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Libby,
Happy Thanksgiving and congratulations to Mayor-elect Sheng Thao – and to everyone who engaged in our democratic process, whether they stepped forward to run for office, volunteered for a campaign, or tallied votes. Your passionate engagement keeps our democracy strong.
Now that the campaign is over, it is my greatest hope that residents and our newly-elected Councilmembers will unify for the good of Oakland and work together toward our shared goal of a bright future for all residents. I will support Mayor-elect Thao and her team in the coming weeks to ensure a seamless transition, and I will continue to support our residents as we unite together for a stronger Oakland.
Welcome to the Mayor’s Weekly Briefing, your weekly Oakland news roundup. You can read, subscribe, and catch up on past newsletters at our newsletter homepage on the City of Oakland website.
In community,
—Libby
MAYOR LIBBY SCHAAF
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Shopping Safe in Oakland this Holiday Season | |
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Shop Safe Oakland for the holidays! Together with Oakland's Business Improvement Districts, all 5 Chambers of Commerce, the Oakland Police Department and community leaders, on Wednesday we announced two new initiatives to make it safer to support downtown Oakland and neighborhood businesses this holiday season.
Shop Safe Oakland includes an immediate expansion of civilian ambassadors and security used in shopping areas through the holidays, grants to commercial organizations to help store owners purchase and install additional security and improve lighting, and expanded coordination and shared communications equipment between OPD and commercial organizations.
OPD will also be extending City's 30 day strategy, which includes directing more officers to higher-crime areas and to the investigative division, through the end of the year.
More Info! - Press Release | Full Press Conference Video
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NEW! - Oakland Education Survey
The City of Oakland is collecting residents' feedback in order to ensure that we are meeting the needs of the community. Please take a moment to fill out this short survey, with all responses confidential:
Take the survey here.
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Spring Semester Free at All Peralta Colleges | |
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For the second semester in a row, the Peralta Colleges—Laney, Berkeley City College, College of Alameda and Merritt College—are offering free tuition. Whether you're working towards transferring to a four-year college, or just taking a few units to learn a skill or pursue an interest, the Peralta Colleges are a fantastic resource for Oaklanders, and this spring they will be FREE! Find more information below.
Spring is Free | Oaklandside Article
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Paid Public Service Job Training Opportunity! | |
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Are you a young adult looking for a paid job training opportunity with the City of Oakland? Apply today to the Oakland Public Works (OPW) Training Academy: a 4-6 month program for Oaklanders aged 18-30 who want to prepare for a career in public service. This is a great opportunity to get hands-on training that will give you a leg-up in applying for entry-level openings with OPW including Park Attendant, Office Assistant, and Custodial & Facility Security. It will also provide valuable career building skills like resume writing, interviewing, and inter-personal communication. Applications are open now through December 2nd and can be found below.
OPW Training Academy Info + Application
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Biden-Harris Administration's Student Loan Debt Relief applications are now live, and the process takes 2 minutes! To apply, you need only your name, social security number, phone number, and email, with no login required. Eligible applicants can get up to $10,000 in debt relief and up to $20,000 in debt relief if you received a Federal Pell Grant in college.
Apply right now at studentaid.gov and help spread the word!
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If you are a business owner or a commercial property owner, the Façade and Tenant Improvement Programs (FTIP) can help you enhance the appearance of your commercial building to reduce blight and encourage economic development. Grants are used for approved exterior and interior renovations to commercial and mixed-use properties. The relaunched program expands eligibility citywide and makes several changes that aim to reduce barriers small businesses have faced in accessing the program. The application window for the revised program is scheduled to open on December 1st and run through January 31s
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How can we get more people involved in transportation policies and investment choices? What are the best ways to encourage Bay Area residents to participate in planning for the region’s future? The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has released an online survey to get input from the public, partner agencies and others as the Commission prepares its next Public Participation Plan (PPP). The survey is available now through Nov. 30. Take the survey in English, Chinese, or Spanish.
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The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) invites you to apply for the 2023 Summer Learning Awards. Each year, the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) recognizes programs that provide high quality summer learning opportunities to young people in communities across the nation. Program candidates for the Summer Learning Awards demonstrate excellence in accelerating academic achievement and promoting healthy development for low income children and youth between pre-kindergarten and twelfth grade. Think your program has what it takes to be recognized as a national leader? Apply today! Applications must be submitted by December 16, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. E.T.
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Observed each year on the third Monday in January, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King and improve their communities. Interested in hosting an MLK Day of Service project? Join AmeriCorps for these informative webinars about planning and promoting your service projects.
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Oakland’s Housing and Community Development Department released their 2021 Impact Report detailing their strategies and investments around housing protection, preservation, and production. Visit this link to view the full report.
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Oakland’s Accessory Dwelling Unit Loan Program (ADULP) provides financing and technical assistance to low-income homeowners to convert an existing unpermitted secondary unit into a legal Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU). The Program will provide a low interest deferred payment construction loan of up to $100,000 per household, along with guidance with design development and the competitive construction bidding process. Priority Application Deadline is December 1st, 2022. Applications will be accepted to the waitlist until February 1st, 2023.
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The Bay Area Mural Program is a non-profit "turning bare, blighted walls into artistic community landmarks." Many of the Oakland's murals have come to life through BAMP. Check out their website here, where you can also schedule a free Downtown Oakland Mural Tour and get an insider's perspective on some of the stories behind Oakland's street art and the artists who created them.
