March 24, 2022
Dear Friend,

Good morning, Oakland. Before heading off on spring break, students and families can get COVID vaccines at one of 17 school-based vaccine clinics in Oakland. And if you're a parent wondering how best to talk to your child about the vaccine, check out this excellent free training course from Johns Hopkins. Vaccines are safe, effective, and are the key to us emerging from the pandemic with a healthy community.

Welcome to the Mayor’s Weekly Briefing, your weekly Oakland news roundup. Please forward this to a friend. They may subscribe here.

In community,
—Libby
MAYOR LIBBY SCHAAF
Restoring and Improving Oakland Ceasefire
On Tuesday, I joined Oakland Police officials and faith and community leaders to announce that Oakland Ceasefire has returned to full operation with increased services.

For years, Oakland has been committed to Ceasefire as the primary way of addressing gun violence in this city. Ceasefire relies on relentless communication and outreach to those in our communities who are at the highest risk of being involved in gun violence. This is followed by an offer of services, resources, and life coaches. Enforcement is used only as a last resort. But the incredible progress brought about by this program was stalled during the pandemic.

Now, we are doubling down on the strategy of violence prevention and interruption. We will be increasing the Department of Violence Prevention's Ceasefire staffing to levels even higher than before the pandemic, boosting community outreach, and providing more services and resources. Oakland Police will soon be able to fully staff their Ceasefire unit. The heartbreaking loss of life, the harm, and the trauma that Oakland families endure as a result of gun violence is wholly unacceptable, and we believe that this holistic strategy will help bring peace and safety to our community.

Oakland Names New Homelessness Administrator
Image via City of Oakland
Last week, the City of Oakland announced the appointment of Daniel A. Cooper, MPH as the City's new Homelessness Administrator. Daniel has more than 10 years of experiences as a public health professional, and his work has focused on addressing the social determinants of health through housing, homelessness, and public policy.

Homelessness is our society's great moral injustice and it is vital that we approach this issue with clarity, compassion, and empathy. We are excited to welcome Daniel to Oakland to do just that. Let's get to work!
Oakland Restaurant Week Munches On!
Image via Visit Oakland
Oakland Restaurant Week continues through Sunday, so be sure to get out there this weekend, support our unique culture-keepers, and enjoy the unique and delicious food that Oakland has to offer. What restaurants have you visited?
SOS Meals on Wheels: Urgent Need for Volunteers
SOS Meals on Wheels needs your help. Every day, they deliver 1,800 chilled nutritious meals prepared in their own kitchen to the seniors in Oakland, Hayward, Castro Valley, San Leandro, and San Lorenzo. Since the height of the pandemic, volunteer numbers are down over 45%, while the number of clients and meals served has gone down by only 15%. SOS Meals on Wheels is now in dire need of immediate and sustained support from our community to avoid placing current clients on a waiting list.

When you volunteer with SOS Meals on Wheels you are giving more than a meal, but a moment of companionship and connection for our isolated and homebound seniors. Volunteer meal delivery drivers commit 2-3 hours (in the 9am-1pm window) one morning weekday each week to deliver chilled meals to homebound seniors. You must be at least 18 years of age, have access to your own vehicle, and be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.

To get involved, please contact:

Victoria Mariolle, Volunteer Program Manager (510) 582-1263 ext. 147 | victoria@sosmow.org

Cynthia Arrington, Volunteer Program Coordinator (510) 582-1263 ext. 115 | cynthia@sosmow.org
Youth BART Riders Engage and Innovate
A group of dedicated young BART riders are collaborating on social media to improve service and ease-of-use. And BART is listening. What began as a Tweet about BART station signage has turned into an extended online discussion about what riders want out of public transit. Young people are the future, and conversations like these that come from dedicated young BART riders can help get Oakland moving in a way that is accessible, sustainable, and convenient!
The City of Oakland requires proof of vaccination for people 12 years and older to enter indoor public spaces such as restaurants, cafes, bars, theaters, gyms, concert venues, and museums. This is an important step that underscores how vital it is that Oaklanders get vaccinated and boosted. If you'd prefer not to carry around your paper vaccination card, get a digital copy of your COVID-19 vaccine record here.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Gondolas are (almost) back! Dolce Vita Gondolas will soon be offering cruises at Lake Merritt, but until then, enjoy this great shot from Oakland photographer Carla Hernández Ramírez.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Image via Twitter
I had the chance to talk to fellow born-and-raised Oaklander Juan Toscano-Anderson last week about keeping the A's in the Town, and I told him that we're making it happen. If you have three minutes, watch JTA speak on what the A's mean to him and our community, and why he wants them to stay #RootedInOakland.
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND RESOURCES
  • The Bay Area Mural Program (BAMP) is going to create a mural at Mosswood Park on the outside Field House/Restrooms. Everyone is invited to share ideas and collaborate on the project in a series of four workshops.  The first workshop will be IN PERSON at Mosswood on Saturday, March 26 from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. It will be a day of tree-planting as well as the Kick-Off for the Mural Project.  The remaining three workshops will be by Zoom on April 8, April 22 and May 6.

  • If you are eligible for the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit, go get that money! Most families will receive $3,000 per child ages 6-17 and $3,600 per child under 6 as a result of the increased 2021 Child Tax Credit. Please visit ChildTaxCredit.gov to see if you're eligible and claim what you are entitled to.

  • 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.

  • Help shape Oakland's General Plan Update by participating in our upcoming community meetings. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for all Oaklanders to create a visionary blueprint together for the future of our City. Find meeting times here.

  • New laws for 2022 make it easier to create more housing in Oakland! Single-family homeowners may now build more homes or split their lots with more homes, and owners of RVs may now occupy these "vehicular residences" with special permits. Learn more.

  • REMINDER: Even though the federal moratorium has ended, Oakland's eviction moratorium remains in place. Find rental resources here.

OPPORTUNITIES


  • The East Bay Regional Park District is hiring 50 new lifeguards for the 2022 swim season at its 10 East Bay swim facilities. All new lifeguard positions are seasonal, full-time positions from May through September. Apply by April 23!

  • 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

  • Civicorps, an incredible workforce development organization based in West Oakland, offers paid job training for young adults age 18-26. No experience necessary, and a high school diploma completion program is available for those who need it. Find more info about Civicorps opportunities at this link.
 
  • 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.

  • The City of Oakland is looking for qualified applicants to fill positions in our Planning & Building Department. Work with our experienced staff in the Strategic Planning or Zoning Divisions or our Digital Unit. Learn more and apply here.


  • Was your New Year's resolution to find a new job? 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.


  • The Youth Beat Multimedia Apprentice program, launching in 2022, is currently recruiting BIPOC young adults who are NOT currently on a 4-year college track but who are ready to dive into a career in media. Apprentices will gain access to professional tools, skills, and mentors they need to pursue a fulfilling career in the film and media industry. Apply here!

  • 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.