Last Updated on: May 6, 2026
This page is for people leaving incarceration, their families, and case workers looking for reentry support in Oakland.
Oakland has several strong reentry resources for people with criminal records. Below you will find an updated list of all reentry tools, programs and resources. You will find support with housing, employment, legal aid, education, mental health, substance use counseling, and related reentry needs and more.
Notice: For statewide help and/or other California cities, see our full guide to Reentry Programs in California. You may also find our Reentry Survival Guide for Felons helpful.
List of Reentry Programs in Oakland, California
Center of Re-Entry Excellence (CORE) — Rubicon Programs
Address: 100 Hegenberger Road, Oakland, CA 94621
Phone: (800) 214-9687 or (510) 346-5290
Best For: Justice-impacted individuals and families in Alameda County seeking comprehensive wrap-around reentry support.
What It Offers: CORE provides free housing assistance, legal support with expungement and record clearing, benefits application help, health and dental referrals, employment support, and connection to substance abuse treatment.
Centerforce
Address: Multiple locations (headquarters Bay Area)
Phone: (510) 841-4218
Best For: Individuals and families impacted by incarceration seeking pre-release and post-release services.
What It Offers: Centerforce provides family support, mentorship, reentry planning, health education, fatherhood programs, and advocacy for people in jails and prisons and those returning to the community.
Prisoner Reentry Network
Address: Oakland, CA
Phone: (510) 763-2998
Best For: People preparing for release or recently returned to Oakland seeking community support and advocacy.
What It Offers: PRN offers advocacy, public education, peer support, information distribution, and connection to reentry resources for formerly incarcerated people.
Root & Rebound — Reentry Advocacy Center
Address: 1730 Franklin Street, Suite 300, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 279-4662
Best For: Returning citizens facing barriers to employment, housing, and legal relief due to criminal records.
What It Offers: Root & Rebound provides legal guidance on expungement and record clearing, employment rights education, housing rights information, and advocacy for returning citizens across California.
Community Works R.I.S.E. Restorative Reentry Program
Address: Alameda County
Phone: (510) 268-7400
Best For: Women and men of all ages returning to Alameda County after state prison.
What It Offers: R.I.S.E matches participants with lived-experience case managers, provides mentorship, court assistance, employment guidance, transitional housing referrals, and offers financial incentives for education and training.
Halfway Houses and Transitional Housing in Oakland
Stable housing is one of the biggest reentry needs in Oakland. Some programs provide transitional housing directly, while others connect people to shelters, sober living, supportive housing, or coordinated entry services.
For a larger housing guide, visit Felon Friendly Apartments & Housing – How to Find Housing With a Criminal Record.
Hubbert Homes — Women’s Transitional Housing
Address: Multiple locations in Oakland, CA
Phone: (510) 532-5150
Best For: Women on parole or probation, survivors of domestic violence, veterans, justice-involved individuals, and those experiencing homelessness.
What It Offers: Hubbert Homes provides fully furnished transitional housing with laundry facilities, parking, WiFi, case management, and a safe community environment for up to two years.
East Oakland Community Project
Address: 7515 International Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94621
Phone: (510) 569-0175
Best For: Low-income families and individuals in East Oakland seeking emergency or transitional housing and wraparound services.
What It Offers: EOCP provides emergency and transitional housing, case management, mental health services, substance abuse counseling, and employment support.
CityTeam Oakland — Transitional Housing Programs
Address: Multiple locations in Oakland
Phone: (510) 535-0800
Best For: Men and women experiencing homelessness, addiction, and instability seeking residential reentry support.
What It Offers: CityTeam provides transitional housing for both men and women, career counseling, life skills training, pathways to permanent housing, and basic needs support.
Kingdom Builders Christian Fellowship (KBCF) — Transitional Housing
Address: Oakland, CA
Phone: (510) 569-5200
Best For: Formerly incarcerated adults and youth seeking affordable transitional housing with wraparound support.
