH ME ON HOUSING WITH DORRIS UNTIL IT WAS TO LATE. ABOUT A MONTH OR TWO AT THE MOST BEFORE I MOVED. WHEN I LEFT THERE I HAD NO PLACE TO GO. THEY TOLD ME OH WELL, YOU HAVE BEEN HERE TO LONG. I DESERVED HOUSING. I DID ALL I COULD WITH MY CHILDREN AND MY JOB. IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND ME AND MY DAUGHTERS ARE STILL BOUNCING AROUND FROM FRIEND TO FRIEND. I AM STILL WORKING AND I AM ALSO TAKE CARE OF A TERMINALLY ILL CLOSE FRIEND BUT HIS BACKGROUND IS PREVENTING US FROM FINDING A PLACE. HE IS VERY WEAK AND CAN BARELY WALK BUT WE CAN'T FIND A PLACE TO ACCEPT US. WE HAVE TURNED IN NUMEROUS APPLICATIONS BUT KEEP GETTING DENIED BECAUSE OF CRIMINAL AND CREDIT HISTORY. ONCE I HAVE LEFT THER THEY HAVE BEEN AWESOME. THEY HELP ME EVERY YEAR WITH BACKPACKS AND CHRISTMAS PRESENTS AND FOOD, WHICH HELPS MY CHILDREN HAVE A DECENT CHRISTMAS.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
More feedback...
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
NOT FAIR AT THE TIME. THERE WAS A LOT OF FAVORTISM.
Ways to make it better...
I WOULD HAVE GOT HOUSING.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
GOOD FAIR STAFF MEMBERS. PEOPLE THAT TELL YOU THAT THEY WILL WORK WITH YOU NEED TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON THERE WORD BECAUSE WE TRUST THEM AND I GOT LET DOWN.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
dear fesco, i just want to thank you and all your wonderful staff for all the love support and help my family received during our stay. during our stay we were able to accomplish many things. our family had undergone a terrible experience but with your facility we were able to get up and back on our feet. with the home cooked meals and activities not only for the kids but parents too we walked away with a stronger out look on our lives. thank you so much the life changing experience. we greatly appreciate all you have done for us. peace and blessings, the huey family travis and deborah huey.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
thank you
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
thank you
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
thank you
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
thank you
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
thank you
Ways to make it better...
thank you
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
thank you
One thing I'd also say is that...
thank you
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
FESCO was a Godsend to my family and I when we first arrived in the Bay area in 1992. We were newcomers and had no place to stay but FESCO provided us with a warm,friendly, positive environment. My husband, 3 kids, and myself were given priceless advice and instruction to get Jobs, our first place(including the furnishing of it), establishing a bank account, and very insightful financial information to assist in budgeting,saving, and establishing and maintaining good credit. FESCO did not stop there. They even contacted us to be placed on a waiting list for affordable housing. Thanks to their input, we were placed in a brand new apartment complex that provided programs to support youth in the community center located on the apartment site!!1 The insight and great advice from the staff and volunteers also helped to motivate our 3 kids to work hard at obtaining a good education. All 3 of our kids have done well. 1 is a graduate of UCBERKELEY, the second is beginning her Senior year at UCBERKELEY. Both attended on academic scholarships. Our last child is currently a senior in high school, an active member of the leadership class, involved in community service and well on his way to obtaining an academic scholarship as well. The study skills and habits that were enforced at FESCO helped them to accomplish a much sought after dream!! To this day, FESCO contacts us yearly to offer school supplies to help our kids to continue to pursue their dream of obtaining a quality education!!! We are forever grateful to FESCO,to Marilyn, Clarence, Pete, to all the FESCO staff and countless volunteers, THANK YOU for your kindness and support!!! This is a great organization for families who really want to make a positive and lasting change so that they too can one day offer the kindness and support they were shown at FESCO!! Please support this organization!!!! They really make a lasting difference.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the change made in my family's outlook since our stay in 1992. We are a stronger more united family due to our experiences at the shelter. We understand the importance of giving back and sacrificing so that others may live and thrive.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
enlarge it so that I could help more families in need.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
that is promotes family togetherness and well being.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
friendly, knowledgeable, and considerate of all.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
change lives by instilling hope, motivation, insight, and resources.
Ways to make it better...
I had more job skills and transportation.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
lack of funding and appreciation.
