Building a Solid Foundation

If wide smiles, delicious pecan pies and the words "bless you' don't reach out, what will? I donated today, talked to the foundation folks, and came away thankful. Needy families apply for help, and every month (?) a new family gets food, shelter, and whatever else. My takeaway is based on a single transaction, but I intend to make more donations. They did bless me.

This is a wonderful organization. Truely commited to helling others.

I'm a current program members, I am a common drug addict who had previously given up on life. Building a solid foundation has given me hope and a chance to be a member of society again.

Today I'm proud to say i am clean and sober for 2 years now. Unfortunately these services didn't contribute to my success. I've been through 3 programs The Solid Foundation being the second. Members of the staff ( head members) were unprofessional, dishonest, and downright petty. Rules were inconsistent from one client to another and sometimes day to day. Counselors seemed to be as bad as the clients half the time. Of all the staff at Mandela House there was ONE really good counselor who was like a beacon of light rising from the sea of bs. Always consistent being the voice of reason and truth, whether she was loved or hated she was always respected by all. I can't remember her name but she was the most senior employee with The Foundation. With better staff; more professional, better trained counselors & serious regulation, The Solid Foundation had/has potential to truly help the women and children its meant to service. As far as my experience, only 1 of the 9 women in the program when i was there stayed longer than 45 days of the year long program. It took a lot for me to be where i am today and i give credit to every program, hospital, therapist, and group that helped. The Solid Foundation is no listed among them.

Well please allow me to say that there are ups and downs in every organizations out there. Running these programs are a hard task. One have to keep in mind that shelters, transitional homes, and rehabilitation centers has a lot to deal with. Most are addicts that are seeking recovery, so these organizations deals with a lot of different attitudes along with multiple personalities. criminals coming out of jail, as well as hard core thugs coming off the streets. The hard part in having to comfort an homeless or abused woman with kids that has no one to turn to. So my point is this......useless you're willing to put yourself in the shoes of some of these organizations that are trying to do the best that they can, don't be quick to judge. It is not an easy job.

I came across Dennis Claxton with this organization while at the Walmart in San Jose today, He was collecting funds for the holidays. The thing that struck me the most was his cheerful attitude. The next thing I noticed was his story. I have never done drugs or alcohol, but I have an alcoholic brother. I've seen the bad things happen. I wanted to commend Mr. Claxton and this foundation. Thank you for being there.

Good Evening,

I was at Save Mart in San Jose and I ran into one of your volunteers today. It was a gorgeous fall day and I had some extra time. I listened to Doug Scheurn telling a young woman how to find shelter for herself and her two small children.

Mr. Scheurn was well spoken and quite open about the rewards and disappointments of his drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Within a few moments, Doug had finished. He simply told me 'God Bless You' and 'Have an amazing day!'.

I went to my car and drove home. I made Doug lunch, grabbed him a cold water from the fridge, dipped into my Christmas money, and returned to Mr. Scheurn.

Without a pause, I gave him a tupperware container of food, and ice cold water, and dropped a $20 in his bucket. Doug gave me the warmest hug, many thanks, and a little hope. Thank you.

I was out shopping today when I came across Thomas Lincoln requesting donations for this organization. I had a moment, so I looked them up on my iPhone. I spoke with Mr. Lincoln and he was obviously both involved and sincere. Times are tight, and quite honestly......so am I. I was so compelled by Mr. Lincolns' story, I dropped a $20 bill in his box.

Keep up the good work!

God Bless You All.

Karen Scholet

The man sent to Wal-Mart on Ballentine in Fremont is loud and rude. If people put money in the Salvation Army bucket, he would yell at that person saying"Hey, what about us!", at the same time if people put money in his container, the Salvation Army bell ringer never replied in kind, by yelling "What about us!" The bell ringer said good morning, good day, hello, thank you, have a good day, take care,etc.-never once asked for money nor demanded any.

He would talk so loud, that children covered their ears.

