Join Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, and Alameda County Public Health’s Medical Director, Dr. Kathleen Clanon for a Vaccine Townhall this Friday, January 29 at 1 pm via Facebook Live. Topics of discussion will include the vaccine’s safety and efficacy and the latest news on distribution phases. RSVP at: fb.me/e/1bbmINClL

211 Alameda County was recently featured on the national public radio broadcast, This American Life. We are grateful to share this window into our world. Listen to the recording to learn more about the challenges our callers and staff face, and the ways we help where we can.

This story is a version of the second episode of According to Need, a 99% Invisible podcast.

Eden I&R seeks a Director of Programs to ensure successful delivery of our programs including 211 Alameda County, After Hours, Disaster Preparedness, Housing, Transportation, and AIDS Housing Information Project (AHIP). The successful candidate will ensure seamless team management and development, program design and evaluation. In this new role, the Director of Programs will manage 5-7 direct reports and be a key decision maker and external representative for Eden I&R. Click here to learn more and apply.

After-Hours/2-1-1 Phone Line Resource Specialist (overnight shift)

Eden I&R seeks an After-Hours/2-1-1 Phone Line Resource Specialist to address 2-1-1 clients’ concerns over the phone and provide needs assessments and referrals. The resource specialist will also take information from after-hours callers to relay to county staff. Click here  to learn more and apply

Covid-19 is widespread in Alameda County. While the Bay Area region recently met the State of California's criteria to exit the Regional Stay at Home Order, it is still important to stay home as much as possible. If you must go out for essential needs, remember to wear a mask, wash hands frequently, and stay at least 6 feet away from others. Alameda County is currently in the Purple Tier of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

Please also add #CANotify to your phone. After you opt in, keep your bluetooth on, and you'll receive alerts if you were in close contact with someone who tests positive for Covid-19. Visit canotify.ca.gov for more information.

In its first two years of operations, Keep Oakland Housed has served nearly 5,000 households that were in a housing crisis and facing eviction, displacement, or imminent homelessness. The program has given out more than $9 million in financial assistance & legal aid to vulnerable households and expanded their services in response to Covid-19. Since Keep Oakland Housed was started in 2018, 211 has referred nearly 2,600 eligible callers to the three partner agencies, BACS, East Bay Community Law Center, and Catholic Charities East Bay. Read the full report at: http://adobe.ly/3bHD591

On January 13th, 211 was spotlighted on the NBC Nightly News as a vital resource for seniors and people in need of information on Covid-19 vaccine availability & eligibility. Click here to watch the broadcast. 211 is mentioned at the 13 minute mark.

We were saddened to learn in late December of the untimely passing of Tom Guarino. Tom was a supportive community member and a strong advocate for 211. He did his best work forging relationships that will have a long-lasting impact around the Bay Area.

Guarino's work for PG&E is what made him a Bay Area icon. Tom built strong relationships with locally elected officials, community leaders, and organizations. However, Tom's philanthropy went beyond his job. Known for his Hawaiian shirt and Crocs, Tom never missed an event that supported the arts, parks, sports, foster youth, elders, and the list goes on. Tom was a tireless advocate for community partners and others. He answered the call, no matter the time. And he wouldn't hesitate to call in favors when someone was in need. Tom didn't know the meaning of can't or no. Tom made things happen. He will be deeply missed.

Once again, 211 played a pivotal role during the holidays for those in need. 211 handled 474 calls requesting information about holiday programs, including food and toys, and provided 775 referrals. Below is one example of a caller 211 assisted with holiday program information:

A Hayward mother with three children called for holiday giveaway referrals. She had faced financial hardships due to Covid-19 and inquired about holiday toy giveaways and food basket resources. 211 provided this caller with information on Family Service’s toy giveaway for children through City Team Ministries. She was also directed to the 211alamedacounty.org website where she could look up seasonal food assistance resources through no-contact food distributors in Hayward and Oakland. 

For more 211 call examples from December, click here.

6,499 conversations handled*

8,281 referrals provided*

*reflects both calls and two-way texts to 211

73% female

27% single mothers with minor children

51% Living with disabilities

4:28 minutes

1:11 minutes

271 agency record updates

507 program record updates

71 units added

1,311 records updated

I talked to was very helpful. I will be calling back." 

In December AHIP completed 210 calls and 7 face-to-face meetings with clients, provided 558 housing referrals and 183 referrals to services. 2 clients were placed in permanent housing, 2 site visits were conducted, and 2 clients were assisted with Coordinated Entry System navigation and document readiness. Since July 1, 2020, AHIP has provided assistance to 231 unduplicated clients.

16 community web-based meetings & calls attended

30,565 website page views

8,502 website sessions/visitors

Partner Spotlight -

The Salvation Army is one of the area's major service providers, reaching out annually to thousands of underprivileged children, senior citizens, families, homeless persons and others in need of its broad based programs. In our community there are people who seldom get enough to eat, families with no place to sleep, and children who get off the school buses and find their homes empty and silent. The Salvation Army addresses those needs in Hayward. For a full a full list of programs and resources provided by the Salvation Army visit: http://www.alamedasalarmy.org/alameda_county/hayward

Donor Spotlight -

Eden I&R is the grateful recipient of an Emergency Support Grant designed specifically for District 2 Community Based Organizations. This grant funding assisted our organization in meeting capacity for increased service needs in response to Covid-19. We thank Supervisor Valle and his team for their ongoing support!