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District 5 - Winter Newsletter Release Date: November 20, 2014
1221 Oak St., Suite 536 Oakland, CA 94612 Tel. (510) 272-6695 Fax (510) 271-5151
dist5@acgov.org
The Fifth District includes the cities of Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville and Piedmont; the West Oakland, North Oakland and Rockridge communities and portions of the Grand Lake, Manzanita, Diamond District and Fruitvale neighborhoods.
Dear Friends,
In this issue we announce an exciting new project that we have
entered into with our partner Oakland & the World Enterprises
Inc. to transform an abandoned lot into flourishing cooperative
businesses and housing for formerly incarcerated individuals and
others facing barriers to employment.
Also featured are highlights from the recent 2014 Election, our 9th
annual “Ready to Learn Fun Fair”, the grand opening of the Lin-
coln Child Center, which provides social and emotional services
for youth, and the Unity Council’s 50th Anniversary Gala.
For the holiday season we have included free Thanksgiving meal
locations, selected donation drives, shopping resources and up-
coming events for the whole family. During this time of year food
security and homelessness can be challenging so we are encourag-
ing citizens to take advantage of county resources such as Cal
Fresh, the Alameda County Food Bank and our local shelters.
Check out photos from our community activities and please share
the highlights with your family and networks. I welcome your
thoughts and feedback. You can reach us at (510) 272-6695 or
dist5@acgov.org.
Sincerely yours,
Keith Carson
President
Supervisor, District 5
Connect with District 5 Online! http://www.acgov.org/carson
https://www.facebook.com/keithcarsondotorg
http://twitter.com/keith_carson
http://www.youtube.com/user/KeithCarsonDistrict5
@Supervisor_KeithCarson
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZED TO BUILD
COOPERATIVE BUSINESSES
FOR FORMERLY INCARCERATED
ACQUIRES ONE ACRE OF LAND IN WEST OAKLAND
Oakland, California--On Monday, October 27, 2014, Oakland &
the World Enterprises Inc. (“OAW”), co-founded by social activ-
ist and author Elaine Brown and Alameda County Supervisor
Keith Carson, announced its acquisition of nearly one acre of land
at 7th & Campbell Streets on which it will establish cooperative
businesses to be owned and operated by those disproportionately
denied access to economic opportunity, particularly formerly in-
carcerated people. Oakland & the World will launch its vision
with an urban farm, a first step in the long-range development of
the property to provide space for its first slate of businesses, in-
cluding a fitness center, tech hub, athletic shoe and clothing man-
ufacturing businesses with retail outlets and a juice and fresh food
bar. The property will also be developed to include more than
100 units of housing, 40% affordable to low and very-low income
people, friendly to families, the disabled and the elderly.
In addition to Brown and Carson, OAW’s diverse advisory board
includes: Judge Gordon Baranco; Dr. Mark Alexander; formerly
incarcerated activist Jerry Elster; prominent Bay Area attorney
Zack Wasserman and Sacramento attorney Fred Hiestand; urban
farm guru David Roach; contractor Len Turner; sustainable sys-
tems developer James Nixon; Grammy-award winner D’Wayne
Wiggins; tech developer Steve Wright; bankers Annette Darnes
and Louis Barnett; land developer Jabari Herbert; realtors Debo-
rah Matthews and Chris Perryman; political advisor Nell Barnett;
OAKLAND & THE WORLD
District 5 Newsletter Page 2
1221 Oak Street, Suite 536 · Oakland, CA 94612 · 510-272-6695 · dist5@acgov.org · www.acgov.org/board/district5
HOMELESSNESS IN ALAMEDA COUNTY
Emergency Housing
If you are in need of immediate
emergency shelter and housing
assistance, please contact:
The Bay Area Helpline at 1-800-
273-6222 or 211 / www.211.org
www.alamedasocialservices.org/public/services/
housing_and_homeless/emergency_housing.cfm
Health Care
Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless Program
(ACHCHP) has been providing health care and case management
services to homeless persons throughout Alameda County since
1988.
For information about mobile clinic sites, please phone
510-532-1930
and former Oakland City Councilmember Wilson Riles. With the
support of such a powerful assemblage, OAW will capitalize its pro-
ject through private investments, philanthropic contributions and
government funding. Once operational, it will be financially self-
sustaining.
