Rubicon Program's mission is to create and deliver integrated solutions to profound social problems.

Our purpose is to make a positive and lasting impact on people living in poverty and on people living with disabilities, especially psychiatric disabilities.

We empower people to move out of poverty and improve their quality of life.

Description:
Since 1973, Rubicon has built and operated affordable housing and provided employment, job training, mental health, and other supportive services to individuals who have disabilities, are homeless, or are otherwise economically disadvantaged.

Through the close coordination of our intake, mental health, housing, and employment services we strive to provide a comprehensive approach to the multiple issues our clients have to overcome. Our programs assist people who are homeless, economically disadvantaged, have mental health disabilities or other barriers.

Rubicon Programs offers the following integrated services:

Workforce Services - Rubicon provides a broad array of job training, career development, job placement, and retention programs serving persons with mental health disabilities, homeless persons, persons transitioning from welfare to work, low-income non-custodial parents, older youth, and other economically disadvantaged county residents.

Housing and Case Management - The goal of Rubicon housing programs is to promote independence and self-sufficiency for homeless and disabled participants by reducing barriers to obtaining and maintaining housing. We work with participants to assess strengths and barriers; to assist with development of a self-sufficiency plan; and to assist with applying for housing. We provide information regarding housing resources in West Contra Costa County; information regarding individual credit repair; advocacy with landlords and provider agencies; referrals for all support services as indicated by the self-sufficiency plan

Mental Health Care - Rubicon helps persons with mental illness and chemical dependency achieve recovery. We help people attain the highest level of psychological and social functioning with the fewest possible restrictions.

Legal Services - Rubicon's Hawkins Center provides legal representation and assistance to people living with physical and mental disabilities and HIV/AIDS. The Hawkins Center has been one of a very few Contra Costa-based providers of legal services to low income residents of the county since it was founded in 1986 as an independent non-profit agency.

Social Enterprises - Individuals have the opportunity for additional training, a job, and a career in one of Rubicon's two business ventures - Landscape Services and Rubicon Bakery.

History:
Rubicon was established in 1973 in Richmond, California by community members concerned about the closure of state psychiatric hospitals. The founders recognized the need to develop local services for people disabled by chronic mental illness who were returning to the community. Although finding solutions for this major social issue was in itself an ambitious job to take on, Rubicon also took on the problems of poverty and homelessness.

Located in a community of great need and high unemployment, Rubicon expanded to include services for people who were homeless or otherwise very low income. Rubicon’s solution was to develop a comprehensive service approach that also offers affordable housing and social purpose businesses.

Contact people:

Poonum Kaberwal, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Mary Dunbar, Director Of Development, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (510) 235-2025

Address:

2500 Bissell Avenue Richmond, CA 94804 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.rubiconprograms.org

Directions:

From I-80 going West ( from Sacramento towards SF/Oakland) Take San Pablo Ave/Barrett Avenue. Exit Make Right onto Barrett Avenue, follow west for about twenty blocks Make Left onto 25th Street Follow three blocks to Bissell Avenue. Rubicon is on the corner. From I-80. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Richmond BART,   Walk distance (in minutes): 15   Nearest Bus Stop: AC Transit 73, 2 minute walk