Dear residents,

I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who contributed their ideas to enhance public safety in District 6 and Oakland. Your voices matter, and we hear you. Over the last three months, we have actively sought your input, and I am eager to delve into these suggestions further at the upcoming town halls and listening sessions.

In this collaborative effort, over 60 constituents have shared their insights, contributing to a robust dialogue on how we can collectively work towards a safer and thriving District. Take a moment to review some of the impactful ideas we've received from you. We look forward to continuing this important conversation and appreciate your ongoing engagement.

• 10% Illegal Dumping -- Install better lighting and camera monitoring systems to aid in the arrest of illegal dumpers and prosecution for dumping activities.

• 10% Community Engagement -- Implement intervention programs for at-risk youth and engage the community through neighborhood clean-up events to foster a sense of pride.

• 10% License Plate Readers -- Deploy tech tools, such as license plate readers and drones, to collect data on stolen vehicles and criminal activities.

• 10% Infrastructure & Business -- Tackle ongoing and uncontrolled crime to retain businesses in the community.

• 20% Police Presence -- Increase police visibility with officers patrolling neighborhoods, responding to emergencies, and engaging in community outreach.

• 40% Traffic Enforcement -- Implement stricter enforcement for speeding, reckless driving, DUI checkpoints, sideshows, and enhance road maintenance.

In Service to You,

Council member Kevin Jenkins

Your Public Safety Ideas Rock!

Big thanks to Andrew Dadko for sharing fantastic ideas on enhancing safety! Andrew's suggestions on resources, youth programs, and simpler police reporting are game-changers. Andrew's 19-year connection and HR expertise bring a unique and valuable perspective. I totally resonate with Andrew's appreciation for Oakland's diverse cultures, birds, dining, and the convenience of being just a short trip away from the beach, redwoods, and mountains. Here's to creating a safer and more vibrant community!

It's fantastic to see residents like Andrew actively contributing to make Oakland a safer and better place. Please continue to send my office your brilliant ideas on how we can improve our community safety, together. As a little token of our appreciation, how about a chance to score tickets to a happening event at the Oakland Coliseum or Oracle Arena? Just fill out the form, and you're in the running!

In Service to You,

Council member Kevin Jenkins

Oakland Launches Micro Business Support Program for Immigrant Communities

Media Contact: 

Jean Walsh

Oakland Public Information Office

OaklandPIO@oaklandca.gov

Oakland, CA – The City of Oakland's Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD) is launching a new Immigrant Micro Business Support Program in partnership with The Unity Council and Feed the Hunger Fund, thanks to funding received via the Local Immigrant Integration and Inclusion Grant (LIIIG) of $275,000 from California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GoBiz).

With this grant funding, EWDD, The Unity Council and Feed the Hunger Fund have launched a specially targeted program for immigrant start-up businesses that provides culturally and linguistically competent business assistance to ensure these businesses launch and succeed. This new Immigrant Micro Business Support Program provides workshops, financial coaching and low-cost financing to Oakland’s micro-enterprise and small businesses, with a focus on serving immigrant and women owned businesses, that build upon existing programs and small business services to build a more resilient and inclusive business community in Oakland. 

"We know small businesses are the backbone of the economy, and we are so grateful for this State grant that will enable us to support to Oakland's immigrant entrepreneurs," said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. "Together with our Neighborhood Business Assistance Program, Façade and Tenant Improvement Grants, and Activate Oakland, this new program will help small businesses have the tools and support they need to thrive." 

“We are proud and excited that for the first time we will be allowed to use state funding to provide business assistance to entrepreneurs, regardless of immigration status,” said Sofia Navarro, Interim Director of Oakland’s Economic and Workforce Development Department. “Focusing on supporting start-up businesses will not only help build our local economy but also help our immigrant entrepreneurs, who have not been well served in the past due to federal grant restrictions.” 

“In 2024, thanks to the generous support of the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development and the Citi Foundation, Feed The Hunger Fund will be able to provide nearly $50,000 in grants to Mobile Food Vendors in the San Francisco East Bay,” said Meche Sansores, Senior Loan Officer, Feed the Hunger Fund. “These grants will be paired with $250,000 in FTHF loan capital to qualified vendors.” 

“We look forward to continuing our work partnership with the City of Oakland. This opportunity will allow us to serve the hard-to-reach immigrant entrepreneur population and our ethnic enclave commercial corridors," said Tiffany Lacsado, Director of Economic Development, The Unity Council. 

For more info, visit Oakland's Economic & Workforce Development webpage.

This summer the Port of Oakland will be offering college students the opportunity to gain insightful work experience in departments from within our offices, aviation and maritime. The application is now live and will close on February 23, 2024, 5pm PST.