April 7, 2022
Dear Friend,

On Sunday, the Islamic holy month of Ramadan began. I wish all who celebrate Ramadan Kareem!! For those not celebrating, let's give some grace to our friends and community members who are fasting from sun-up to sundown this month. And let us all take this time to remind ourselves to be kind, patient, generous, and forgiving to others.

Welcome to the Mayor’s Weekly Briefing, your weekly Oakland news roundup. Please forward this to a friend. They may subscribe here.

In community,
—Libby
MAYOR LIBBY SCHAAF
Oakland Converts More Hotels into Housing
Image via Piedmont Place
In last week's newsletter, we discussed the critical impact that Project Homekey, California's innovative homelessness initiative has had in cities including Oakland.

This week we are excited to announce that Oakland won $14.8 million from Homekey to convert Piedmont Place into permanent supportive housing for our chronically homeless individuals. Responding to this crisis requires our coordination with all levels of government and community: local, regional, state, and federal. We'll continue to work closely with Gov. Gavin Newsom and our state legislators to rapidly convert more existing facilities in Oakland into affordable housing.

Free Tax Assistance Available Now
Taxes are due next Friday, April 15, and there are new credits for low and middle-income tax filers. Even if you don't normally file, file this year! You can receive your full Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit & the Earned Income Tax Credit.


The City of Oakland’s Tax Assistance VITA site at Downtown Oakland Senior Center is once again providing no cost tax preparation assistance. If your household earned income was $57,500 or less in 2021, you can take advantage of this free benefit and get your taxes prepared by Certified IRS volunteers. Save your money in tax preparation fees and schedule your appointment today to see if you qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). To file online, visit: getyourrefund.org/oakland. For a drop-off appointment, please call the EITC Hotline at (510) 238-4911 or book your appointment here: City of Oakland Tax Prep Appointment.

National Library Week in Oakland:
Preserving History and Shaping the Future
The Oakland Public Library was founded on November 7, 1878 as the Oakland Free Library, only the second free library in the state. Today, the Oakland Public Library boasts 22 branches and includes resources and opportunities such as:


This National Library Week, we recognize the Oakland Public Library's long-time commitment to education and literacy, and its transformational impact on the culture, health, and welfare of our community. If you are able, consider making a donation to Friends of the Oakland Public Library.
Building Community, Safety Nets for Young Adults
As young people transition to adulthood, they become eligible for fewer and fewer social services, and far too many fall through the cracks. Desire Johnson-Forte was once in danger herself. Now. Johnson-Forte, an Oakland native who struggled as a young adult, is the executive director of The BIZ (Black Intergenerational Zeal) Stoop, which serves young people in need of services. The BIZ Stoop provides life coaching, economic education, and financial support, as well as facilitating group conversations with other young people. In this interview with KQED's Pendarvis Harshaw, Desire speaks about fatalism, healing, and her own life's journey from needing support from her community to providing it.
The City of Oakland requires proof of vaccination for people 12 years and older to enter indoor public spaces such as restaurants, cafes, bars, theaters, gyms, concert venues, and museums. This is an important step that underscores how vital it is that Oaklanders get vaccinated and boosted. If you'd prefer not to carry around your paper vaccination card, get a digital copy of your COVID-19 vaccine record here.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Jessica Ramos, the student liaison for #OaklandUndivided and a superstar in the Oakland community, was recently named an Impact Warrior. Jessica's leadership helped #OaklandUndivided distribute 29,000 computers, 10,000 hotspots, and provide tech support to 10,000 families during the pandemic, and move us closer toward bridging the digital divide in Oakland for good. Go Jessica!
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Image via C-SPAN
Last Thursday was #TransDayofVisibility, and Oaklander and 40-time Jeopardy champ (!!!) Amy Schneider visited the White House Press Briefing Room. Oakland is the proud home of a large and wonderfully visible transgender community. To transgender folks in our city and across the country: Keep being you and living your truth—Oakland celebrates you!
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND RESOURCES
  • AC Transit has created a new Twitter account to provide real-time service information Monday-Friday from 6am-7pm: @RideACTAlerts. The current account, @RideACT, will continue to post news, events, polls, giveaways, and more!