This project is intended to address the dire socioeconomic problems
plaguing Oakland such as poverty, crime and recidivism with the
goal of creating economic development for the community and self-
sufficiency for the most vulnerable men, women and youth, those
reduced to surviving by any and all means. By creating these oppor-
tunities, OAW will also open the door to a positive business climate
in Oakland, particularly downtown Oakland, where the City govern-
ment and County seat are located. The failure of Oakland to attract
significant hotels, shopping and businesses to downtown and else-
where in the city is attributable solely to the high crime rate in Oak-
land, particularly West Oakland, where crime and poverty are persis-
tent problems. By building this project on a property left blighted
and undeveloped for decades, OAW addresses the nexus between
crime and poverty, developing a keystone for uplifting the entire
city.
CEO Elaine Brown said, “This project resurrects the dream we once
held for a better life for everyone while concretely addressing the
shame of mass incarceration. It is not a panacea, obviously, but, a
means to an end that doesn’t involve further elimination of the least
of these through gentrification and incarceration.”
OAW Board member and formerly incarcerated activist Jerry Elster
added, “This is what we’ve been waiting for.”
Oakland & The World: Cont. from Page 1
Top: Elaine Brown and Jerry Elster being interviewed by KQED
Bottom: Keith Carson being interviewed by Shonda Scott
District 5 Newsletter Page 3
1221 Oak Street, Suite 536 · Oakland, CA 94612 · 510-272-6695 · dist5@acgov.org · www.acgov.org/board/district5
.
EAST BAY ELECTIONS HIGHLIGHTS This is a summary of key measures and initiatives that
passed on November 4, 2014.
STATE BALLOT INITIATIVES
PROP 47 This proposition is a step towards addressing the issue of mass
incarceration in the state of CA. It reduces certain penalties from
felonies to misdemeanors for those who have not committed violent
or serious crimes. It will redirect hundreds of millions in prison
savings toward education, victim services, mental health services
and drug treatment. Already 95 people in Alameda County have
identified for release.
ALAMEDA COUNTY
Measure BB This is a 1 cent sales tax that will improve transit and make it more
reliable. Measure BB will expand and modernize BART in
Alameda County through the renewal of a transportation sales tax.
While also keeping fares reasonable for seniors, students and
disabled individuals.
CITY OF ALBANY
Measure LL This measure replaces an expiring $159/year parcel tax with a
temporary, six-year parcel tax of $278/year which will maintain
excellent schools for Albany students, preserve funding for
science, art, music, library services, and reading and math support;
attract and retain exceptional teachers and counselors; limit class
sizes; and keep schools safe and technology and textbooks up-to-
date.
CITY OF BERKELEY
Measure D The measure will impose a sales tax on all beverages sweetened
with sugar at a rate amounting to $0.12 per twelve ounce can of
soda. This Ordinance provides for a Sugar Sweetened Beverage
Product Panel of Experts to make recommendations on how the
City should fund programs to further reduce the consumption of
sugar-sweetened beverages in Berkeley and address the
consequences of such consumption
CITY OF EMERYVILLE
Measure V Emeryville has adopted a Real Property Transfer Tax paid only by
buyers and sellers of property at the time of sale to ensure funding
to maintain essential city services such as: police, fire and
emergency services protection; street, sewer and storm drain
maintenance; park and open space development and maintenance;
bike and pedestrian safety; child care and programs for youth and
seniors.
FOOD RESOURCES Cal Fresh is the new name for California's
Food Stamp Program. Cal Fresh is a
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP) that provides assistance
for households to purchase nutritious food.
The program uses an easy credit card
format called Electronic Benefit Transfer
(EBT) to purchase food at retail stores and
farmers markets.
Who May Be Eligible
All US citizens (Except persons receiving SSI/SSP benefits)
Low income
Most immigrants - Legal Permanent Residents
What Verification Is Needed
Identification (does not need to be a picture ID)
Social Security number
Proof of any income
Proof of expenses - rent receipt, utility bills, childcare receipts,
medical receipts
http://www.alamedasocialservices.org/public/services/
food_assistance/index.cfm or call 510-891-0700
CITY OF OAKLAND
Measure DD
This measure will set up an Independent Redistricting Commission
that will have community members leading the redistricting process
and making key decisions about the city’s district lines.
Measure FF
This measure raises Oakland’s minimum wage from the current
hourly rate of $9.00 to $12.25 an hour and will provide over 40,000
of Oakland’s workers with paid sick days.
