Bayer supports non-profit organizations that help in the areas of housing, domestic violence and health

Local women and their children who are homeless or losing their homes can get help from the women’s day center, while those facing domestic violence can turn to the House of Loving Hands. These two West Berkeley nonprofits, along with Healthy Black Families, all receive support from their neighbor, Bayer.

Here’s how each of these organizations is using Bayer funding and how they want to grow.

The Women’s Day Center has added several new services in recent years. They hired a full-time Spanish-speaking case manager who helps coordinate services for families in need. In a typical month, the shelter welcomes 400 women and children, and the new team member has doubled the capacity to serve the neighborhood’s Spanish-speaking community.

“Without (Bayer), we wouldn’t be able to do a lot of the work we do now.”

Leslie Berkler, Women’s Day Center

Additionally, the center can now provide emergency financial assistance to start or maintain housing for its clients.

“They may be moving into permanent subsidized housing, but they don’t have $500 for the deposit, or they don’t have good credit to start paying their electric bill,” said Executive Director Leslie Berkler. “We are able to provide small amounts of funds to help people get started or maintain and move towards stability. »

Bayer has provided approximately $70,000, split between 2022 and 2024, for these services. The funds were made possible through a 30-year extension of Bayer’s development agreement signed in 2022 with the City of Berkeley. By 2052, the company will make more than $33 million in investments to support the Berkeley community. The agreement calls for the creation of a committee of local leaders and Bayer employees to select recipients of a portion of these funds based on their potential impact on West Berkeley in the areas of climate action, health equity and economic resilience.

“Bayer is deeply committed to supporting organizations like the Women’s Daytime Drop-In Center, which provide essential services to some of the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Tina Self, who directs the Biopharmaceutical Development and Manufacturing Campus. of Bayer in West Berkeley. “By investing in programs that create stability, improve health equity, and uplift families, we aim to be a partner in building a stronger, healthier Berkeley for generations to come.” »

The Women’s Day Center was founded in 1988 by a group of women as an all-volunteer organization. They recognized the need to create a safe place where unhoused women and children could go when shelters are typically closed during the day. Efforts intensified, adding professional staff and winning city and county contracts. In 2004, the city of Berkeley invited the organization to take over a property for use as transitional housing. Bayer provided funds to rehabilitate the property, now known as Bridget House, so that it could accommodate five families for six months and up to two years if necessary.

“We feel like we have a very strong relationship with Bayer,” Berkler said. “Without them, we could not accomplish much of the work we do now. »

The women’s day center also receives support from individuals in the community, with several thousand people donating on a monthly or annual basis, Berkler said.

“All 40,000 pounds of food we distribute is donated,” she said. “The 5,000 toothbrushes that we distribute each year are donations. We are truly fortunate to be in such a generous community where there is such support, both in cash and resources, but also by people who recognize that we are all a community and must work together to thrive .

House of Loving Hands

House of Loving Hands supports women leaving domestic violence situations. She received $28,000 from Bayer for her Life Restoration and Beyond projects. These include an annual community barbecue with free lunch, children’s activities and tables promoting resources for local families. In 2024, the organization also distributed new shoes, backpacks and other school supplies to students.

Every Thanksgiving, House of Loving Hands hosts a community dinner for veterans, unhoused families and other community residents. Much like the summer barbecue, Thanksgiving dinner includes access to community resources, including clothing, hygiene kits, and basic medical supplies.

The next step will be a Christmas party on December 22 for 150 children. The party will include lunch, activities and a visit from Santa, delivering gifts.

Founder Deneshia Clemons currently runs House of Loving Hands as a one-woman organization. She dreams of one day expanding to have an apartment building that would provide family-style shelter for women with children, especially those with teenage sons, who are trying to leave an abusive living situation but often struggle to find accommodation where they can look after their children. together.

“Statistically, it takes a woman about seven times to leave before she leaves permanently,” said Clemons, who is a domestic violence survivor herself. “House of Loving Hands tries to fill that gap and serve as a bridge for those trying to escape and connect them to resources and support systems.”

Healthy Black Families

Healthy Black Families received approximately $42,000 from Bayer for its Thirsty 4 Change project. Thirsty 4 Change is a health education program designed to support people living in communities where challenges such as economic stability, access to health care, education, housing, transportation and social factors drive to poor health.

Program Coordinator Raheemah Nitoto offers virtual and in-person nutrition workshops that not only help individuals improve their health, but also prepare them to become leaders in their communities. Her eight-week healthy living series covers essential topics like replacing sugary drinks with water, reducing stress and improving sleep. Many graduates of its programs are making significant impacts. For example, one of the program’s graduates, Peace Esonwune, became a commissioner on the City of Berkeley’s Sugary Beverage Expert Panel, contributing to public health initiatives and inspiring others to take action.

“The impact of a community member talking to someone about the need to drink water rather than sugary drinks is much more effective than someone outside the community doing the same thing,” Nitoto said. “Having some of our participants become teachers and advocates brings positive change for everyone. »

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