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Libby,
On Tuesday, President Joe Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act into law. At a time when fundamental freedoms are threatened by a reactionary Supreme Court, this bipartisan bill protects and affirms what we know is right—that regardless of race or gender, everyone can marry who they love.
Welcome to the Mayor’s Weekly Briefing, your weekly Oakland news roundup. You can read, subscribe, and catch up on past newsletters at our newsletter homepage on the City of Oakland website.
In community,
—Libby
MAYOR LIBBY SCHAAF
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An Excellent (and Rainy) Climate Action Day | |
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Saturday was Climate Action Day in Oakland as well as our Arbor Day – and it was great weather for planting a tree! Oakland is a City of Service, a community dedicated to serving others and building purpose and leadership among our young people. A huge thanks to all of the hundreds of volunteers who joined, and to California Volunteers for the partnership.
Together with Governor Gavin Newsom and the Green Job Corps, we've launched Oakland Forward, a year-round employment program that funds community members to clean and green our neighborhoods while opening pathways to public service careers. Some of these projects began during Climate Action Day. We look forward to the seed of volunteerism blossoming into a renewed spirit of service across our communities!
Oakland Community Climate Action Day | Oakland Forward
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Unveiling Too $hort Way in East Oakland | |
We had an incredible day unveiling Too $hort Way on Foothill Blvd, and celebrating Too $hort's extensive legacy and influence with some fellow legends of the hip-hop community including Mistah F.A.B, Sway, and Ice Cube! A pioneer of West Coast hip-hop, Too $hort raps with authenticity and honesty in telling his own story and the story of Oakland, and in the process he has helped elevate our city as a center of hip-hop and arts culture. | |
Oakland Finalizes Rematriation of Land | |
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This week, we made it official by signing paperwork to return five acres of City land to its original stewards. Through determination, years of hard work, and some creative bureaucracy, the City of Oakland was able to convey control of this land to the Indigenous community represented by the Sogorea Te’ Land Trust. We hope the work we are doing in Oakland with the land trust can serve as a model for how other cities in California and across the country can give #LandBack to Indigenous communities.
Oaklandside Article | Sogorea Te' Land Trust
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Oakland Education Survey
The City of Oakland is collecting residents' feedback in order to ensure that we are meeting the needs of the community. Please take a moment to fill out this short survey, with all responses confidential:
Take the survey here.
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When Holiday Shopping, Think Oakland First! | |
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Oakland's diverse local businesses, makers, and entrepreneurs are the heart of our creative community and vibrant culture. When it comes time to buy gifts for the holidays, I encourage all Oaklanders toshop where your heart is andThink Oakland First.
Visit ThinkOaklandFirst.com for small business directories and shopping resources to find one-of-a-kind holiday gifts, and to support the businesses that contribute so much to what we love about The Town!
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Have you heard about Oakland’s new housing plan? It’s happening now! The City's updating what’s called a ‘General Plan Housing Element’ — Oakland’s blueprint for how we can meet everyone’s housing needs by 2031. The Planning Department is accepting comments on the final draft of the plan until December 29.
The Housing Element is one of the required elements of the General Plan. It will identify policy direction to meet the housing needs of the City, both by preserving existing homes and by ensuring the conditions are ripe for new construction. The plan will include an overview of housing policies and programs and will identify locations that can accommodate future housing, including through zoning changes. The Housing Element was last updated in 2015 and is now being updated with public input to reflect the recent housing opportunities, challenges, and approaches that have emerged in the Oakland community, as well as to comply with new state laws.
Oakland 2023-2031 Housing Element Update
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If you are a business owner or a commercial property owner, the Façade and Tenant Improvement Programs (FTIP) can help you enhance the appearance of your commercial building to reduce blight and encourage economic development. Grants are used for approved exterior and interior renovations to commercial and mixed-use properties. The relaunched program expands eligibility citywide and makes several changes that aim to reduce barriers small businesses have faced in accessing the program. The application window for the program runs through January 31st.
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The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) invites you to apply for the 2023 Summer Learning Awards. Each year, the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) recognizes programs that provide high quality summer learning opportunities to young people in communities across the nation. Program candidates for the Summer Learning Awards demonstrate excellence in accelerating academic achievement and promoting healthy development for low income children and youth between pre-kindergarten and twelfth grade. Think your program has what it takes to be recognized as a national leader? Apply today! Applications must be submitted by December 16, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. E.T.
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Observed each year on the third Monday in January, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King and improve their communities. Interested in hosting an MLK Day of Service project? Join AmeriCorps for these informative webinars about planning and promoting your service projects.
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Oakland’s Housing and Community Development Department released their 2021 Impact Report detailing their strategies and investments around housing protection, preservation, and production. Visit this link to view the full report.
