National Suicide Prevention Month, Disaster Preparedness Training, And More From 211 Alameda County

Eden I&R

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September 2024 E-Newsletter

National Suicide Prevention Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to break the silence around this important issue. At Eden I&R, we are committed to raising awareness about mental health and sharing vital crisis resources to ensure that help is available for those who need it.

Suicidal thoughts can impact anyone, regardless of background, age, race, religion, or gender. They often arise during periods of stress or health challenges and are a symptom of an underlying issue.

Tragically, stigma and shame often prevent open conversations about suicidal thoughts and the impact of suicide loss. We can all play a role in preventing suicide by normalizing conversations about mental health, encouraging people to seek support, and fostering safe, nonjudgmental spaces for open dialogue.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call, text, or chat 988 immediately (chat available at 988Lifeline.org). 211 Alameda County also has many resources you can access online or by calling 211 for additional support.

Affordable Housing Opportunity: Sequoia Grove

In case you missed it, affordable homeownership opportunities are coming soon! Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley is offering 3- and 4-bedroom affordable townhomes at Sequoia Grove in Hayward.

🔑 Income Requirements: Your income must not exceed 80% AMI for Alameda County to qualify. For example:

3-person household: Max income $108,750
4-person household: Max income $120,800

🎓 Join a Homeowner Orientation: Learn more about this and future opportunities in Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Clara counties. Orientations are held every other month via Zoom. Register here

📅 Next Steps: To qualify for the lottery, complete your pre-application, submit a full application for approval, and attend a homeowner orientation by December 31, 2024. Apply here.

💬 Need Assistance? Translation services are available. Call 510-803-3344 for support.

Clipper START

September is Transit Month, which is an excellent reminder about the Clipper START program! Clipper START is a pilot program that provides single-ride discounts to eligible riders.

Bay Area Rapid Transit, Caltrain, and AC Transit are among the many transit systems participating. Visit clipperstartcard.com to check eligibility, find details, and sign up.

Welcome, Stefanie Taylor!

Eden I&R/211 Alameda County is thrilled to welcome our new Project Manager, Stefanie Taylor, to the team! Stefanie attended the University of North Texas, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree with a concentration in Journalism. She then attended the University of Texas at Dallas, where she received an MBA with a concentration in Project Management. Before joining Eden I&R, Stefanie was a Project Manager working in Corporate Real Estate for ten years with JLL and CBRE.

Stefanie is from Austin, TX, where she currently resides. She enjoys working with her community, as her family hosts yearly food drives and donates to shelters. She likes to try new foods, spend time with family and friends, watch mystery shows, and go on adventures.

211 Alameda County Community News: Prepare U

We’re excited to announce the success of our first in-person Prepare U disaster preparedness training since 2019! The event brought together a diverse and enthusiastic group of participants. Over three days, attendees engaged in interactive sessions focused on enhancing their disaster preparedness skills.

The training fostered a strong sense of camaraderie, with many participants connecting and sharing experiences. The program incorporated a “Train-the-Trainer” aspect, empowering attendees to share their knowledge within their communities. We were also proud to welcome participants from surrounding counties like Solano, Contra Costa, and San Mateo.

A special thank you to ALCO VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters), the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, and the amazing Hayward library staff for helping make this event possible. Prepare U continues to provide vital training to help individuals and communities better prepare for disasters. Stay tuned for future opportunities to join us in building stronger, safer communities!

If you would like 211 Alameda County to host a disaster preparedness training session for your organization, please get in touch with Lars Eric Holm, our Disaster Preparedness Coordinator, at leholm@edenir.org.

Thank You To Our Partners

Partner Spotlight - La Clínica de La Raza

La Clínica was founded in 1971 to address health barriers and create better lives for the underserved. Today, La Clínica is the first choice for providing multi-lingual, accessible, full-scope healthcare services in the East Bay, no matter a patient’s income level or insurance status.

For more information about La Clínica's work, visit their website.

Caller Stories

A woman from Oakland called 211, upset and in crisis. She had experienced a domestic violence situation and wanted to be connected to information on the crisis line and needed assistance. 211 staff referred her to A Safe Place, Bay Area Women Against Rape, and Tri-Valley Haven’s confidential 24-hour crisis lines. Staff also screened her for Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), Extreme Heat, and Kick It CA resources.