One thing I'd also say is that...
this was an experience that was life changing and timely in its happening. My family and I are much better for having experienced such a wonderful safe environment.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I was a single mother of 2 boys, a 8yr old and a 6yr old that struggles with Autism, when I first came to Fescos' family shelter. First of all I would like to mention that there were a few shelters that would not take us in because of my sons disability but Fesco was very willing to take us in. The staff was very compassionate and helpful to our family and very understanding of my sons special needs. Although we only stayed for about a month and a half they were informed of an opening into transitional housing in Oakland (where my kids attended school at) and staff did an excellent job of making sure that my family would get into there, even after we had already left Fesco. I was very touched by that because it let me know that they really cared even though we were no longer staying at fesco. We stayed in transitional housing for about 6 months until we finally moved into our own apartment. We have lived in our place for 2yrs now. Fesco continues to assist us around Christmas (which is much needed) and with their back to school events that help me with backpack and back to school supplies, all which are things that I would be unable to do without them. Fesco has been a true Blessing for our family and we have not been homeless since. The staff at Fesco are Genuine caring people. Fesco is the best.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my family
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
continue doing everything as it is done now.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
they have the greatest caring and understanding staff there.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
very caring and understanding.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
help out even more families in need, and continue to help until help is no longer needed.
Ways to make it better...
I would not change a thing they are doing a Great job.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
funding.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
My family entered the Les Marquis Shelter after my father had died and we lost the house that my three children had grown up in. We were on foot and had no where to go. We were welcomed into the shelter and began our journey with this wonderful organization FESCO. After being in the shelter a short time we applied for the transitional house Banyan. We were accepted into this program. The staff are so helpful and encouraging. Yes, there are rules, but they are for our personal growth and the safety of the community. We have lifeskills which I have benefited so much from. I have never had the opportunity to open up and share my hurt, and struggles, The staff is so warm that it makes this easy for me. I have shared many things with staff. I look at the staff and the some of the residents here as my family and friends.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Clients getting housing and employment
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
More volunteers to work with the children. More children's programs. Someone to help with the children when I am doing job search or school
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
I have learned to be independant. To keep pushing forward.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
I met all the staff even Administration, and though they are all different they are all kind and helpful.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Buy houses to provide 2 yr. transitional, there are only four cottages and 10 people or more at any given time that need more time to save and finish job trainings, and recovery from homelessness.
Ways to make it better...
Longer time,to save more and complete my school. ive me more time for my SSI appeal. 10 months is not long enough for my housing to come through.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Funding, Housing, Staff having to work at many tasks while also working with us.
One thing I'd also say is that...
If it had not been for FESCO I would be on the street, I would have lost my children and I would not know what to do! If it wasn't for FESCO there would be alot more people on the street, homeless and hurting
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Fesco Family Shelter has been an answer to my prayers. I was crying out to God to pluck me up out of my living situation and place me somewhere where I could be happy and raise my children. I could not move out on my own, so I knew I had to get into a housing program. I have done everything I should be doing to achieve my goals and prosper. Therefore this organization has done everything they possibly can for me. I have been told by the chief program manager; Mary London that " we are going to take care of you for 5 years while you finish school... we want you to be ready to be on your own". As long as I work hard, I am taken care of. The Banyan House is much better than I ever thought it could be. I am at home here. The place is really nice, my 2 bedroom unit is wonderful and I feel so blessed. Ms Antonette, the senior case manager here, works overtime in all areas, and in love. I have noticed how she loves to be available for her clients to the best of her ability. She has made sure that I have been recognized for my achievements. All of the staff here are awesome. I really appreciate the care and the treatment we all receive here. It is nice to see so many spiritual staff here. All of them are unique and have nice qualities. It has been a real pleasure to have these folks a part of my life. I have security here. My children are treated with love and that is so important. I tried to go other places and this is the door the Lord opened for me and im am so grateful.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The clients that leave Banyan go into long term transition while waiting for permanent housing, then they also offer Linkages if we qualify that is a 18 month program. Some of the clients go right into permanent housing.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Go out into the community and to large corporations and get more funding so that FESCO could have more cottages for housing families that need longer to get into permanent housing.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The staff treat all of us with respect and care. My case manager was always making me look at where I could do more, where I could save more, and at the same time encouraging me to be good to myself, and take it easy on myself
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Senior and Asst. Case Managers, Also the voulunteers that do children's activities. They are all wonderful, caring people.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Buy a large apartment complex for more clients and give all of the staff raises.
Ways to make it better...
It could not have been better. A wonderful facility with aa wonderful staff.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Right now the economy I know that the govenment has cut alot of service programs
One thing I'd also say is that...
I LOVE FESCO, THEY ROCK!!!!!!!!!!
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
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