He would single people out by saying "Pretty lady from India" or "Man from India" and ask for money. Problem by doing that, if the person is Pakistani, they might feel offended as the two countries are not exactly bosom buddies. They could be from Iran, Egypt or even from Mexico. Because a person looks Indian, doesn't mean they are. We had friends from Israel and when we all went to Mexico, the people down there spoke to them in Spanish, just because they "looked" Mexican.

He would preach about how Abel and Cain were the sons of Satan and that Ham was the only true son of Adam and Eve. He had other portions of the bible mixed up too. His preaching wasn't just for a minute or so, but sometimes last for 10-15 minutes or longer. He also preached about the "New Order" and how they were going to do away with money and if you weren't one of them, you would be left with nothing and then he asked "what will you do when the lights go out?" Me? I'm lighting a freaking candle, just like anyone else would do.

Unfortunately, he had a problem with his clothing twice in one day. While going into the store, he pulled his shirt down in back. He should have pulled his underwear up instead! His jeans were down in the back so far, they apparently pulled his underwear down also, resulting in a large portion of his behind being exposed to everyone. Thankfully, no children were around at the time. I believe the parents would have complained to the store management.

How do I know all these things? I was the bell ringer for Salvation Army. People asked if he was part of the Salvation Army. I said no. They asked me if he was legitimate. My answer every time was I did not know for sure, but I believe he was; after that, it was up to them to decide. The majority put money in his container, only a couple people didn't.

Except for a cool guy named Eric (Oakland, CA), these guys are a pain in the butt! You can't shop anywhere in CA and try to save money without running into these guys. These guys harass you on the way in and out of the store. They do lie and tell you they're volunteers. They're unprofessional, and clueless as to how to solicit properly.

Building a Solid Foundation is exactly what (whom) they claim to be. I, too, am a Christian. We shall pray for you. We’ll accept our judgment from God alone.
We are a nonprofit organization who has, for the past 10 years, been providing warm beds, hot food, people to talk with, church on Sundays, Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, Relapse Prevention meetings, and a welcome respite from the streets.
We offer a six month recovery center and a six month transitional living program. All of our fund-raisers are volunteers. Those in the transitional living program are provided with an allotment (for daily expenditures, such as food, toothpaste, socks, etc.) as well as money management in an attempt to successfully transition these men back into society.
Does it make you think? Running 8 recovery houses from San Diego to Oakland. The commercial expenditures alone are staggering. The volunteer staff required to intake over 30 people per week. Then we transport these gentlemen to and from their doctors, their appointments for social security and food stamps, their attorneys, as well as their jobsites.
We’ll be the first to admit that our volunteers could use a little help from time to time. Many of these gentlemen have been hidden away from the rest of society for years. Whatever the reason, they often ‘surface’ in an organization such as ours. We do our best to make them presentable and courteous for our fundraising activities. We don’t always succeed. We do ask your forgiveness and beg for you prayers.
We are a ‘Social Model’ drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. We survive in an industry where less than 3% of the clients remain clean and sober over 2 years. Our success rate is roughly 1.7%.
The average drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in California receives $3,600.00 per month, per client, from State, Federal, and Private Insurance monies. We take no State nor Federal funding. Our clients are literally bottom of the barrel, from the streets, and have no health insurance. Those who ‘can’ afford to pay are only asked for $10.00 per day for room and board during the first 90 days of their recovery. The second 90 days, we ask $15.00 per day. The final 180 days, the transitional living phase, we require $25.00 per day for housing, transportation, electric, plumbing, and waste disposal. We also require our gentlemen to maintain a working list of short, medium, and long range goals. We also provide money management, career counseling, resume building, and schedule interviews for employment.
We also ask that our transitional living personnel assist with our weekly feeding of the homeless (100 full lunches per house) and our weekly visits to the local high schools to provide a positive testimony to our youth.
Finally, some homework. Our books are public. Rodney Nolen has not received a dime from this organization for 2 years. Over the past 10 years, we have taken roughly $300k per year in donations. That is less than $40k per facility per year.
The math isn’t difficult. This is, quite simply, a labor of love.