Measure N Uses an annual parcel tax of $120 for ten years to reduce the high-
school drop out rate and will provide high school students with real-
world work and learning opportunities as well as expanding a
variety of support services for job training programs.
Measure Z (Formerly Measure Y) Reaffirms a parcel tax on Oakland property
and a parking tax assessment to fund policing resources ($12
Million) and to create funds for essential community –based
violence prevention programs such as Cease Fire.
For more information visit:
http://www.acgov.org/rov/elections/schedule.htm
District 5 Newsletter Page 4
1221 Oak Street, Suite 536 · Oakland, CA 94612 · 510-272-6695 · dist5@acgov.org · www.acgov.org/board/district5
GRAND OPENING OF
LINCOLN CHILD CENTER
The grand opening of the 130-
year-old Lincoln Child Cen-
ter’s new headquarters in West
Oakland took place in Septem-
ber 2014.
Lincoln Child Center provides
mental health, education and
family support services
throughout Alameda and Con-
tra Costa counties, focused on
reducing the impact of trauma
and poverty. The organization
offers 14 programs that pro-
vide services in families,
homes, schools, and commu-
nities.
Katherine Enad, the Develop-
ment & Marketing Manager at
the Lincoln Center, says that
the move to West Oakland
was simply a matter of
“returning to our roots”.
“Moving to West Oakland has
meant returning to a commu-
nity where Lincoln was
founded in 1883. Formerly, Lincoln was located on Lincoln Avenue
in the Oakland Hills across the street from Head-Royce School for
the past 86 years,” says Enad. “The move was intentional -- to meet
the needs of children, youth, and families from the communities
that Lincoln Child Center serves. Our organization desires to meet
children and families where they are and in the communities in
which they live.”
The Lincoln Center strives to ease some of the mental and emotion-
al difficulties that often arise when youth dwell in underserved
communities. “Many people do not understand that these issues
often come from what is called ‘toxic stress’,” says Katherine.
“Toxic stress results from living in poor neighborhoods where there
is community violence and family instability. One of the biggest
challenges facing children, youth, and families who deal with men-
tal and emotional issues is the stigma associated with asking for
help. At Lincoln, we see ourselves as partners – part of a team with
the family – and we focus on problem-solving. Everyone has chal-
lenges and asking for help can be life-changing and life-saving.
Lincoln has highly effective support services available to those indi-
viduals but there cannot be movement until they take the leap and
ask for help.”
(left to right): Dave DeFigueiredo
(Lincoln Board Member), Diana
Netherton (Lincoln Board Presi-
dent), Wendall Mitchell (Lincoln
Board Member), Chris Stoner-
Mertz, Councilmember Lynette
Gibson McElhaney.
The Alameda County Positive Youth Justice Initiative
Partnership Presents:
CULTURAL GROUNDING OF HISTORICAL
TRAUMA RELATED TO HUMANITY OF
MARGINALIZED FAMILIES
Featuring Wade W. Nobles Ph.D. & Lawford L. Goddard, Ph.D.
3 hour training for Probation, Juvenile Justice, Child Welfare,
Health/Behavioral Health staff and community providers
December 8, 2014, 8:30 AM—11:30 AM
December 9, 2014, 1:30 PM—4:30 PM
Location: The California Endowment
1111 Broadway, 7th Floor, Oakland, CA
Deadline for Registration is December 3
For more information contact:
Muntu Mbonisi/ mmbonisi@acgov.org or 510 667-3045
Many of the youth leave the center feeling more empowered and
healthier as a result of Lincoln’s programming and caring staff
members. “Some of the improvements we see in the young people
we serve are higher school attendance rates, better academic perfor-
mance, a reduction in discipline and suspensions from school, im-
provement in behavioral and emotional functioning, an increase in
positive social behaviors, children and youth remaining in a living
situation with a kin caregiver (as opposed to going into foster care),
and gains in reading levels,” says Enad. “Our clinical staff also
report improvement in caregivers' parenting skills.”
The Commemora-tion of the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 provided an opportunity for the whole community to reflect on the road
to passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The program in June honored iconic civil rights attorney Howard Moore, Jr., General counsel for the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and attorney for Ange-la Davis from 1971 to 1977.