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Oakland’s Accessory Dwelling Unit Loan Program (ADULP) provides financing and technical assistance to low-income homeowners to convert an existing unpermitted secondary unit into a legal Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU). The Program will provide a low interest deferred payment construction loan of up to $100,000 per household, along with guidance with design development and the competitive construction bidding process. Priority Application Deadline is December 1st, 2022. Applications will be accepted to the waitlist until February 1st, 2023.
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The Bay Area Mural Program is a non-profit "turning bare, blighted walls into artistic community landmarks." Many of the Oakland's murals have come to life through BAMP. Check out their website here, where you can also schedule a free Downtown Oakland Mural Tour and get an insider's perspective on some of the stories behind Oakland's street art and the artists who created them.
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Clear the drain before the rain! Residents and businesses can help minimize flooding in their neighborhood by volunteering with the City’s Adopt-A-Drain program to keep a storm drain near their home or business free of debris. By signing up, you will receive storm notification emails before large storm events, and the City can provide rakes, brooms, dust pans, bags and other supplies. To sign up, visit this link or call (510) 238-7630.
- Visit Oakland has launched the Oakland Vegan Trail, an online gastronomic guide that boasts 20+ plant-based restaurants found in The Town. The Oakland Vegan Trail map includes an overview of each restaurant, with menu highlights, location, and contact information.
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The Sam Taylor Foundation is a Bay Area nonprofit that promotes emotional well-being and prevents suicide for our community’s teens and young adults, giving them the skills and support they need to thrive today…and tomorrow. Donate here.
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Oakland’s Tool Lending Library has all kinds of tools including circular saws, gardening tools, hammers, and screwdrivers available to be checked out, just like a book! The Tool Lending Library is located at 5205 Telegraph Avenue, and open every day but Sunday.
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Seniors and people living with physical challenges can purchase TaxiScrip books at a discount. Participants arrange their own rides by calling a taxi company in contract with the City of Oakland. For more information, call 510-238-3036 and leave a message, or check online at the City's website.
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ICAC’s Safe Car Park Program aims to provide safe overnight parking for individuals & families living out of their cars. Washing station, showers & laundry services Wednesdays from 4pm to 8pm & access to care packages, minor auto repair, ticket, and DMV registration support. For general information on ICAC or on the Safe Car Park Program, visit interfaithac.org or call (510) 239-8832
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Children Rising is looking for volunteer reading and math tutors to help elementary school children in Oakland area schools for the 2022-2023 school year. No experience is necessary; we supply training and teaching materials. Our tutors work one-on-one with students below grade level in reading and math. The time commitment is 2 hours every week during school hours as a part of a supported, onsite tutor team. Learn More or Apply Now.
- The City’s Economic & Workforce Development Department has launched a permanent business support program in Oakland’s neighborhoods. The Neighborhood Business Assistance program has added a sixth location and opened appointment dates for Oakland entrepreneurs and business owners to get advice and support. Appointments can be booked online at this link or by calling (510) 238-7398.
- REMINDER: Even though the federal moratorium has ended, Oakland's eviction moratorium remains in place. Find rental resources here.
OPPORTUNITIES
- The City of Oakland has a variety of job opportunities available. Find a list of postings here.
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Public Ethics Commission: The Public Ethics Commission is an independent commission made up of Oakland residents and charged with ensuring fairness, openness, honesty and integrity in Oakland City government. The Commission trained almost 800 city staff and elected officials on government ethics requirements in 2021. Apply to be a Commissioner and help lead the Public Ethics Commission to an even greater impact! Find more info and apply here.
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Waste Management of Alameda County has created an Oakland Talent Advisor position and is currently looking to fill the role. This position will focus on recruiting Oakland residents for jobs at WMAC and if desired other WM locations in the Bay Area. The Oakland Talent Advisor will be based at WM's office on 98th Avenue and ideally will be filled by an Oakland resident. Anyone interested in the position can contact Louis Ramirez, Area Director for People at lramire3@wm.com or 214-626-8803.
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Men of Color! Be a mirror for young kings to read, write, and discover. Change the face of education! Sign up to be an Early Literacy Tutor here. These are paid positions with benefits and professional development opportunities.
- Interested in serving your city and contributing to a holistic, comprehensive, vision of public safety? Consider a career with Oakland Police Department at opdjobs.com
- Oakland Unified School District is hiring for a variety of roles! Find out more at the OUSD Jobs Portal.
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AC Transit is hiring bus operators. Jobs start at $22.11/hour after paid training. Learn more about further opportunities here.
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The County of Alameda recently announced the investment of $4 million to the local Early Care and Education system for existing infrastructure needs and capacity building of the field. One-time grants will be awarded to eligible licensed Family Child Care (FCC) and Center-based programs in Alameda County. Visit the website to learn about grant eligibility, award levels, and apply!
- Oakland residents have access to 5,000 free online courses in multiple languages to help advance your career of prepare to return to work. Learn more here.
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