News

Bethsaida Counseling Services Update

Welcome to 2021!

With all of the challenges 2020 brought us, we made it! To God be the Glory!!! Bethsaida Counseling Services encourages everyone to maintain self-care and embrace thinking about this pandemic which has attacked our whole being in a different way. While we follow the CDC guidelines and the most current stay at home order, consider starting a Gratitude Practice. Instead of focusing on what we do not have and what we cannot do, let us thank God for what we do have and what we can do.

Bethsaida Counseling Services continues to be available to all Allen Temple Baptist Church ministries, members and the community to provide information and referral, consultation, education, training and workshops. In 2020, we presented to some of the Allen Temple Ministries, consulted on a number of calls and emails from different Allen Temple leaders, members; as well as, the community, to assess, offer brief counsel, encouragement and connect persons to services.

We are available to accept calls and emails to assist inquirers with connecting to much needed community resources and services including counseling. Psychotherapy and counseling sessions are not available through Bethsaida Counseling Services at this time. Know that our efforts to develop the strong infrastructure needed to offer these services are ongoing. The ATBC community and its surrounding community will be informed once psychotherapy and counseling sessions have returned to our menu of services.

Again, we are still here to help. Use Bethsaida Counseling Services as a resource. If you are interested in our assistance, contact us at (510) 544-8945 or by email at bethsaida@allen-temple.org Our Clinical Coordinator, Sister Ricka L. White-Soso, MSW, LCSW, BIP, CEAT will attend to and triage your request as needed.

Regional Stay at Home Order Effective December 7, 2020

Five counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, Santa Clara) have come together to enforce the State of California Regional Stay-at-Home Order, which takes effect Monday, December 7 at 12:01 AM.

Our Campus remains closed and access remains restricted with the exception of COVID testing, Food Distribution and Head Start childcare. If you require access to the Church, please call the Church Office at (510) 544-8910.

Free Training for Contact Tracers

Contact Tracing of people who are exposed to Coronavirus is one of the main tools we have to keep the virus in check. Johns Hopkins University is offering a free 6-hour certified course via Coursera to anyone who may wish to obtain one of the paid or volunteer positions available in your city or county. The vast majority of the work is done by phone in front of your computer. Anyone with a high school diploma or above is qualified. Click here to be redirected to the course website.

Alameda County’s Online Tool Links Residents in Need with Food Distribution & other Essential Services

To meet the unprecedented need for assistance during the COVID-19 emergency, the Alameda County Social Services Agency (ACSSA) is deploying additional online resources to connect residents with food distribution sites and other essential services.

The Social Services Agency in partnership with the Alameda County Emergency Operations Center, Alameda County Community Food Bank and other community partners have worked together to assemble and organize county-wide data on food distribution and emergency resource information to help cut through the confusion and connect residents with vital services that they need to meet their basic needs.

The information provided is meant to be as comprehensive as possible, which includes dates and time of operation, a description of services provided and location information (www.acgov.org/maps/food-services.htm). County residents are encouraged to visit the website early and often – resource information will be updated regularly as more information becomes available. Click here to be redirected to the website.

Alameda County Updated Order Directing Alameda County to Shelter at Home as of April 29 2020

As of Wednesday, April 29, 2020, the Alameda County Shelter in Place Order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 has been extended.

The collective efforts taken to date regarding this public health emergency have slowed the virus’ trajectory, but the risk to public health remain significant. The scientific evidence shows that at this stage of the emergency, it remains essential to continue to slow virus transmission.

The Health Officer Order requires that most people stay home unless they are engaged in certain “Essential Activities” which are discussed in the full Health Officer’s Order.

Please click here to read the Alameda County Shelter in Place order in its' entirety.

Virtual Counseling Sessions Available

With the shelter in place/stay at home order extended until further notice, Bethsaida Counseling Services at Allen Temple Baptist Church is offering a list of additional services to assist the community with connecting to professionals available virtually (online) for those in need of emotional, mental & behavioral health and wellness support. Remember that it is okay to ask for help. Please click here to view the list; share with your family & friends!

Free Telehealth Counseling Services for Those in Need

Allen Temple’s own Anitra Clark, LCSW is offering virtual counseling appointments to those in need at no cost. The usual consent/telehealth consent, contract and demographic information will be collected and concerns around risk/safety will be upheld. Counseling will be provided in the evenings via Zoom.

You may contact Sister Clark at (510) 241-2373 or clarkconsulting2010@gmail.com. Review her Psychology Today profile by clicking here.

Onward CA - Resources for Californians Impacted by Job Loss During the Pandemic

Onward CA is a one-stop resource for the people of California impacted by job loss during the COVID-19 Pandemic. They provide connections to essential life services (money, food, shelter), retraining opportunities and a job board. Click here to get started.

United Way COVID-19 Community Response & Recovery Fund

To support this rapidly escalating need, United Way Worldwide has created the COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund. Our Fund supports communities struggling in the wake of the new virus, by supporting local United Ways and 211, the go-to information resource in times of crisis. Every year, 211 specialists answer 12 million requests by phone, text, chat and email to connect people with disaster, food, housing, utility, health care resources and more. There is no other network in the country with a similar pulse on America’s needs. So far, some 24 statewide 211 operations have been activated, and 211 is working closely with health officials all over the country to provide accurate updates to the public.

NOTE: You can dial 211 to speak to someone about local assistance at any time. The 1-866-211-9966 number you may have seen on social media is only available for residents of Indianapolis. Please be aware that financial assistance related to COVID-19 is not available for individuals everywhere.

Resources for Young People and their Families During the Shelter in Place

March 30, 2020 UPDATE

Our Community Partners Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area remain committed to young people. In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, and are still working to ensure that all youth achieve their full potential. It is in that spirit that BBBSBA provides the following resource links to the Bay Area at large so that young people may receive necessary food and educational support. Please check back frequently as they will add more resources as they are received.

Please note that in light of the Bay Area shelter in place, picking up food is considered an essential activity. You will NOT be penalized for picking up food.

Bay Area School Districts Offering Meal Pickup (check back frequently as school districts, distributions and locations are being added as they are received/updated)

Educational Resources Activities for Kids and Self Care (updated 3/30/20)

Bay Area COVID-19 Resource List

Open Food Pantries

Coronavirus Quarantine Resources for Parents and Caregivers

FAQs for Childcare regarding Shelter in Place Ordinance

Bay Area Resources List

COVID-19 Tips for Parents

Supporting Kids During the COVID-19 Crisis – also available in Spanish

Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus

Spanish: Nuevo coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – also in Spanish

State Medicaid and CHIP Strategies to Respond to the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis

Coronavirus/COVID-19 Update: Campus Shutdown Effective Tuesday, March 17 at 12:01 AM

Dear Allen Temple Family and Friends,

Praying this note finds each of you well and holding on to your faith amidst this time of storm. Our God is Faithful!

As you know, the information surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to develop almost by the hour. We promised to keep you updated as we receive new information that impacts our church family and ministry.

This afternoon, the Interim Health Officer of Alameda County along with five other counties, has issued an order to "Shelter in Place" effective at 12:01 a.m. March 17th through April 7th. In essence this means, that everyone is advised to stay in their residence except for "Essential Travel". Profit and not for profit businesses except for those listed in the order are expected to close and remain closed for this period. For more information on the details of this order, please click here to view the order in PDF format.

In order to comply with this order, all campus activities are suspended effective 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, March 17th. All staff able to do so will be working from home. We are also in conversation with City and County Officials to assist us in ensuring that the vulnerable members of our communities who depend on us for food and other ministry, health and social services are still able to be helped. We remain committed to our mission, even in times of crisis. 