What It Offers: KBCF operates 34 units of transitional housing with case management, employment support, and mental health services for justice-impacted individuals.
Abode Services
Address: Multiple locations
Phone: (510) 657-7409
Best For: People experiencing homelessness and housing instability seeking permanent or transitional housing.
What It Offers: Abode Services provides affordable housing, case management, mental health services, and employment support.
Housing Solutions for People With Criminal Records in Oakland/Alameda County
Housing can be difficult with a felony record, especially when landlords use background checks. Do not pay application fees until you ask whether felony records are automatic denials or reviewed individually.
Oakland recently became the first city in the United States to ban background checks for most rental housing, making it significantly easier for people with criminal records to find housing.
For more help, read Felon Friendly Apartments & Housing – How to Find Housing With a Criminal Record. You may also want to review our guide to Public Housing for Felons.
Alameda County 2-1-1
Address: Countywide resource
Phone: 211 (call or text)
Best For: Anyone seeking housing, rental assistance, or homeless services in Alameda County.
What It Offers: 211 connects you with local housing resources, emergency shelter, rental assistance programs, and coordinates entry to homeless services.
Alameda County Coordinated Entry System
Address: Countywide
Phone: 211 or 1-800-799-7233
Best For: People experiencing homelessness seeking access to shelter and permanent supportive housing programs.
What It Offers: Coordinated Entry assesses housing needs, prioritizes vulnerable populations, and connects people to available shelter beds and housing programs.
Roots Community Health Center — Housing Referrals
Address: Multiple locations in Oakland and surrounding areas
Phone: (510) 777-1177
Best For: Low-income individuals and families needing primary care and housing referral support.
What It Offers: Roots provides affordable healthcare and connects clients to housing programs and community resources.
Alameda County Housing Authority — Public Housing and Section 8
Address: Multiple locations
Phone: (510) 450-8897
Best For: Low-income families and individuals seeking subsidized housing through public housing or Section 8 vouchers.
What It Offers: ACHA manages affordable housing and Section 8 vouchers, though people with certain criminal records may face restrictions; applications are reviewed case-by-case.
Emergency Food, Clothing, and Basic Needs
If you just got out of jail or prison and need food, clothing, hygiene items, emergency shelter, or benefits, start with these resources.
For more options, read Emergency Financial Help for Felons. You can also check whether you qualify for Food Stamps (SNAP) as a Felon.
Alameda County 2-1-1 — Food and Emergency Services
Address: Countywide resource
Phone: 211 (call or text)
Best For: Anyone needing food, emergency shelter, clothing, rent assistance, or emergency financial help.
What It Offers: 211 connects you with local food banks, meal programs, emergency shelter, and basic needs resources across Alameda County.
Alameda County Community Food Bank
Address: 7900 Edgewater Drive, Oakland, CA 94621
Phone: (510) 635-3663 or (800) 870-3663
Best For: Low-income families and individuals seeking nutritious food and food security education.
What It Offers: The Food Bank distributes food through 275+ community partner agencies, provides CalFresh assistance, and offers nutrition education.
West Oakland Food Pantry
Address: 1675 8th Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Phone: (510) 832-2237
Best For: West Oakland residents seeking emergency food and basic needs support.
What It Offers: WOFP provides fresh produce, frozen meats, canned goods, and other nutritious items several days per week, plus emergency assistance and community support.
CityTeam Oakland — Food, Shelter, and Basic Needs
Address: Multiple locations in Oakland
Phone: (510) 535-0800
Best For: People experiencing hunger, homelessness, and poverty seeking immediate help.
What It Offers: CityTeam provides hot meals daily, mobile food pantries, emergency shelter, clothing, showers, and connections to longer-term support services.
Bread and Roses
Address: 1500 34th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601
Phone: (510) 535-1000
Best For: Homeless and low-income individuals seeking meals, shelter, and support services.
What It Offers: Bread and Roses offers free dining services, meals, emergency financial aid for housing and utilities, and case management.
