Our Story

Allen Temple Baptist Church (ATBC) has had a long standing commitment to social services. Since its inception in 1919, ATBC has been highly committed to providing an array of services to families in the East Oakland community. This commitment stems from the church’s mission, which includes a mandate for justice, love, and living in right relationship with our God and the community.

In 1996, as a result of the vision and support of then Senior Pastor, Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr., and then Assistant Pastor, Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Jr. and the leadership of Rev. Eunice Shaw, a Social Services program was established.

In 2002, the social services program received its Federal 501(c)(3) nonprofit status under its formal name Allen Temple Health and Social Services Ministries (ATHSSM). Under the continued leadership of our founding Executive Director, Rev. Shaw, the organization grew to serve over 1,000 men annually, along with additional support for women and children through an array of services that include substance abuse counseling and support groups, parenting classes, individual and family counseling, job information and training, and HIV/AIDS testing and treatment referral. Rev. Shaw retired in 2014. Gloria Crowell served as Executive Director, vision of quality support programs for those in need.