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Clear the drain before the rain! Residents and businesses can help minimize flooding in their neighborhood by volunteering with the City’s Adopt-A-Drain program to keep a storm drain near their home or business free of debris. By signing up, you will receive storm notification emails before large storm events, and the City can provide rakes, brooms, dust pans, bags and other supplies. To sign up, visit this link or call (510) 238-7630.
- Visit Oakland has launched the Oakland Vegan Trail, an online gastronomic guide that boasts 20+ plant-based restaurants found in The Town. The Oakland Vegan Trail map includes an overview of each restaurant, with menu highlights, location, and contact information.
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The Sam Taylor Foundation is a Bay Area nonprofit that promotes emotional well-being and prevents suicide for our community’s teens and young adults, giving them the skills and support they need to thrive today…and tomorrow. Donate here.
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Oakland’s Tool Lending Library has all kinds of tools including circular saws, gardening tools, hammers, and screwdrivers available to be checked out, just like a book! The Tool Lending Library is located at 5205 Telegraph Avenue, and open every day but Sunday.
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Seniors and people living with physical challenges can purchase TaxiScrip books at a discount. Participants arrange their own rides by calling a taxi company in contract with the City of Oakland. For more information, call 510-238-3036 and leave a message, or check online at the City's website.
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ICAC’s Safe Car Park Program aims to provide safe overnight parking for individuals & families living out of their cars. Washing station, showers & laundry services Wednesdays from 4pm to 8pm & access to care packages, minor auto repair, ticket, and DMV registration support. For general information on ICAC or on the Safe Car Park Program, visit interfaithac.org or call (510) 239-8832
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Children Rising is looking for volunteer reading and math tutors to help elementary school children in Oakland area schools for the 2022-2023 school year. No experience is necessary; we supply training and teaching materials. Our tutors work one-on-one with students below grade level in reading and math. The time commitment is 2 hours every week during school hours as a part of a supported, onsite tutor team. Learn More or Apply Now.
- 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.
- REMINDER: Even though the federal moratorium has ended, Oakland's eviction moratorium remains in place. Find rental resources here.
OPPORTUNITIES
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Next Tuesday, CA State Treasurer Fiona Ma and the Alameda County Office of Education are hosting a CalKIDS Town Hall from 6:30-8:30pm. You can learn about and register for a College Savings Account provided by the State of California. All children born in California since July 1, 2022 and all 1st-12th grade public school students from low-income backgrounds in California are eligible for $500+ in college savings accounts. The event will also have a raffle for 3 signed Warriors jerseys and free dinner. Find more info and register here.
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Are you a young adult looking for a PAID job training opportunity with the City of Oakland? Apply today to the Oakland Public Works (OPW) Training Academy: a 4-6 month program for Oaklanders aged 18-30 who want to prepare for a career in public service. This is a great opportunity to get hands-on training that will give you a leg-up in applying for entry-level openings with OPW including Park Attendant, Office Assistant, and Custodial & Facility Security. It will also provide valuable career building skills like resume writing, interviewing, and inter-personal communication. Applications are open now through December 2nd and can be found here.
- The City of Oakland has a variety of job opportunities available. Find a list of postings here.
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Public Ethics Commission: The Public Ethics Commission is an independent commission made up of Oakland residents and charged with ensuring fairness, openness, honesty and integrity in Oakland City government. The Commission trained almost 800 city staff and elected officials on government ethics requirements in 2021. Apply to be a Commissioner and help lead the Public Ethics Commission to an even greater impact! Find more info and apply here.
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Mayor's Commission on Persons with Disabilities. The MCPD represents and addresses the concerns of the disability community, acting as the City’s designated advisory body for ADA compliance. In the past year, the Commission has worked with City and community agencies and organizations such as OakDOT, the Oakland Fire Department, MACRO, the Oakland Community Police Review Agency, PG&E, Oakland Public Works, and many more. Find more information here!
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Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board. The LPAB identifies historic landmarks in Oakland, conducts design review hearings on historic properties, and advises the Planning Commission and City Council on preservation. Interested Oaklanders, including historians, architects, city planners and real estate brokers, can apply here.
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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.
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Waste Management of Alameda County has created an Oakland Talent Advisor position and is currently looking to fill the role. This position will focus on recruiting Oakland residents for jobs at WMAC and if desired other WM locations in the Bay Area. The Oakland Talent Advisor will be based at WM's office on 98th Avenue and ideally will be filled by an Oakland resident. Anyone interested in the position can contact Louis Ramirez, Area Director for People at lramire3@wm.com or 214-626-8803.
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Men of Color! Be a mirror for young kings to read, write, and discover. Change the face of education! Sign up to be an Early Literacy Tutor here. These are paid positions with benefits and professional development opportunities.
- 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
- Oakland Unified School District is hiring for a variety of roles! Find out more at the OUSD Jobs Portal.
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AC Transit is hiring bus operators. Jobs start at $22.11/hour after paid training. Learn more about further opportunities here.
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The County of Alameda recently announced the investment of $4 million to the local Early Care and Education system for existing infrastructure needs and capacity building of the field. One-time grants will be awarded to eligible licensed Family Child Care (FCC) and Center-based programs in Alameda County. Visit the website to learn about grant eligibility, award levels, and apply!
- 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.
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