People Who Need People in Redlands, CA

Pros

• They go above and beyond to ensure clients get essentials.
• The staff are friendly, professional, and genuinely caring.
• They serve breakfast daily and provide services that help people start their day.
• They offer clothing and food to those in need.
• They provide resume help, job search support, and free training and certification opportunities.
• They welcome volunteers and recognize their important contributions.
• They create a family-like, supportive atmosphere for clients.
• They host multiple programs and connect people to other community resources.
• They run drive-thru food pickup that is fast and easy.
• They provide housing assistance and help families move toward stable living situations.
• They maintain a clean, organized environment and handle front-desk tasks efficiently.
• They offer events and services under one roof, making resources accessible.
• They deliver courteous, respectful service and treat clients with dignity.

Cons

• The staff and volunteers are rude and awkward.
• A reviewer says Ms. Paula was unhelpful, refused to assist, and even hung up the phone.
• The breakfast is criticized for not providing enough food, and the Kool-Aid is described as the worst.
• Some programs are not available and staff are slacking on housing or motel voucher assistance.
• There is a perception that the organization favors its own Hispanic staff and clients and denies other clients.
• Several comments describe aggressive or unprofessional behavior by staff, with one reviewer saying they would give zero stars.

Review

This community is best suited for families and individuals in Redlands who need immediate, practical support rather than a long-term care arrangement. It operates as a one-stop hub for essentials, offering daily breakfast, on-site laundry and shower access, a pantry-style resource with canned and boxed goods, and a clothing closet. It also provides tangible help beyond goods, including seasonal programs, baby items, and diapers, which can stabilize a family’s daily life at a moment of stress. For those navigating unemployment or entry into the job market, the center hosts resume work, training, and certification opportunities in partnership with a local workforce program, with interview attire and other support available on select days. The atmosphere can feel like a community center where staff and volunteers treat visitors with genuine care, and many clients report that a sense of belonging and practical assistance becomes available quickly.

Those considering alternatives should note this is not a substitute for formal housing placement services, long-term medical oversight, or consistent, guaranteed housing assistance. Several reviewers describe the process as uneven, with some programs not always available and some clients denied aid for unclear reasons or strict qualifications. Critically, a handful of staff interactions have been described as abrupt or difficult, and there are reports of inconsistent experiences depending on which case manager is assisting. For families facing persistent housing insecurity or those who require predictable, centralized housing and financial assistance, it may be prudent to couple visits here with county social services, other charitable housing programs, or government housing resources to ensure a steadier pathway forward.

The strongest justification for engaging this center lies in its breadth of immediate resources and the staff’s willingness to mobilize support. The daily morning meal can anchor a day, while free clothing, comfort items, and hygiene products help reduce the emotional and financial strain of rough weeks. The presence of a pantry and donation-driven clothing program means families can replenish staples and apparel without paying out of pocket, which matters when rent is late or a paycheck is missed. The job-readiness assistance and the chance to access certification and training are meaningful bridges toward independence, particularly for those returning to work after a setback. Volunteers and staff who consistently go the extra mile, helping with documentation, reminders, and follow-through, can turn a discouraging day into a reachable step forward.

Yet the center’s appeal is tempered by notable caveats. Program availability can be episodic, and some reviews recount denials that feel inconsistent with the stated mission of broad support. Questions around qualification criteria and the administrative hurdles for housing or category-specific aid can create friction, especially for first-time applicants or those with complex needs. Donors and clients alike report mixed experiences with frontline staff: while several individuals praise kindness, professionalism, and patience, others describe encounters as brisk or unhelpful, highlighting a leadership gap in ensuring uniform service quality. The donation process itself carries explicit rules that can frustrate well-intentioned contributors, underscoring that this operation balances generosity with networked constraints. In short, the center can be a lifeline, but its reliability depends on timing, program availability, and the particular staff member engaged.

