City of Fremont Human Services Department Weekly Update

Weekly Updates

March 2, 2022

Human Services Reopening

Human Services, 3300 Capitol Ave, Building B will reopen on Monday, March 8th. Most services are by appointment only.

Please visit our website for the most up-to-date information.

Human Services: 510-574-2050 or humanservicesinfo@fremont.gov

Virtual Student Art Contest 2022

To celebrate the art, creativity, and resiliency of Fremont students, the City of Fremont Human Services Department, Youth and Family Services Division in partnership with Fremont Unified School District, is hosting the fifth annual Children Mental Health Awareness Art Competition and Exhibition.

The theme this year is “My Courage & Strength”. Students living in Fremont and attending FUSD schools are encouraged to submit art, photographs, poetry, and digital work including spoken word performance, podcasts and short films.

The Youth and Family Services Division is accepting digital submissions now through Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at noon. Click here for complete information about who qualifies and how to submit work.

Homelessness Report

Recently the California Budget & Policy Center published Who is Experiencing Homelessness in California?, a report detailing five facts about how people in California experience homelessness.

If you'd like to learn more about this report, click here.

Volunteer Senior Peer Counselors Needed

The Tri-Cities Senior Peer Counseling Program is seeking warm and compassionate volunteers to assist seniors in our community. We are looking for people at least 50 years of age and older to participate in a 20-hour training. There are no educational requirements - we believe life has been your teacher. Click here for more information on this program.

Contact Ahmad Tarin, AMFT, to sign up now.

Rent Review Board Openings

Are you interested in serving the Fremont Community? Consider applying for the Rent Review Board.

The purpose of the Rent Review Board is to evaluate the reasonableness of proposed rent increases at the request of either a landlord or tenant pursuant to the Rent Review Program set forth in Fremont Municipal Code Chapter 9.60.

Apply here now!

California Mortgage Relief Program

Project Sentinel is providing free counseling about California’s new Mortgage Relief program for distressed homeowners who may have fallen behind on their mortgage because of COVID. Their counseling program assists with how to apply for relief and what documentation to prepare. Project Sentinel also provides homeowners free financial counseling as part of our Foreclosure Prevention, Mortgage Default, and Delinquency Counseling program. This program helps homeowners stabilize finances and rectify their debt.

Homeowners can call or email the Project Sentinel Housing Counseling Program: 888-683-0670 or 408-470-3730 or homeownershipinfo@housing.org. Click here to download the flyer.

Project Sentinel is a HUD Certified Housing Counseling Agency. Our HUD Certified Housing Counselors can also help with post-purchase counseling, pre-purchase counseling, and reverse mortgage counseling.

VITA Virtual Tax Service Now Open

Why pay for tax prep when our expert volunteer tax preparers can do them for free?

Our free tax service VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is now available! Due to COVID-19 and for the safety of all involved, our tax service is 100% virtual this year.

SparkPoint Fremont operates one of the largest free tax programs in the Bay Area, and this is our 20th year of tax services, so we have a very experienced team. The IRS certifies all volunteer tax preparers and closely monitors all free tax sites. Our VITA site regularly earns the highest marks for quality and accuracy.

Download the flyer with complete information in English, Spanish, and Chinese. For more information, visit Fremont VITA | Free Tax Preparation.

Affordable Home Renovations

Affordable Home Renovations with Renew Alameda County Renew Alameda County helps homeowners make renovations necessary to stay, grow, and thrive in their homes. Renew AC can make home improvement plans come to life - without breaking the bank. Renew AC provides 1% interest loans from $15,000 to $150,000 to qualified homeowners. Simple interest is accrued annually, with total interest never to exceed 50% of amount borrowed, and payments are deferred until the home is sold. Renew AC is for low-income homeowners who live in Alameda County.

For program requirements and more information, visit the Renew AC website or view the program flyer here.

Renew AC is administered by Alameda County and operated by Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley. All inquiries will be handled directly by Habitat staff.

Age Well Center at South Fremont Offerings

Legal Assistance for Seniors Presentation

Financial Assistance with Health Care Costs

Thursday, March 10, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m Small Activity Room

Do you need help with health care costs? Do you know the difference between Medicare and Medi-Cal? Attend this presentation to learn if you might be eligible for financial assistance with your health care costs. The presenter will provide an overview of Medi-Cal and Medicare Savings Programs, including the Low-Income Subsidy (Extra Help) for prescription drugs. Register today!

Heartfulness Meditation

Thursdays, 10 - 11 a.m.

Large Activity Room

Heartfulness is a heart-centered approach to life where you live each moment by the heart. Its’ focus is to live naturally in tune with the qualities of a heart enlightened and refined through spiritual practices (mediation). The teaching consists of breathing affirmations, guided relaxation, centering the mind in the area of the heart, and meditating on it to experience the joy of love and light. The instructor, Dr. Sunderrajan, is trained meditation teacher and has been teaching for many years. Register now.

Email Martha with questions about classes at the Age Well Center at South Fremont.

Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth Offerings

Android Phone Training

Thursday, March 3

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Do you want to become more knowledgeable about all the features your Android phone has?

Having difficulty hearing or seeing on your phone?

Attend a FREE online training and make your Android phone work better for you. Zoom link will be emailed to you prior to the class. Register here.

AWC Dance

Thursday March 3

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Wing A - $5 per person

March 3: The Magic Notes

Dust off those dancing shoes, spend some time with your peers and enjoy some live music! Join the AWC for a dancing good time.

Mask required. Cash payable at the door.

Email Nick with questions about classes at the Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth.

Age Friendly Fremont March Edition

Parent Support Group

A Free Virtual Support Group for Parents and Caregivers of Youth

Youth and Family Services has developed a support group to address and explore the ways in which COVID-19 has impacted families. This is a safe and confidential space to share.

These groups can provide:

Stress relief for parents and caregivers
Exploration of strategies for limit setting and addressing challenging behaviors
Identifying ways to improve communication between family members.

Upcoming March Support Groups

Tuesday, 3/15/22 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. (English)
Wednesday, 3/16/2022 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. (Spanish)

Download the flyer with complete information in English and Spanish.

Important Information

Broadband Internet Discount

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has implemented the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program which is intended to help families and households struggling to afford Internet access during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For information and to apply, visit: https://getemergencybroadband.org.

Help on Tap - Alameda County Water District Customer Assistance Program

Help on Tap customer assistance program provides qualifying single-family residential accounts a $35.00 credit on their bi-monthly water service charge. Applies upon approval of your application.

For complete information, including how to qualify, download the application here , or visit their website https://www.acwd.org/567/Help-on-Tap-Program

Help for Energy Bills

East Bay Community Energy has launched a set of Energy Bill Payment Assistance web pages. They are designed to help you better understand what programs are available and the eligibility requirements. You can enroll in the program that is right for you.

To see which program is right for you, visit: https://ebce.org/paying-bills/

Assistance for COVID-19 Related Funeral Expenses

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.

Click here on FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance for guidance and eligibility requirements and types of services funded. Instructions on how to apply for this assistance through FEMA's dedicated helpline at 1-844-684-6333 can also be found on the website.