Thank you for your time and understanding. God Bless You.

Rodney Nolen
President
Building a Solid Foundation

p.s. Chris, we tried to help you, Sir. We truly did. It was you who decided to leave. God Bless.

The worst of the worst, in our humble opinion, are the people that return to the streets and die. Some of these people we have had to bury ourselves. We have received phone calls, in the middle of the night, from law enforcement asking us to identify a john doe. The only paperwork or identification on that person was a flier from our organization.
We ‘know’ … we truly ‘understand’ whom we are working with … I, personally, have been drug and alcohol free for 20 years. I have been running this particular program for 10 years. I do extend my apologies to you, young man, for our inappropriate placement of our personnel. I also extend my apologies for that mans’ actions and activities on that day. He was picked up early, sent to detox, and eventually returned to our program. Only to relapse, engage in a fight, and become incarcerated.
I would request, however, that you ask your father how grateful he is for organizations such as ours. There are many judges, parole officers, probation officers, and community center officials who thank us. Almost daily.
We know what we are facing each and every single day going out and keeping these men sober. According to our statistics, 98.3 out of every 100 clients shall relapse. The average age of our client is 48. The average number of previous drug and alcohol treatment facility admissions? 14. Average. The average total time spent in both jail and treatment programs: 16.4 years. Over a third of their existence has been simply lost.
I, humbly, apologize on our clients’ behalf. Yet, I shall not apologize for what I, and my team, do. This is America and I would sincerely appreciate the gesture if our government would have the safety net both in place and funded. I would graciously retire. Thankful. Until then, my God has told me what I must do.

Love, Peace, and God’s Blessings,

Rodney Nolen
President
Building a Solid Foundation

BASF is not what they claim to be. Being a Christian myself, I find it heartbreaking that this organization stands for something good, and yet goes about it the wrong way. Wanting to help those who suffer from substance abuse and homelessness is a compassionate gesture that does deserve recognition and support, however... lying to get the donations is just wrong. These guys claim to be volunteers, but that is not true. These guys are paid 50% of what they earn daily ( of course that is if they make a certain minimum). Free housing? Not exactly, they must pay a daily rent amount to be in this "shelter" which of course they pay out of their 50% that they make. I don't really put the blame on these guys because they are the ones that have to go out 6 days a week, 12 hours a day (inc travel time) and beg for donations so they can stay in this "so called" shelter. I put full responsibility on the owner Rodney Nolen for using these guys and their addictions as a means to profit. I am not here to tell you whether or not to donate. That choice is yours. I just wanted to tell you the truth about this organization. Be honest, BASF, tell those who may donate the truth, live like the Christians you claim to be.

THESE GUYS ARE THE WORST! HERE COMES THE WORST REVIEW YET. WHILE SHOPPING AT WAL-MART (STONECREST-SOUTHERN CA), THIS OLD BLACK GUY WAS YELLING AT THE ELDERLY, LITTLE KIDS AND SHOPPERS IN GENERAL. THE MGR. CAME OUT AND TOLD HIM TO MOVE HIS TABLE AWAY FROM THE STORE. HE REFUSED TO MOVE, SO THE MGR. MOVED IT FOR HIM!!! WHO KNOWS IF THE COPS CAME, I COULDN'T WAIT TO GET OUT OF THERE. THIS IS IN A NICE NEIGHBORHOOD! IF ANYONE FROM THIS ORGANIZATIONS READS THESE REVIEWS, TELL THESE GUYS TO CLEAN UP THEIR ACT, OR FACE "PERMANENT INJUNCTION." MY DAD'S A JUDGE, AND HE COULD EASILY DO IT! YOU'VE BEEN FORWARNED!!!!!!!!!!!!

