East Bay Innovations - San Leandro, California

Me Myself

I've been a client of East Bay Innovations for less than a year and I already feel like they've put me through the wringer like an abusive relationship. You know those relationships that end up being short term because they "love bomb" at the beginning, and then ghost you or become extremely distant? That is exactly what is happening with me here, except worse because my health and life is on the line.

One of the directors here worked very closely with me at the beginning. She was responsive, followed up in a timely manner, and assured me that I will get safe housing (I didn't believe it at the beginning). This is regarding a housing voucher EBI obtained for me, where the process began all the way back in November 2023. Ten months later and I'm finding myself begging for that same level of responsiveness, care, and attention to detail.

I'm working with another employee at EBI now and it's the same pattern of false promises and ghosting. He said he'd be able to apply for two apartments a day for me, but it hasn't even been one a month. In fact, the entirety of EBI has only applied to two apartments in the first eight months. They could've been more realistic and transparent about this, but at the beginning that director I mentioned gave me a choice - if I wanted to apply for apartments myself, or if I wanted to let them apply for me. Being disabled with little energy outside surviving, I accepted her offer.

There are also transparency and organizational issues at EBI. They were sending me dozens of listings at the start, so I could only assume they were applying to dozens of apartments, but they were doing who knows what. They didn't even apply for funds to pay apartment application fees until a few months ago, which makes no sense at all.

Basically, you should be scared if you end up being a client here. I've sent several complaints about this to EBI leadership, RCEB leadership (they're funding EBI for me), and also the DDS. EBI has not given a proper response to any of those complaints and is simply continuing the same harmful pattern.

Dennis Hong

I wanted to complain about your organization a while back when you didn't help me out. I needed help looking for a job and you turned your back on me, an individual with a disability. You didn't provide adequate service and were unprofessional. I would not recommend their services

Heidi Russell

East Bay Innovations does an exemplary job of serving individuals with disabilities. The staff are truly passionate about what they do, and go out of their way to find the best solutions to improve the quality of life of every individual they work with. EBI is unique in the array of services they offer, and unmatched in quality. You'll be hard-pressed to find a better group of people or a better organization to put your trust in.

Jack Nagle

East Bay Innovations (EBI) has done a wonderful job over the past eight years for our now 34 year old daughter who has an intellectual disability. EBI's employment services have helped her train for, seek, obtain and retain a good paying, steady job that she loves in the child care field. EBI's independent living skills counselors have helped with housekeeping, shopping, cooking, transportation, financial, and medical advocacy skills that have enabled our daughter to successfully move into her own apartment and live independently. Our daughter is one of many examples of persons with disabilities who have been greatly assisted by EBI to live full, rewarding lives. We are very grateful to EBI.

Dmitri Belser

East Bay Innovations provides incredible services to their clients I have enormous respect for the work they do, the caliber of their staff and leadership, and their commitment to the community. Great organization!

Julia Tinloy

East Bay Innovations is an amazing nonprofit. The staff is friendly and welcoming. Glad to have volunteered here!

Stephen Beard

Amazing organization doing great work in our community!

William Matthews

Helped my wife with therapy.