Eden I&R

December 2023 E-Newsletter

How You Can Help Your Neighbors

No one should have to choose between paying rent, having health insurance, or going without food.

Unfortunately, this is the reality for many of our neighbors. With the skyrocketing prices of basic goods, wages simply can't keep up.

So many people—like Steven—never considered asking for assistance before but are now struggling. Fortunately, Eden I&R/211 Alameda County is here to help.

Steven, a single father from San Leandro, had trouble finding a stable, decent-paying job since he lost his job early in the COVID-19 pandemic. His unstable income led to several months' back payment of rent. When Steven called 211 about rental payment assistance, he was worried about losing his family's home. Fortunately, our 211 Community Resource Specialist (CRS) had rental resources, referring Steven to Eden Council for Hope and Opportunity and St. Vincent de Paul. The CRS searched our databases for other potential help, referring Steven to Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (for credit counseling) and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (for banking services support).

Eden I&R/211 Alameda County helps fill the gap for neighbors in need who are especially pinched right now by ensuring those who call have multiple options to turn to for help.

Will you consider making a year-end donation at edenir.org/donate to meet the needs of callers choosing between making rent and feeding their families? Giving today can help make this winter a little easier for our neighbors. Thank you for your ongoing support. We wish you and your families a very happy holiday season!

Give the Gift of Hope

Holiday Giveaways

The Alameda County Social Services Agency has put together a list of organizations throughout the county that collect new, unwrapped toys and gifts and to whom you can donate directly. You can also reach out directly to these organizations if you are in need of holiday help. You can find the full list here.

If you or someone you know needs help this holiday season, whether it's finding toys or food giveaways, please call 211 Alameda County. You can also text us at 898211 Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for assistance.

Find Resources

Support the HELP Act

Did you know that only some states provide funding for their 211 systems? The United Way is working with 211 providers and partners to help provide desperately needed funding to California’s 211 system so that families and individuals can access the resources they need in their communities.

If you’d like to help support the HELP Act, which will provide funding to 211 and 9-8-8 nationwide, check out the advocacy items below:

The United Ways of California budget letter to state leaders to support funding for 211, the precursor to our next iteration of the 211 Infrastructure Act.
The United Ways of California letter to Senator Alex Padilla urging him to support the HELP Act.
Rep. Carbajal’s latest letter calls on the Government Accountability Office (GAO), to complete an independent assessment of the successes and potential improvements available for the nation’s 211 public information system and the services it provides to families across the United States.

Learn More

Emergency Preparedness and Resiliency Survey for Alameda County

The Center for Independent Living’s Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Program Team is collaborating with the World Institute on Disability (WID) to survey people with disabilities in Alameda County . The intention of this survey is to understand people with disabilities’ emergency preparedness, their experiences during emergencies and disasters, and what county or community resources they access, or expect to access. They want to learn what’s working, and what isn’t working. Their goal is to better understand the experiences, needs, and challenges of people with disabilities and how county and community resources can better respond to them.

They will also be holding a series of focus groups and community listening sessions in the near future, which you will have the opportunity to sign up for at the end of the survey.

Take Survey

Volunteers Needed: Point In Time Count 2024

On Thursday, January 25, 2024, from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Alameda County will conduct the bi-annual Point in Time (PIT) Count to capture a “snapshot” of homelessness in our community.

The count includes those who sleep outdoors, in vehicles, tents or makeshift structures, as well as a count of people residing in shelters, transitional housing, and safe parking programs. Data from the 2024 PIT Count is critical to understanding the needs of people experiencing homelessness in Alameda County. To make the 2024 PIT Count a success, thousands of volunteers are needed to complete surveys of households experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

How to get involved in the PIT Count:

Sign up to volunteer at https://alameda24.pointintime.info/
Help spread the word to other potential volunteers by sharing this email.

Volunteer Today

Job & Volunteer Openings

Visit our job portal here to discover new roles.

Volunteers: As an Eden I&R / 2-1-1 Alameda County volunteer, you can help connect people to valuable resources in the community. Get involved.

Board Service: If you are interested in board service, please get in touch with Eden I&R’s Executive Director, Alison DeJung, at adejung@edenir.org. You can learn more about the role here.

Caller Stories

A Spanish-speaking woman called 211 seeking information about holiday toys. The 211 staff member referred her to the Central American Refugee Committee and St. Vincent de Paul. She was also provided information about obtaining Medi-Cal.

AIDS Awareness Month: AIDS Housing Information Project (AHIP) Success Story

In honor of AIDS Awareness Month, we are thrilled to share a recent success story from our AHIP program:

AHIP, in partnership with the East Oakland Community Project (EOCP), helped locate and secure move-in funds for an AHIP client who was homeless along with her two minor siblings and had been approved for a unit. The total move-in cost was $11,000.00, a considerable sum and challenging to secure. This family is now housed as of November 9, 2023.

Congratulations to the AHIP and EOCP programs for their determination to help this client!

Caller Testimonial

"I just wanted to make sure that you knew that your services are very, very helpful and very, very needed."

Thank You to Our Partners

Partner Spotlight - Bonita House

Bonita House, Inc., a private, nonprofit agency founded in 1971, offers services to adults with serious psychiatric challenges and specializes in treatment for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Their continuum of care includes dual diagnosis residential treatment, wellness center day programs, supported independent living, housing, outreach & and engagement, employment services, and mobile crisis response teams throughout Alameda County.

Learn more at their website.

Happy Holidays and Thank You!

This holiday season, team Eden I&R/211 Alameda County wanted to take a moment to express our gratitude to all of our donors and partners. Your support throughout the year has been invaluable in helping us achieve our mission and positively impact our community. We are thankful for your generosity, dedication, and partnership, and we look forward to continuing to work together in the coming year!

www.edenir.org

Donate Now

Eden I&R is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, and your donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

We envision a community empowered with information and connected to resources so that all people obtain health, happiness, hope, and improved livelihoods.