I see BSF in the East Bay, and what bothers me most is they never graciously accept the money you give them, so I stopped giving! These guys never smile or say "thank you". Never a "hey man, I appreciate it." Who wants to give to a lackluster solicitor? They have bad manners, and no social etiquette. I guess if you were never taught, and you just don't care, you're clueless! I hope these guys turn their lives around. I have my doubts.

First of all, I find it very interesting that the President of Building a Solid Foundation would write his own review, and give it 5 stars. He spells his name Rodney Nolan, but yet when I checked out this organization, his name is spelled Nolen! These guys from Oakland are a scam, just ask Rita Williams, KTVU Channel 2, Oakland, CA. They got busted!

God Bless You, friends!

My name is Rodney Nolan and I am the President of Building a Solid Foundation. First, please allow me to apologize to anyone who has had anything short of a blessed time with ANY of our volunteers.

Building a Solid Foundation is a registered nonprofit corporation in the State of California. We are registered with the IRS with the Tax Identification Number 03-517533. We operate in San Diego, Fontana, Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Oakland.

We accept no State nor Federal funds. Your donations provide 100% of our funding, keep our doors open year round, and help provide people with a second chance.

Over the last 10 years, we have helped THOUSANDS of men, women, and children whom have fallen victim to drug/alcohol abuse and homelessness.

Our volunteers are all recovering addicts. Please offer them support and encouragement.

Please feel free to visit our headquarters at 11070 San Leandro Street Oakland, CA 94603

Please take a look at our website http://www.buildingasolidfoundation.org.

Our phone number is (323) 833-7618.

You can find us on facebook, and google+.

Rodney Nolan, President
Building a Solid Foundation

These men are obviously causing a problem in the general public, including harassing my 12 and 14 yr. old daughters for money. They're kids! Leave them alone! This orginization needs to get their act together as far as their solicition tactics, or someone needs to go after their permit. Permits can be denied, revoked or suspended.

I see these guys all the time, and I believe they are a legitimate organization. (They appear to be legit with the IRS). They're in transitional housing, and they're disenfranchised. Perhaps their phone numbers aren't any good because they don't want any calls, or they don't have the money. I give them a little money now and then, and I hope they turn their lives around. It makes our communities safer.

Don't give these people any money. Overly aggresive SCAM ARTISTS! They go on and on about God. It's all an act. And very offensive to people who are religious. GET A JOB! Do something productive with your time like volunteering in the community. Quit fleecing the general public. Don't tick them off. They're ex-cons straight out of San Quentin. Be very cautious, but don't give them money. Hopefully they'll go away.

I also think this organization is a scam....very GHETTO! These guys are rude, unprofessional, scuffy looking....on parole.....go back to prison! Thy made their bed, they're lying in it! No empathy from me. I'm tired of seeing them everywhere!

THIS GROUP OF LOWLIFES IS OBVIOUSLY A SCAM! DRUG AND ALCOHOL ADDICTED MEN STRAIGHT OUT OF PRISON! SHOULDN'T THESE GUYS BE LOOKING FOR WORK, OR AT LEAST TAKING CLASSES? I'M TIRED OF RUNNING INTO THEM. THEIR PHONE NUMBERS AND E-MAIL ADDRESS ARE NO GOOD. HMMMM.....

This is a Christian organization that solicits for homeless men and women who struggle with drug/alcohol addiction. The men I've met I really like. Keep up the good work. Everybody deserves a second chance!

This organization appears to be a scam. Their website shows them in Oakland, but the government website shows them to be in Long Beach and we saw one gentleman with paperwork showing them in Fontana. The e-mail addresses and phone numbers are no good. The website says they help single mothers, women and those with drug and alcohol problems. The solicitors that we have met are asking for donations for a shelter for homeless veterans. The city where this shelter is has never heard of them or their shelter. The legitimate veterans organizations in the area also have not heard of this suppose shelter. They are unprofessional in their soliciting tactics and don't appear to be on the up and up.