Despite these drawbacks, the practical gains for families who navigate thoughtfully are sizable. The organization’s community-driven approach creates a space where basic needs are met with immediacy, and where clients can access a variety of resources under one roof rather than bouncing between agencies. The existence of a centralized intake, a path to clothing and food, and a public-spirited volunteer network helps families stabilize enough to address longer-term goals. When the right staff member collaborates, someone who reviews documents, remembers past interactions, and follows up on deadlines, the experience shifts from delayed relief to constructive momentum. This is especially true for individuals who can articulate clear immediate needs, bring the necessary paperwork, and lean into the offered job resources with a proactive mindset.

For families evaluating options, the take-home is clear: use this center as part of a larger strategy, not as the sole solution. It can kickstart stability by meeting daily needs, bridging to employment opportunities, and connecting to a supportive community. To maximize benefits, prospective clients should prepare by bringing relevant documents, identify which programs are actively available on the day of visit, and request a specific case manager if possible to help ensure consistency. For those who encounter friction or uncertain outcomes, it is wise to simultaneously pursue housing-focused nonprofits or public assistance programs that provide steadier, longer-term pathways. Donors and volunteers can still contribute meaningfully, but best results come from aligning expectations with the practical realities of program availability and staff capacity.

In sum, People Who Need People is a practical, community-centered resource hub that can meaningfully reduce the daily burden for families with tight budgets or evolving needs. It should be seen as a critical adjunct in a broader support plan: a place to secure essentials, obtain job-readiness assistance, and tap into a community that values dignity and help. The center shines when engaged with purpose, persistence, and realistic expectations about program timing and eligibility. For those who can harness its strengths, reliability through a dependable network of clothing, food, and basic services, plus approachable staff, the payoff is tangible: fewer urgent pressures, a clearer path to employment, and a renewed sense that community support is within reach.

This part of Redlands, California is a well-connected and convenient area with a variety of amenities and services nearby. There are several physicians and medical centers within close proximity for easy access to healthcare. Additionally, there are numerous restaurants offering diverse dining options, as well as cafes for a leisurely coffee break. Pharmacies are also conveniently located for medication needs. For leisure activities, there are theaters for entertainment and parks for outdoor relaxation. Places of worship provide spiritual support within the community. The area also has hospitals nearby for any medical emergencies. Overall, this neighborhood offers a balanced mix of convenience, amenities, and services that could be suitable for senior living.

Physicians

• Mountain Vista Optical (0 miles)
• Aesthetic Skin & Laser Medical Center: Steven E. Hodgkin, MD (0.3 miles)
• Beaver Medical Group (0.4 miles)
• Jamron Neil D MD (0.4 miles)
• Clonch, Thomas J DDS: Thomas J Clonch, DDS (0.5 miles)
• In Your Best Interest Medical Clinic (1.2 miles)
• Beaver Medical Group (1.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Eating Room (0 miles)
• Aroi Mak Mak (0.2 miles)
• McDonald's (0.3 miles)
• September’s Taproom & Eatery (0.3 miles)
• Taco Bell (1.3 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.7 miles)
• Mr. Taco (1.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Lopez, Kristina - Beaver Medical Group (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• ABC Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Ascend Pharmaceuticals (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)

Theaters

• Studio Movie Grill (0.3 miles)
• Mountain Grove 16 (1.9 miles)

Cafes

• The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (0.3 miles)
• Starbucks (0.3 miles)
• Starbucks (0.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (0.7 miles)
• Starbucks (1.7 miles)
• Stell Coffee & Tea Company (1.7 miles)
• Starbucks (1.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• The Labyrinth At Memorial Chapel. University Of Redlands (1.1 miles)
• The River Christian Reformed Church (1.1 miles)
• Trinity Church (2.1 miles)
• Packinghouse Church (2.3 miles)
• Crosswalk Church (3.4 miles)
• National Association of Seventh Day Adventist Dentists (4.8 miles)

Parks

• Brookside Park (1.8 miles)
• Leonard Bailey Park (3 miles)

Hospitals

• Loma Linda Ambulatory Care Center (3.2 miles)
• Mountain View Surgery Center (3.3 miles)
• Jerry L Pettis Memorial (4 miles)

Transportation

• San Bernardino Transit Center (7.3 miles)