Tiny Miracles and Small Wonders Corp — Food and Clothing Distribution
Address: Oakland, CA
Phone: (510) 216-9545
Best For: Low-income and homeless individuals in Alameda County needing food and clothing.
What It Offers: Twice-monthly distributions of food and clothing on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays (1 PM to 2 PM) while supplies last.
Alameda County Benefits Office — CalFresh and Cash Assistance
Address: Multiple locations in Oakland and Alameda County
Phone: 1-800-491-9099
Best For: Low-income individuals and families eligible for state benefits programs.
What It Offers: CalFresh (food stamps), CalWORKS (cash assistance), and emergency programs for people meeting income requirements.
Free or Low Cost Healthcare and Mental Health Help
Many people coming home from jail or prison need medication, therapy, addiction treatment, dental care, mental health care, or a primary doctor. These Oakland resources may help. You can also read our guide to Health Insurance for Felons for more coverage options.
Roots Community Health Center
Address: Multiple locations serving Oakland, San Leandro, Berkeley, and Alameda
Phone: (510) 777-1177
Best For: Uninsured and low-income individuals needing primary care, dental, and mental health services.
What It Offers: Roots provides affordable primary care, dental services, mental health counseling, chronic disease management, and help applying for Medi-Cal.
AHS Bridge Clinic — Harm Reduction and Substance Use Services
Address: 1411 E. 31st Street, Oakland, CA 94602
Phone: (510) 545-2765
Best For: People struggling with substance use seeking low-barrier healthcare and addiction treatment.
What It Offers: The Bridge Clinic offers same-day drop-in visits, medication-assisted treatment (Buprenorphine, Suboxone), withdrawal management, primary care referrals, and harm reduction services.
Healthy Communities — Community Health Center
Address: Multiple locations
Phone: (510) 444-9655
Best For: Low-income individuals and families needing comprehensive primary and preventive care.
What It Offers: Healthy Communities provides primary care, chronic disease management, mental health services, family planning, income tax prep, financial counseling, and wraparound support.
Reentry Engagement Program (REP) — Felton Institute
Address: 401 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
Phone: (415) 474-7310, Ext. 2731
Best For: Individuals experiencing moderate to severe mental health symptoms who were recently released from Santa Rita Jail.
What It Offers: REP provides intensive case management, mental health counseling, crisis services 24/7, and wraparound support for justice-involved individuals with behavioral health needs.
West Oakland Health Council — Medication-Assisted Treatment and Counseling
Address: Multiple locations in West Oakland
Phone: (510) 535-3500
Best For: People struggling with opioid addiction seeking medication-assisted treatment and counseling.
What It Offers: West Oakland Health offers medication-assisted treatment (Suboxone), individual and group counseling for substance abuse disorders, and walk-in acceptance.
Merritt Peralta Institute (MPI) — Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment
Address: 3408 Andover Street, Oakland, CA 94609
Phone: (510) 500-2840
Best For: Individuals needing inpatient or intensive outpatient addiction and mental health treatment.
What It Offers: MPI provides chemical dependency treatment, psychiatric care, partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient care, and family counseling.
Oakland Behavioral Health Clinic — Veterans and Substance Abuse Treatment
Address: 1411 E. 31st Street, Oakland, CA 94602
Phone: (510) 267-7815
Best For: Veterans struggling with mental health and substance abuse seeking comprehensive treatment.
What It Offers: Oakland Behavioral Health provides individual and group therapy, medication management, methadone maintenance, homeless outreach, and compensated work therapy.
Cherry Hill Detox and Sobering Station
Address: Alameda County
Phone: (866) 866-7496
Best For: People needing immediate detoxification and sobering services in a supportive coed facility.