To order a photo CD or DVD of the program, please
call (510) 272-6695
1221 Oak Street, Suite 536 · Oakland, CA 94612 · 510-272-6695 · dist5@acgov.org · www.acgov.org/board/district5
IMPROVING LITERACY
FOR CHILDREN
The 9th annual Ready to Learn Fun Fair
(RTLFF) served over 200 families by giving
away over 400 free books, 50 new parent kits
and 200 dental kits. In addition, there were 20
community providers at the event to assist fami-
lies with healthcare, housing, afterschool pro-
grams, academic programs and nutritional infor-
mation. The event continues to be a success
with the support of ongoing partners First Five
Alameda County and KQED.
The RTLFF was established in 2005 to encour-
age parents to prepare their children for pre-
school programs and kindergarten. Aisha
Brown, Senior Staff for Keith Carson, who
helped to produce the event this year, spoke
about ways the event has expanded over the
years and how the event helps new families to
have access to information and books. “The
number of families that attend continues to
grow,” she said. “Each year we are able to at-
tract different sponsors for the event. We are
also able to partner with a variety of different
organizations that can help support the families.”
Literacy challenges continue to plague many
children in Alameda County communities like West Oakland. Carson
hosts this annual event to encourage parents to engage their young ones
in reading activities at an early age. “Often times, minority children are
already behind when they start school because they have had not partici-
pated in preschool programs,” says Brown. “So, it was originally started
to share information about preschool and kindergarten programs and
services. Secondly, to encourage learning, reading, and provide infor-
mation to the family about things that might impact their daily
lives. Lastly, it also provided an opportunity to get information about
county services out to the families.”
Hosting the event at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, a Sci-
ence Technology Engineering Math (STEM) school, supports the grow-
ing movement towards offering students a well-rounded education fo-
cused on literacy, math and science awareness.
The children in attendance were ecstatic to give Clifford a hug and high
five, to get their faces painted by Buki the Clown, and to get a free book.
Parents were enthusiastic to bring their young ones to this positive and
FREE event, in addition to gaining knowledge about local community
resources in the areas of education, nutrition, social services, exercise
and the arts.
Page 5 District 5 Newsletter
District 5 Newsletter Page 6
1221 Oak Street, Suite 536 · Oakland, CA 94612 · 510-272-6695 · dist5@acgov.org · www.acgov.org/board/district5
Thanksgiving Food and
Meal Resources ALAMEDA COUNTY COMMUNITY FOOD BANK
7900 Edgewater Drive, Oakland, CA 94621
If you need food, call the Emergency Food Helpline at
1-(800) 870-FOOD (3663) or 510-635-3663
The Alameda County Food Bank Holiday
Food Assistance food help line is available
November 1—December 25, 2014
visit http://www.accfb.org/holiday-food-assistance/
Visit the Following Locations To Reserve a Holiday Meal:
APEP
1320 Webster Street, Oakland, CA
November 21, 2014, 9:30 AM
Healthy Oakland
1423—34th Street, Oakland, CA
November 21, 2014,1:00 PM
LAKE MERRITT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Thanksgiving Day Meal
Thursday, November 27, 2014, 12:00 PM-2:00 PM
1255 1st Avenue, Oakland, CA
Free and open to the public. For more information,
please call (510) 465-4793
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
Thanksgiving Day Meal Thursday, November 27, 2014, 10:45 AM - 12:45 PM
675 - 23rd Street, Oakland, CA 94612
To volunteer, call (510) 877-9252
or email: volunteer@svdp-alameda.org
For more information, please visit
http://www.svdp-alameda.org/
TWO STAR MARKET
(OAKLAND’S DIMOND DISTRICT)
12h Annual Thanksgiving Day Celebration
Wednesday, November 26 2014, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
2020 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94602
For more information, please call (510) 531-3576
or visit http://www.2starmarket.com/
BERKELEY FOOD AND HOUSING PROJECT (BFHP)
Thanksgiving Meal
Thursday, November 27, 2014, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
2362 Bancroft Way, Berkeley CA 94704
For more information or to donate,
please call (510) 649-4965 or visit www.bfhp.org.
