Who We Are

Our Community

FAQs

Staff & Board

• The average Harbor House participant family works 2 to 3 jobs to make ends meet.
• To be self-sufficient in the Bay Area, a family of four needs to work 2 full-time jobs at a minimum wage of $16 per hour.
• Roughly 1/4 of Bay Area households have incomes too low for basic needs — food, housing, childcare, medical, and other necessities.

Want to help?

Get Involved

Who is the founder of Harbor House?

Olive Freeman an Oakland schoolteacher founded Harbor House. In the early sixties, Olive Freeman taught ill-clothed and hungry students at nearby Lazear Elementary School in Oakland and responded by distributing donations of food and clothing from the trunk of her car. Neighbors and friends joined her, and in 1971, Harbor House was incorporated as a nonprofit.

What is the per capita income of residents in the San Antonio district of Oakland?

The 2000 census reports per captita income in the San Antonio district at $11,965 and $21,936 in the City of Oakland.

What is the poverty rate in the San Antonio district of Oakland?

The poverty rate in the San Antonio district is 29.6% and it is 19.4% in Oakland. Compare this with 14.2% in California. The youth poverty rate in the San Antonio district is 42.5%.

How diverse is the San Antonio district?

The 2000 census data indicates that Oakland is the second most diverse city in the nation. The San Antonio district was shown to be the most diverse neighborhood in the nation in the 1990 census, and continues to represent astounding diversity.

Does Harbor House own its own facility?

Yes, we own a 100 year old victorian home that has been converted into a community center out of which we operate most of our programs. We’re looking for contractors and other volunteers (skilled and unskilled) to help us maintain the building. Contact us.

Does Harbor House need volunteers?

Yes, we’re always looking for people who want to work in urban areas like the San Antonio district. We currently need volunteers to help in the office, tutor children in math and reading, help maintain the building, serve on our board of directors and lots more. Contact us if you’re interested in volunteering or if you have an idea to share with us.

Can groups volunteer with Harbor House?

Yes, we love having groups volunteer with us. We require a participation fee for groups to volunteer. In exchange for this, groups can receive lodging and board, plus theological and mission workshops on urban ministry. Most importantly, groups also work in our programs during their stay with us. Groups are a vital part of our ministry. Contact us if you’re interested in sending your group to work with us.

Does Harbor House accept financial contributions?

Absolutely! Your support keeps us in business. About one-third of our support comes from indivuals, another third from foundations, twenty percent from churches, and the rest from fees for service, the state government and miscellaneous contributions. Our budget is currently less than $500,000. Our goal is to raise more than $700,000 in five years so that we can fund new and existing programs, properly maintain the facility and provide adequate reserves for contigencies.

Does Harbor House accept non-financial contributions?

Yes, clothing, nonperishable food in excellent condition, office equipment in excellent working condition that is not obsolete and other items are accepted. Please contact us to discuss the items you wish to donate so that we can determine if your donation would be suitable for our ministry. Please do not leave donated items at our facility address without first obtaining approval to donate the items.

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