What It Offers: Cherry Hill provides short-term detox, medical monitoring, stabilization, and referrals to longer-term treatment and recovery support.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Address: National phone and referral service
Phone: 1-800-662-4357
Best For: Substance abuse and mental health treatment referrals nationwide
What It Offers: SAMHSA provides free, confidential referrals to local treatment providers for mental health and substance abuse needs.
Legal Help, Expungement, and Documents
Legal help can make a major difference after incarceration. People may need help clearing records, reducing charges, getting IDs, handling warrants, dealing with child support, fixing tickets, or understanding employment rights. For more on record clearing, see our Felony Expungement & Sealing Information. You may also find our guides to Background Check Laws and Seven Year Background Check States helpful.
Alameda County Public Defender — Clean Slate Program
Address: 545 4th Street, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 268-7400 ext. 357 or (510) 259-3501
Best For: Low-income Alameda County residents seeking to expunge, reduce, or dismiss criminal convictions.
What It Offers: Clean Slate provides free expungement assistance, felony-to-misdemeanor reduction (Prop 47), misdemeanor dismissal, early probation termination, and case review at walk-in clinics (held monthly on Thursdays).
Bay Area Legal Aid — Reentry Legal Services
Address: Multiple offices
Phone: (510) 841-8645
Best For: Low-income individuals with criminal records needing legal help with housing, employment, and expungement.
What It Offers: Bay Area Legal Aid provides free legal services for clean slate issues, driver’s license problems, housing denials, and employment discrimination related to criminal records.
Root & Rebound — Legal Advocacy for Returning Citizens
Address: 1730 Franklin Street, Suite 300, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 279-4662
Best For: Returning citizens needing legal information and advocacy for expungement, record clearing, and rights restoration.
What It Offers: Root & Rebound provides free legal resources, expungement guides, employment rights education, and connects people to attorney referrals.
Wiley W. Manuel Oakland Criminal Court
Address: 661 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94607
Phone: (510) 268-7500
Best For: People with Oakland-based criminal cases needing court services or public defender assistance.
What It Offers: This is the criminal court location for filing expungement petitions and other legal filings for Oakland residents.
René C. Davidson Oakland Criminal Court
Address: 1225 Fallon Street, Room 107, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 268-7500
Best For: People seeking to file criminal record remedies and expungement petitions in Oakland Superior Court.
What It Offers: This is the Oakland criminal court location for RCD (Record Clearing Division) services and expungement filings.
Employment Help for Felons in Oakland
Getting a job after incarceration can be difficult, but Oakland has several employment programs that work with people facing barriers. You can also use our larger guide to Jobs For Felons & Companies, browse High Paying Jobs for Felons, find Temp Agencies That Hire Felons, or explore Self Employment for Felons.
CROP Ready 4 Life — Residential Reentry and Employment Program
Address: Oakland, CA (West Oakland Campus)
Phone: (510) 236-2774
Best For: Formerly incarcerated people out of the community for no more than five years seeking residential support and job training.
What It Offers: CROP provides 12-month programming with rent-free housing, employment training, education support, and help building savings for permanent housing.
Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) — Transitional Employment
Address: Multiple Bay Area locations (check website for Oakland availability)
Phone: (510) 267-7815
Best For: People recently released from incarceration needing immediate paid work and job placement support.
What It Offers: CEO provides transitional employment on daily-pay work crews, job coaching, skills training, resume help, interview prep, and one-year retention support after job placement.
EastBay Works — Career Centers and Employment Services
Address: Multiple locations including Oakland East (675 Hegenberger Rd., 3rd Floor)
Phone: (510) 563-5200
Best For: Job seekers and community reentry liaison clients needing career counseling, job training, and placement assistance.
What It Offers: EastBay Works provides job search assistance, GED prep, apprenticeship programs, transportation, ID assistance, substance abuse referrals, and one-on-one career counseling.
Oakland Private Industry Council
Address: Oakland, CA
Phone: (510) 858-1815
Best For: Job seekers needing career counseling and pre-employment training, especially those facing barriers to employment.
