February 2023 E-Newsletter | |
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Remembering Supervisor Richard Valle
We are deeply saddened by the recent loss of Alameda County Supervisor Richard Valle. Supervisor Valle was appointed to the Board of Supervisors in 2012, representing District 2, and was elected three times to this position, most recently in June 2022.
He courageously served his country in the Vietnam War in 1970 and had been committed to public service since then. Supervisor Valle’s kindness, compassion, and dedication were evident in everything he did. He was a champion for the community and those organizations serving the people of his district, including Eden I&R. He will be sorely missed. We extend our sincere condolences to the Valle family.
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New Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen and Expand 211 Services in California
Earlier this month, State Senators Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh and Richard Roth introduced their new bipartisan legislation, SB 318, "The 211 Infrastructure Act". This bill will support 211 providers across CA for all of our communities. Assemblymembers Joaquin Arambula and Jim Patterson join the members as co-authors.
The bill would create a $20M grant program to help support, scale, and innovate 211 services. Help us make 211 a priority investment for California to advance equity and reduce poverty. Please take a moment to sign the letter urging the legislature to support 211 today.
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Honoring Black History Month
It's Black History Month! This February and throughout the year, we celebrate the history and the significant accomplishments of black men and women, both past and present. It's also a time for us to reflect on how we can support and uplift the Black community. The Mercury News put together a robust event list of the many ways you can honor and celebrate Black History Month throughout the Bay.
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Disaster Recovery Centers Available in Alameda County
Alameda County residents impacted by winter storms may now apply for FEMA funding. Residents can apply online, by phone, or at two in-person sites now open in Oakland & Dublin. The deadline for homeowners or renters to apply is March 16, 2023, and residents should use the disaster incident number DR-4683-CA when applying.
Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs as well as other serious disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses, transportation, childcare, and moving and storage expenses. Head to DisasterAssistance.gov to learn more.
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California Earned Income Tax Credit (#CalEITC) & Free Tax Preparation
The California Earned Income Tax Credit is an annual cash-back refund available to eligible tax filers making between $1-$30,000. Californians simply have to file their CA state tax return to claim it. Go to MyFreeTaxes.org or text TAXES to 211-211 to get started on filing your taxes for free!
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Recognizing 211 Day
Each February 11, we celebrate "211 Day" to spread the word about our services and the work of our 211 Community Resource Specialists. This year, we sent out a press release highlighting the importance of 211 Alameda County and shared quotes from community members on what they value most about Team 211.
We loved celebrating our 211 staff and hope that you will help support us by continuing to share 211's resources. As a reminder of how life-saving 211 can be, we share a video from our partners at 211 LA. They released the inspiring video story of Iraq War Veteran Lewis Jackson. Though Jackson lives in LA, his 211 story is universal. For Lewis Jackson, 211 LA is not just an organization for information and resources.
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Welcome Tiffany Major to the Eden I&R Team
Tiffany became Eden I&R’s first Director of Institutional Advancement in January 2023. In this role, Tiffany will lead and manage the revenue generation for the agency through grants, contracts, donations, and sponsorships. She will also support the reporting and financial functions related to revenue generation, as well as provide oversight for marketing and public relations.
Before her hire, Tiffany provided proposal and report writing, grant management, and fund development support to Eden I&R for three years through Susan Kleinman Wallis Consulting LLC. Beyond her consulting work, Tiffany has professional experience as a Data Director, Grant Project Manager, and Grant Writer.
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Job & Volunteer Opportunities
Community Resource Specialist (CRS): Under the direct supervision of the 211 Contact Center Manager, the CRS will address clients' concerns over the phone and through text and provide needs
assessment and referral. Apply here.
Director of Finance and Administration: As a key member of the leadership team, the Director of Finance and Administration will apply organizational values and equity and inclusion principles to create effective processes and structures across the organization. Apply here.
Junior Program Manager (Housing Portal): Under the supervision of the Senior Program Manager, the Junior Program Manager will focus on user support and provide day-to-day coordination of portal maintenance. Apply here.
Senior Accountant: The Senior Accountant will be responsible for overseeing the contracts and grants invoicing, accounts payable, reconciliations, and financial statements. This position reports to the Director of Finance and Administration and supervises the Bookkeeper. Apply here.
Volunteers: As an Eden I&R / 211 Alameda County volunteer, you can help connect people to valuable resources in the community. Get involved.
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Join Our Board
Please share - Eden I&R is seeking new members for its Board of Directors! The Board of Directors provides oversight and counsel on planning and policy development, financial oversight, and resource development.
Women, minorities, people with disabilities, veterans, people impacted by the justice system, and other candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to reach out about this opportunity! If you are interested in board service, please contact Eden I&R’s Executive Director, Alison DeJung, at adejung@edenir.org.
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Leadership Team Attends Kick It California Conference
Eden I&R/211 Alameda County leadership team members Alison DeJung and Gitanjali Rawat headed to San Diego earlier this month for the Kick It California Collaborative Conference. They had a great time connecting with other 211s from around the state and learning about the positive impact this partnership is having on the health of Californians.
211 Alameda County partners with Kick It California (formerly California Smokers’ Helpline) to connect individuals to their free program that helps Californians kick smoking, vaping, and smokeless tobacco with the help of proven science-based strategies. Kick It California's Quit Coaches provide free, non-judgmental quit support in six languages. Learn more at Kickitca.org.
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A niece in Castro Valley called looking for resources for her 87-year-old aunt. The senior woman is almost completely blind and stays home all day. She needed help with daily activities like bathing or going out for a walk and was also in need of transportation assistance. Senior In-Home Supportive Services was provided to help her with daily activities, and Area Agency on Aging was provided to help with independent living skills. Lastly, she was transferred to 211’s transportation department for ride assistance.
Read more 211 call examples.
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211 By the Numbers - January 2023 | |
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Average Call Length:
6:27 minutes
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Average Wait Time:
1:41 minutes
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Services Database:
196 agency record updates
237 program record updates
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Housing Database:
650 units added
1,930 records updated
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Website page views:
49,412
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Website Sessions/visitors:
13,431
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AHIP (AIDS Housing Information Project) | |
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AHIP (AIDS Housing Information Project) offers housing and human services resource referrals to People Living with HIV/AIDS via a designated phone line and through one-on-one, in-person assistance at clinics and AIDS Service Organizations.
Last month, AHIP provided 35 housing referrals and 10 referrals to services. Year to date, AHIP has provided assistance to 3 unduplicated clients.
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"211 has never failed me. People need assistance and don't know where to look."
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Thank You to Our Donors & Partners | |
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Donor Spotlight - United Way Bay Area
Thank you to United Way Bay Area for their recent grant to Eden I&R to conduct Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and free tax preparation outreach. With early roots among the nation’s first community chests, incorporated in 1922, United Way Bay Area has a rich history of bringing together individuals, nonprofits, businesses, and government entities to fight for a strong, vibrant, and healthy community. Learn more about United Way Bay Area here.
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Partner Spotlight - African American Museum and Library at Oakland
The Oakland Public Library's African American Museum and Library is dedicated to the discovery, preservation, and sharing of historical and cultural experiences of African Americans in California. The reference library supports the archives and museum. It is a unique jewel for researchers, students, and anyone interested in African American history. They host tours and other events throughout the month. Learn more.
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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.
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