  • If you are eligible for the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit, go get that money! Most families will receive $3,000 per child ages 6-17 and $3,600 per child under 6 as a result of the increased 2021 Child Tax Credit. Please visit ChildTaxCredit.gov to see if you're eligible and claim what you are entitled to.

  • The City’s Economic & Workforce Development Department has launched a permanent business support program in Oakland’s neighborhoods. The Neighborhood Business Assistance program has added a sixth location and opened appointment dates for Oakland entrepreneurs and business owners to get advice and support. Appointments can be booked online at this link or by calling (510) 238-7398.

  • Help shape Oakland's General Plan Update by participating in our upcoming community meetings. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for all Oaklanders to create a visionary blueprint together for the future of our City. Find meeting times here.

  • New laws for 2022 make it easier to create more housing in Oakland! Single-family homeowners may now build more homes or split their lots with more homes, and owners of RVs may now occupy these "vehicular residences" with special permits. Learn more.

  • REMINDER: Even though the federal moratorium has ended, Oakland's eviction moratorium remains in place. Find rental resources here.

OPPORTUNITIES

  • The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration is looking to fill its field offices across the state with full-time entry-level hires. The department will hold a virtual open house on Friday, April 22. Find out more in this Sacramento Bee article, or view the job posting directly here.

  • SOS Meals on Wheels is in dire need of support from our community to avoid placing current clients on a waiting list. Volunteer meal delivery drivers commit 2-3 hours (in the 9am-1pm window) one morning weekday each week. To get involved, please contact: Victoria Mariolle, Volunteer Program Manager (510) 582-1263 ext. 147 | victoria@sosmow.org OR Cynthia Arrington, Volunteer Program Coordinator (510) 582-1263 ext. 115 | cynthia@sosmow.org

  • The East Bay Regional Park District is hiring 50 new lifeguards for the 2022 swim season at its 10 East Bay swim facilities. All new lifeguard positions are seasonal, full-time positions from May through September. Apply by April 23!

  • Interested in serving your city and contributing to a holistic, comprehensive, vision of public safety? Consider a career with Oakland Police Department at opdjobs.com

  • Civicorps, an incredible workforce development organization based in West Oakland, offers paid job training for young adults age 18-26. No experience necessary, and a high school diploma completion program is available for those who need it. Find more info about Civicorps opportunities at this link.
 
  • Are you committed to fair housing and rent regulation in Oakland? The Housing, Residential Rent and Relocation Board (aka the Rent Board) enforces the Rent Adjustment Ordinance and fosters fair housing for a diverse population of renters, hears rent adjustment appeals, and develops regulations for the Rent Adjustment Program. This is a great opportunity to learn more about rent regulation in Oakland as well as serve the community! You can learn more and fill out an online application here.

  • The City of Oakland is looking for qualified applicants to fill positions in our Planning & Building Department. Work with our experienced staff in the Strategic Planning or Zoning Divisions or our Digital Unit. Learn more and apply here.


  • Was your New Year's resolution to find a new job? Oakland residents have access to 5,000 free online courses in multiple languages to help advance your career of prepare to return to work. Learn more here.


  • The Youth Beat Multimedia Apprentice program, launching in 2022, is currently recruiting BIPOC young adults who are NOT currently on a 4-year college track but who are ready to dive into a career in media. Apprentices will gain access to professional tools, skills, and mentors they need to pursue a fulfilling career in the film and media industry. Apply here!

  • Oakland Unified School District is hiring for a variety of roles! Find out more at the OUSD Jobs Portal.

  • AC Transit is hiring bus operators. Jobs start at $22.11/hour after paid training. Learn more about further opportunities here.