What It Offers: OakPIC provides career counseling, job search assistance, pre-employment and life-skills training, and connections to employers.
America Works — Employment Services
Address: 1433 Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 891-8773 ext. 323
Best For: Hard-to-place job seekers including ex-offenders seeking private sector employment and job placement support.
What It Offers: America Works guarantees job placement or no fee; provides customized job matching, resume workshops, interview prep, and employer connections.
Goodwill Industries — Employment and Training
Address: Multiple Bay Area locations
Phone: (510) 273-7900
Best For: Job seekers with barriers needing employment training, job placement, and supportive services.
What It Offers: Goodwill provides job training, paid work experience, job placement, and career support for people with felony records and other employment barriers.
Substance Abuse Help in Oakland/Alameda County
Substance abuse treatment is one of the most important reentry needs for many people. These programs may help with detox referrals, outpatient treatment, residential treatment, sober living support, relapse prevention, and recovery planning.
BAART Programs — Opioid Addiction Treatment
Address: 1124 International Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94606
Phone: (510) 533-0800
Best For: People struggling with opioid addiction seeking medication-assisted treatment (methadone, buprenorphine).
What It Offers: BAART provides opioid addiction treatment, medication-assisted treatment, counseling, and wraparound services for people in recovery.
Magnolia Women’s Recovery Programs
Address: 3408 Andover Street, Oakland, CA 94609
Phone: (510) 547-1531
Best For: Pregnant women, postpartum women, and women with children struggling with substance use disorders.
What It Offers: Magnolia provides residential treatment with psychiatric evaluation, individual and family counseling, relapse prevention, parenting support, and family reunification.
Horizon Services — Chrysalis Residential Program
Address: Multiple locations in Alameda County
Phone: (510) 874-8600
Best For: Adult women living with mental health and substance use disorders seeking residential treatment.
What It Offers: Horizon provides residential treatment, clinical therapy, relapse prevention, life skills training, anger management, and family support.
Alameda County Substance Abuse Services
Address: Multiple locations
Phone: 1-800-491-9099
Best For: People needing substance abuse assessment, referral, and treatment services.
What It Offers: County substance abuse services provide assessments, outpatient and residential treatment referrals, case management, and support for recovery.
Merritt Peralta Institute Chemical Dependency Program
Address: 3408 Andover Street, Oakland, CA 94609
Phone: (510) 500-2840
Best For: People needing inpatient or intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment with medical support.
What It Offers: MPI offers 24-bed inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, family counseling, and aftercare planning.
Alameda Health System Recovery Programs — Multiple Locations
Address: Multiple locations
Phone: 211 or (510) 545-2000
Best For: Low-income individuals needing substance use treatment and integrated health services.
What It Offers: AHS offers outpatient and residential substance use treatment, mental health services, and connections to other county health programs.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Address: National referral line
Phone: 1-800-662-4357
Best For: People who need free, confidential referrals to local substance abuse or mental health treatment
What It Offers: SAMHSA connects callers to treatment providers, support groups, and community-based organizations nationwide.
Family, Youth, and Community Support
Reentry affects families, children, and the whole community. These organizations may help with mentoring, family support, youth programs, community connection, and advocacy.
Centerforce — Family and Community Support
Address: Bay Area locations
Phone: (510) 841-4218
Best For: Families of incarcerated people and individuals returning to the community seeking family support and mentorship.
What It Offers: Centerforce provides family visiting support, mentorship, reentry planning, fatherhood programs, community advocacy, and healing programs for justice-impacted communities.
Community Works — Mentorship and Advocacy
Address: Alameda County
Phone: (510) 268-7400
Best For: Justice-impacted individuals and families seeking advocacy and community support.
What It Offers: Community Works provides mentorship, peer support, financial incentives for education, and advocacy for individuals in reentry.
Men of Valor Academy — Mentorship and Employment for Men
Address: 268 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA
Phone: (510) 763-9045
Best For: Adult males on probation seeking residential housing, employment, education, and mentorship.
