The ReCARES Network is a small local community benefit and environmental 501(c)3 non-profit in the Bay Area. The organization was founded in 1996, when Liisa Nenonen, an operating room nurse, was looking for environmentally sound solutions for the wise reuse of healthcare resources. Thanks to the support of the San Francisco Solid Waste Management Program and Alameda County Recycling Board, ReCARES began its operations to collect used durable medical equipment, assistive devices, and surplus home care supplies donated by families, hospitals, and assisted living facilities and to then distribute them to people in need.
Nowadays, ReCARES serves a diverse population. Many of the people who benefit from our service are people with disabilities, caregivers, or senior adults who come to find the equipment and supplies to live safely and comfortably in their homes. ReCARES helps an important number of individuals who also belong to the African-American, Asian-American, Latinx, and multiple immigrant communities of the East Bay Area. With its current distribution sites in Oakland, San Francisco, and Marin County, ReCARES serves over 3,000 people a year and distributes more than 6,000 items ranging from wheelchairs to adult incontinence supplies and personal care items.
Since its foundation in 1996 up to date, ReCARES has consolidated as an essential community resource that provides safety and dignity for vulnerable elders, supports the independent living of individuals with disabilities, and eases the stress of families that face
the age and health challenges of a beloved one.
Mission
We aim to decrease environmental waste and increase access to medical equipment and supplies in the community.
Values
Respect
For the environment and the world that we inhabit.
For the people, especially those navigating health issues and their caregivers.
Inspiration
We encourage others to reduce their environmental impact by inviting them to donate the DME and supplies that no longer serve them.
We help others to give and receive without looking at social markers such as SES, race, ethnicity, legal status, etc.
Service
We offer compassionate assistance to everyone who comes to ReCARES.
How do we do it
Every week volunteers at our three Bay Area sites accept no-longer-needed durable medical equipment and supplies and pass them on to local individuals who might have difficulty affording such items. The walkers, wheelchairs, adult diapers, medical supplies, and many other items we provide free of charge, help individuals and families with their healthcare, mobility, and safety needs while preventing much waste from going to landfills.