June 23, 2022
Dear Friend,

The COVID-19 vaccine is now available for kids 6 months old and up, a move authorized by the FDA and recommended by the CDC. The Alameda County Public Health Dept. recommends that the best place to get a shot is at your child’s pediatrician’s office. To see the CDC's current vaccine guidelines, or to check you or your child's eligibility, consult the CDC website. Oaklanders can also visit MyTurn to schedule an initial shot or booster. Vaccines are safe, effective, and they save lives!

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 solidarity,
—Libby
MAYOR LIBBY SCHAAF
Talking Howard Terminal on A's Pregame Live
Image via Brodie Brazil
Step by step. Last Friday, I joined NBC Bay Area's Brodie Brazil before the A's game for a half-hour interview on Howard Terminal. We talked about the current status of the project, next steps, and answered some frequently asked questions. Next up for the ballpark project is a big June 30 vote by the Bay Conservation and Development Commission. If you want to see the Oakland A's stay rooted in Oakland, as well as a project that will create 7,000 good union jobs, more than 1,000 units of affordable housing, and 18 acres of waterfront public parks, please attend the meeting virtually, register your comment, and make your voice heard!

Reducing Speed Limits in School Zones
Image via Twitter
No family should feel unsafe while traveling to and from school. Last week, we gathered outside Garfield Elementary to announce Oakland is reducing in speed limits to 15 MPH around schools. As not only the Mayor of Oakland, but also a mother, I was proud to stand beside our community leaders as we work to make our streets safer around our beloved schools. A special shoutout to OakDOT for taking action to support the safety of our families with tools that are proven to reduce harm and save lives. #SafeOaklandStreets

Town Nights

When community gathers at night, violence drops. This Friday, nine sites across Oakland will host "Town Nights" offering free food, games, entertainment, and more. Town Nights are a partnership between the Adopt-A-Spot Program and the Oakland Department of Violence Prevention, and are a community-based approach to public safety, and along with the food and games, community organizations will host weekly clean-ups at the nine sites. Come eat and play games, enjoy the good weather, and help make our communities safer!
Organize Your Block Party for National Night Out
Image via City of Oakland
Celebrating community. August 2 is National Night Out, America’s block party night and a great chance for neighbors and neighborhoods to reconnect. Oaklanders can organize parties, BBQs, and other outdoor events, and shut your block down to do it! Hosts can also register early to receive give-away items for the kids and a special gift for the host. Make sure to register your block by Friday, July 22, and we'll see you out there on National Night Out!
 
Bulky Block Parties All Summer Long!
Image via City of Oakland
A different kind of block party. Oakland residents are invited to join us this Saturday, 6/25, to drop off your large, unwanted items at no charge! Come to 7101 Edgewater Dr from 9am-1pm, and please bring proof of residency such as a household bill. See the flyer above for other dates.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Image via SFGate
World Champs. I was honored to be a part of the victory parade on Monday, and it was a blast to see the Warriors and the entire Bay Area celebrating a hard-earned championship. We are blessed with a basketball team full of joy, loyalty and excellence, and they just added another ring to the collection. Congrats to our Warriors!!!!
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND RESOURCES

  • Calling all festival organizers! The City of Oakland is now offering grants to support festivals and festival culture in our community, helping to highlight the cultural expressions, stories, histories, and heritage of our many communities and neighborhoods. Applications are being accepted through July 7.

  • The City of Oakland’s Summer Food Service Program is resuming with the addition of new partner sites and locations.  All kids 18 and under, and adults with disabilities enrolled in a school program can receive meals. Here's the full roster of Summer Food Service Program sites as of May 31. Free food distribution sites can also be found by using the CA Meals for Kids app.

  • BART is taking submissions for a short story contest, with story finalists to be featured on BART's website and in BART platforms. Find more details and submit your story here, and read the Chronicle's coverage of the contest here.

  • 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

  • #OaklandUndivided is excited to announce its first paid internship opportunity. If you’re an Oakland public high school student interested in helping bridge the digital divide and can commit to a 3-month internship starting on July 25th, we encourage you to learn more and apply here. 

  • The City of Oakland is accepting applications to fill vacancies on the Mayor's Commission on Persons with Disabilities (MCPD). The MCPD represents and addresses the concerns of the disability community, acting as the City’s designated advisory body for ADA compliance. Applicants should live or work within the City of Oakland and demonstrate relevant professional and/or personal expertise to advise the Mayor and the City Council on matters affecting the rights of persons with disabilities in Oakland. If this sounds like you, find more information here!

  • The Oakland Police Commission is accepting applications until June 30th, and interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.


  • This summer, several Bay Area community colleges are offering free or low-cost summer learning opportunities for high school and middle school students. Find more info here.

  • The Girl's Equity Movement is accepting applications to their 2022-2023 Refined GEMs Program cohort in the US. Girls Equity Movement aims to catalyze change by equipping young women with the networking, training, and leadership skills they need to change the world. 9th-12th grade high school girls are encouraged to apply here!

  • Reading Partners San Francisco Bay Area is recruiting 42 AmeriCorps members to serve for 11 months during the 2022-23 school year in various positions to support students, schools, and communities. The term starts August 23rd - apply now to start your work in education and hear back with a final decision within 7 business days.

  • The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration is looking to fill its field offices across the state with full-time entry-level hires. View the job posting directly here.

  • 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
 
  • Are you committed to fair housing and rent regulation in Oakland? The Housing, Residential Rent and Relocation Board (aka the Rent Board) enforces the Rent Adjustment Ordinance and fosters fair housing for a diverse population of renters, hears rent adjustment appeals, and develops regulations for the Rent Adjustment Program. This is a great opportunity to learn more about rent regulation in Oakland as well as serve the community! You can learn more and fill out an online application here.

  • The City of Oakland is looking for qualified applicants to fill positions in our Planning & Building Department. Work with our experienced staff in the Strategic Planning or Zoning Divisions or our Digital Unit. Learn more and apply here.

  • 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.


  • Oakland Unified School District is hiring for a variety of roles! Find out more at the OUSD Jobs Portal.

  • AC Transit is hiring bus operators. Jobs start at $22.11/hour after paid training. Learn more about further opportunities here.