What It Offers: Men of Valor provides housing, employment training, education support, and mentoring to help men build stable lives.
Youth UpRising — Youth and Young Adult Support
Address: Oakland, CA
Phone: (510) 535-9415
Best For: Justice-involved youth and young adults seeking reentry support, employment, and community connection.
What It Offers: Youth UpRising provides youth employment programs, reentry support, education, advocacy, and community leadership development.
The Mentoring Center — Youth Mentoring Programs
Address: Oakland, CA
Phone: (510) 839-9000
Best For: Youth and young adults in the juvenile justice system seeking mentoring and reentry support.
What It Offers: The Mentoring Center provides youth mentoring, reentry planning, education support, and community connection for justice-involved young people.
Oakland/Bay Area CARES Mentoring Movement
Address: Oakland, CA
Phone: Contact via website
Best For: Young people (especially young men of color) seeking mentoring, community support, and wellness programs.
What It Offers: CARES provides group mentoring circles, wellness support, and connections to caring adults in the community.
Davis Street Family Resource Center
Address: Oakland, CA
Phone: (510) 347-4620
Best For: Families seeking child care, education support, case management, and community programs.
What It Offers: Davis Street provides family resource services, early education, youth programs, mental health support, and community events.
Other Helpful Resources
These guides may also help if you are rebuilding your life in Oakland/Alameda County:
Reentry Programs in California
Best For: Statewide reentry help
What It Offers: A larger list of California reentry programs, housing resources, job help, legal support, and basic needs resources.
Jobs For Felons & Companies
Best For: People looking for work with a criminal record
What It Offers: A list of companies and job types that may be more open to hiring people with felony convictions.
Felon Friendly Apartments & Housing
Best For: People who need housing after incarceration
What It Offers: Practical advice for finding apartments, asking about background checks, and locating housing options that may review applicants individually.
Emergency Financial Help for Felons
Best For: People who need immediate help with money, food, bills, or basic needs
What It Offers: Emergency assistance ideas and places to look for short-term help.
Grants for Felons
Best For: People looking for financial assistance to rebuild after incarceration
What It Offers: A guide to grants that may be available to people with felony records.
Scholarships for Felons
Best For: People with records who want to pursue education
What It Offers: A list of scholarships that may be available to formerly incarcerated people and those with criminal records.
Resources for Felons
Best For: General reentry help
What It Offers: A broader collection of resources for people with felony records.
What Makes a Good Reentry Program in Oakland?
A good reentry program should do more than hand you a phone number. Look for programs that offer direct help, clear intake steps, realistic services, and staff who understand criminal records.
Strong reentry programs usually help with:
- Housing or housing referrals
- Job readiness and employer connections
- Substance abuse or mental health support
- Legal aid or expungement referrals
- Identification documents
- Family reunification
- Case management
- Transportation or basic needs referrals
- Long-term support, not only one appointment
Tips for Choosing a Reentry Program in Oakland
Call before you go. Ask whether you need an appointment, ID, proof of release, probation paperwork, parole paperwork, Medicaid information, or referral documents.
Ask these questions:
- Do you work with people who have felony convictions?
- Do you help with housing, or only give referrals?
- Do you help people who are homeless right now?
- Do you help with jobs or only resume classes?
- Do you help with expungement or record clearing?
- Is there a waitlist?
- Do I need to live in Oakland/Alameda County?
- Do you accept walk-ins?
- Are services free?
- What should I bring to my first appointment?
Disclaimer
This page is for general information only. Reentry program details, eligibility rules, phone numbers, locations, funding, and services can change at any time. Always contact the program directly before visiting. Help For Felons does not guarantee that any organization will accept you, provide housing, offer financial help, remove a criminal record, or place you in a job. This information is not legal advice. Program information on this page was gathered from official program websites, Alameda County and City of Oakland sources, and direct program listings. If you find outdated or incorrect information, please contact us.
