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Libby,
Ballots are still being counted and we don't yet know the outcome of the Mayor's race, and many other races. While California's shift to mail-in voting makes the vote-counting process take a little longer, it greatly expands access to voting and encourages participation in our democracy, and that's a good trade. Those curious can visit The Oaklandside's Oakland Election Results page, while the new voting updates are posted directly to the County website. Thanks again to all who voted in 2022!
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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Oakland Travels to Egypt for COP27 Summit | |
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This week, I'm at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt for the United Nations's Annual Climate Change Conference. This summit is an excellent opportunity for Oakland, as we are able to engage and work with global climate leaders on the most pressing crisis of our time.
Earlier today, I had the great honor of giving remarks on behalf of all local and regional governments at COP27 at its very first Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change—the first time at a COP summit that local governments spoke to national delegates in an official capacity.
We requested the formal inclusion of cities in the final COP agreement. It has been particularly impactful to be with representatives from other local governments around the world, and to hear insights and strategies for tackling the climate crisis at home. As a recognized leader in climate equity, I have also been able to share some of Oakland's innovations in this space.
And some exciting news: On Wednesday, the Home Equity Electrification Project received a $1M grant from @Googleorg. This collaboration between the cities of Oakland, Berkeley, Hayward, Fremont, and Habitat for Humanity will help Oakland address housing costs AND protect low-income communities from disproportionate climate impacts.
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Oakland Paving and Roads 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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Oakland's Cannabis Equity Week Rolls On | |
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With cannabis legalized in California and more and more states around the country, it is imperative that these reforms be accompanied by restorative justice, as tens of thousands of people across the US are incarcerated for marijuana-related charges.
In 2017, the City of Oakland made history by becoming the first jurisdiction in the country to launch a Cannabis Equity Program, which helps those disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs enter the cannabis industry and build local businesses. In an effort to raise awareness of equity businesses and help them survive and thrive, Oakland launched an inaugural Equity Week celebration from November 14-18, in partnership with Visit Oakland and their Cannabis Trail. During Equity Week, select Oakland dispensaries will be offering special deals on products from Oakland equity brands. Find more details below.
Oakland Cannabis Equity Week
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Oakland's 31st Annual Community Day of Thanks | |
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Next Tuesday, November 22, the City of Oakland will host the 31st annual Community Day of Thanks and Thanksgiving Dinner, with 3,100 meals to be provided to Oakland residents between 11am and 1pm at the Oakland Marriott. Volunteers are valuable in ensuring we are able to serve the Oakland community, if you are interested in supporting this effort, please sign up for a role and time slots at this link.
Thank you to all of the community partners who make this day possible! If you are interested in supporting this event, a donation of $26 will provide a meal for one guest and $104 for a family of four. Donations are tax-deductible. Please make your checks payable to the City of Oakland Hunger Program, and mail to:
City of Oakland Hunger Program, Attn: Blanca Leggett
150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 4340, Oakland, CA 94612
For more information about this event, please contact 510.986.2721.
Volunteer Sign Up
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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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Festivities at the West Oakland Mural Project's Serve the People Block Party. Learn more about (and consider donating to!) the West Oakland Mural Project, and the permanent art project and museum dedicated to the legacy of the Black Panther Party and its women leaders at this link. | |
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The East Bay Regional Park District seeks your help to support the ever-growing movement to exonerate the Port Chicago 50! Efforts to exonerate the Port Chicago 50, the brave African American sailors who risked their lives standing up to an unjust and racist system, has been ongoing since Thurgood Marshall first appealed their mutiny convictions in 1945. In recent years, that mission to exonerate the sailors has become amplified through strong support and work from local politicians, advocates, and champions like you. Please join the Park District on Wednesday, November 16 through Friday, November 18 to call the Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Tora, and United States Senators: Senator Dianne Feinstein and Senator Alex Padilla to respectfully ask them to lead the State of California in an effort to exonerate the Port Chicago 50. Find more info here.
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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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Hack the Hood invites you to their year-end fundraiser kick-off, and movie screening for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Join them as they launch their campaign, Tech Futures, to raise $40,000 to allow Hack the Hood to continue to serve our Black, Latinx, AAPI, and Indigenous youth with innovative tech education, identity-affirming, mentorship, and career pathways in the tech industry. Hack the Hood invites all learners, alumni, families, friends, advocates, partners, and the larger Oakland community to share in the excitement of this cultural moment with a movie focused on STEM and the advancement, ingenuity, and strength of the Black community. The screening is on Saturday, November 12 from 2-7pm (Screening begins at 3pm) at our very own Grand Lake Theater. Please visit this link for more info and to save your seat!
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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.
- The City of Oakland Housing & Community Development Department is happy to announce the release of the 2022 Request for Proposals for Homekey 3.0. In anticipation of the State's third Homekey application cycle in early 2023, the City is seeking proposals for permanent, semi-permanent, and/or interim affordable housing for homeless and formerly homeless individuals and households through the City of Oakland Homekey RFP:
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Proposals are due tomorrow, Friday, November 18, 2022 at 4:00PM
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The City of Oakland has released the Homekey RFP via the City Homekey website. Please submit your proposal through the online application portal on the website. Proposals will be due Friday, November 18th, 2022 at 4:00PM.
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RFP Info Session- October 21, 2022 at 1:00PM Link to join.
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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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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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