|
Libby,
Happy holidays, Oakland! May you spend this time in the company of friends, family, neighbors, and loved ones. With the end of my term approaching, I am thankful for all of you—the residents of Oakland—for making my time as Mayor so very special. We'll see you next week for the last newsletter!
With Oakland-love Always,
—Libby
MAYOR LIBBY SCHAAF
| |
Universal Preschool for Oakland Children | |
|
Universal access to preschool for Oakland kids. Thanks to the voters of Oakland passing Measure AA, for the first time in Oakland's history, preschool will be accessible and affordable for all Oakland 3- and 4-year-old children citywide within the decade. Finally, we will be able to give every child born in Oakland access to quality preschool and cradle-to-career supports to get to and through college for the next 30 years. We must deliver on Oakland's greatest promise – our children.
Measure AA, known as the Oakland Children’s Initiative, will also support college access for public school students, including scholarships, coaching and mentoring. Measure AA will invest almost $1 billion over the next 30 years for Oakland’s low-income students.
| |
Oakland Earns 'Prohousing City' Distinction | |
|
Oakland is honored to be recognized as a Prohousing City! In the past eight years, we've increased home-building at all income levels and doubled affordable housing production. Oakland is one of only seven jurisdictions out of a total of 539 cities and counties in the state to receive the coveted designation. Cities and counties that receive the designation must demonstrate they are promoting climate-smart housing in a variety of ways, including but not limited to: streamlining multifamily housing development, up-zoning in places near jobs and transit to reduce emissions, and creating more affordable homes in places that historically or currently exclude households earning lower incomes and households of color.
Thank you to our professionals, our community, and the voters for earning Oakland this recognition as a housing leader, and we appreciate the partnership with the State of California to address our shared housing crisis.
Press Release
| |
Thank You For Supporting the Mayor's Toy Drive! | |
On Saturday, we were so fortunate to be able to give gifts and holiday cheer to more than 1,300 families at the Mayor's Annual Community Toy Drive. Some special shoutouts to AT&T and Steffanie Reece, the Warriors for volunteering along with Coco Miller, PG&E volunteers, all of our amazing volunteers who made up the Elf Squad. Thank you to everyone who donated and to those who contributed by taking a collection bin, the A’s for their donation, and all who helped our Mayor's Toy Drive make the holidays bright for Oaklanders. Finally, we must mention the local shops who worked with our office to provide the toys! We are grateful to Marcus Books, Cape & Cowl Comics, It’s Your Move, Kelly's Corner, and Montclair Toyhouse! | |
When Holiday Shopping, Think Oakland First! | |
|
Oakland's diverse local businesses, makers, and entrepreneurs are the heart of our creative community and vibrant culture. When it comes time to buy gifts for the holidays, I encourage all Oaklanders toshop where your heart is andThink Oakland First.
Visit ThinkOaklandFirst.com for small business directories and shopping resources to find one-of-a-kind holiday gifts, and to support the businesses that contribute so much to what we love about The Town!
| |
As my eight years as Mayor of Oakland come to an end, one thing I'm most grateful for are the City of Oakland employees—our heroic public servants who work every day to make our City a better and brighter place for our children. I was glad to open my office up to City of Oakland workers and thank them for their service, which has made all the difference in our city. | |
-
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 program runs through January 31st.
-
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.
-
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 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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
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
- The City of Oakland has a variety of job opportunities available. Find a list of postings here.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
AC Transit is hiring bus operators. Jobs start at $22.11/hour after paid training. Learn more about further opportunities here.
-
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.
| | | | |
