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Libby,
Are you covered? Many uninsured Oaklanders are eligible for low-cost or free healthcare coverage from Covered California, which connects Californians to brand-name health insurance. Now through the end of the year, you can enroll to begin receiving health care benefits on January 1. Find out more at this link, and please share if you know anyone in need of coverage.
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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More Exceptional Oaklanders Receive Keys | |
From left: Mayor Schaaf, Fredrika Newton, Goapele, Tommy Orange, James Syhabout, D'wayne Wiggins | |
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Oakland, California is a place full of talented, inspirational, and passionate people who care deeply for our community. Last Thursday, I recognized these five Oaklanders for their incredible contributions.
James Syhabout: An Oakland chef born in Thailand, James is the son of refugees who followed his passion for food to become the proprietor of Commis, Oakland’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, as well Hawker Bird and Old Kan brewpub.
Fredrika Newton: An activist, artist, community leader, and co-founder of the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation, named for her late husband. Fredrika lifts up the legacy of the Black Panther movement that is so deeply connected to Oakland's identity.
D’wayne Wiggins: An Oakland native, musician, guitarist, composer, Grammy-winner, and president of Youth Aid Non-Profit. As an ambassador of Oakland’s culture + dedicated community leader, D’wayne has nurtured a generation of Oakland artists.
Goapele: An Oakland-born singer, songwriter, producer, actress, and designer. Along with her music and entertainment career, Goapele is a relentless advocate for social change and supporter of criminal justice reform and public health causes.
Tommy Orange: An Oaklander, member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, and author of There There, a story of Indigenous peoples living in Oakland. Our City has and will continue to benefit from Tommy’s thoughtful and powerful writing.
KTVU Article
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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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Public Safety Update: 30 Day Plan, New OPD Class | |
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Following an October gun violence roundtable with Sen. Alex Padilla, Rep. Barbara Lee, and City and community leaders, this week we formally requested that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declare gun violence a national Public Health Emergency. We must do all we can to stop an epidemic of gun violence that's devastating communities in Oakland and across the nation.
Here in Oakland, OPD is extending the City's 30 day strategy to combat gun violence, which includes directing more officers to higher-crime areas and to the investigative division. OPD credits this strategy with reducing shootings by 25% and homicides by 10% since the end of September, compared with the same period last year. In addition, this year OPD has recovered 1,235 firearms, already more recovered than all of 2021.
To continue to make Oakland safe, we need more police officers, and that's why it was great to attend the graduation of the 189th Academy Class of the Oakland Police Department last week. It’s so exciting to see nearly two dozen new officers ready to meet the needs of our community and make our streets safer. To help boost staffing further, the Department of Justice recently awarded OPD more than $1.8 million to hire 15 additional officers through the DOJ’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
KQED: Calling for a Health Emergency | East Bay Times: OPD's 30 Day Plan
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The Mayor's Office is gearing up for the 43rd Annual City of Oakland Community Toy Drive. Soon we will have a link to make a tax-deductible donation, but for now you can sign up to volunteer to help make this holiday season special for every family. Low-income families in Oakland can register for toys here.
For more information, please email oguttierez@oaklandca.gov.
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Día De Los Muertos in Fruitvale | |
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¡Que hermoso día celebrando el Día de Los Muertos en Fruitvale! Gracias a The Unity Council y a todas las demás organizaciones por hacer posible este día.
There's nothing like Día de Los Muertos in Fruitvale. A big thank you to The Unity Council and all organizations that made this event possible. It was an pleasure to present an award to Fire Chief Reginald Freeman for his work from Street Soccer USA, and to join Rep. Barbara Lee and the Mexican Consulate of San Francisco to honor our essential workers whose labor was invaluable during the pandemic!
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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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THROWBACK PHOTO OF THE WEEK | |
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A recent article by Liam O'Donoghue in SFGate discusses how the work of Raymond Cooper (pictured above), a photographer whose work depicts Oakland life in the 1970s, was recently uncovered by a good Samaritan. Check out the article for more fascinating pictures of Oakland in the 70s.
SFGate Article
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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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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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DON'T MISS OUT on the private movie screening of "The Untold Story of Emmett Till". You are cordially invited to watch the Emmett Till movie with the NAACP Oakland Branch and Acts Full Gospel Church on Saturday, November 5th, 12:00 noon at the Grand Lake Theater. Never-before-seen testimony is included in this movie documentary based on the true story of Emmett Till, who, in 1955, was brutally murdered after he whistled at a white woman. Purchase your ticket(s) in advance, by contacting one of the following individuals:
Cynthia Adams, 510-219-3840
Elder Corey Vason, 510-717-9301
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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.
- 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:
- Proposals are Due 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
- 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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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!
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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.
- 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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