B.O.S.S HOLIDAY DRIVE
Now through New Year's, B.O.S.S (Building Opportu-
nities for Self Sufficiency) is collecting gifts and other
needed items to help give the homeless families and in-
dividuals in their programs holidays full of warmth,
compassion, hope, and joy, no matter what challenges
they are facing. Items needed include towels and toilet-
ries, blankets and sleeping bags, new socks, gift cards,
and warm coats. To get involved, contact Sonja at (510)
649-1930 x 222 or sfitz@self-sufficiency.org
1221 Oak Street, Suite 536 · Oakland, CA 94612 · 510-272-6695 · dist5@acgov.org · www.acgov.org/board/district5
Page 7 District 5 Newsletter
Holiday Donations, Events and
Shopping
CITY OF ALBANY TOY, CLOTHING &
FOOD DONATION DRIVE
Drop-off locations:
•Albany Community Center Lobby - 1249 Marin Avenue
•Albany Senior Center Lobby - 846 Masonic Avenue
The donations accepted
November 5 through December 19, 2014.
For more information, please contact (510) 524-9283
OAKLAND IN THE BLACK Friday, November 28, 2014 / 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
The 3rd annual Oakland In The Black holiday shopping and commu-
nity celebration. Bring your friends and family and join the fun down-
town. Share the holiday spirit; enjoy excellent tunes, tasty goodies,
and fun activities while you shop. Oakland in The Black offers an
alternative to “Black Friday" and is designed to support both local and
independently-owned businesses during the holidays. For more infor-
mation, please visit www.oaklandintheblack.org
CITY OF OAKLAND HOLIDAY
TREE LIGHTING Wednesday, December 4, 2014
5:00PM
Oakland City Center,
Broadway and 14th St., Oakland, CA
Music and Fun at the Official 2014
Oakland City Center Tree Lighting!
http://visitoakland.org/event/2014-
tree-lighting-ceremony/
IMAGINE AFFAIRS SUPPPORTS
HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE
Sunday, December 14, 2014, 3:00PM
408 –14th Street, Oakland, CA
Free Entry with Toy
Toys will be distributed to shelters supporting children.
For more information visit
www.nurseschildrenfoundationinc.org or call 510 645-1542
CELEBRATING
KWANZAA 2014
Saturday, December 27, 2014
4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Hosted by The East Bay Church of
Religious Science
4130 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, CA
(510) 420-1003
Come celebrate the second day of Kwanzaa—Kujichagulia, which
means of self-determination. All seven principles of Kwanzaa will be
celebrated this evening along with the East Bay choir, a children’s
play, poetry, and Kwanzaa lighting ceremony.
MONTCLAIR VILLAGE 12TH
ANNUAL HOLIDAY STROLL
Thursday, December 4, 2014
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Enjoy 10 School and Professional
Performances, photos with Santa
and special discounts and promo-
tions are offered as over 40 merchants stay open to greet
guests with music, food & drink. Donate a toy to Oakland
Firefighters Random Acts toy drive, and then follow The Tap
Dancing Christmas Trees for a visit with Santa. In addition to
the delicious treats and performances there will be a street clo-
sure on Antioch Court, where additional children activities
will take place. For more information visit
http://montclairvillage.com/
HANUKKAH DINNER, SERVICES & CELEBRATION!
Friday, December 5, 2014
Dinner & Activities 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM; Services at 6:30 PM
Get ready for Hanukkah with the Temple Sinai community!
We’ll gather for dinner and activities at 5:00pm, join together for
festive family services at 6:30pm, and conclude our evening with a
holiday Oneg at 7:30pm. RSVP to Marcy Walsh at
mwalsh@oaklandsinai.org or (510) 451-3263.
OAKLAND MUSEUM of CA
Family Drop-in Workshop: Winter Fest Sunday, December 14, 2014 12:00 - 3:00 PM
Explore the traditions honored in celebrations including Kwanzaa,
Hanukkah, and Mexican Christmas through hands-on art activities
for the whole family. www.museumca.org/
BOARDS/ COMMISSIONS VACANCIES
Consumer Affairs Commission The purpose of this
commission is to promote and protect the best inter-
ests of the consumer public, to encourage the highest
standards in the business community and to develop
a high level of consumer awareness.
Advisory Commission on Aging This commission
takes positions on matters pertaining to federal, state
and local policies, programs and procedures, and any
legislation affecting older persons.
Arts Commission The Arts Commission acts in an
advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors con-
cerning the arts and cultural environment in the
County
For complete listings please visit
http://www.acgov.org/bc/
CARSON IN THE COMMUNITY
District 5 Newsletter Page 8
1221 Oak Street, Suite 536 · Oakland, CA 94612 · 510-272-6695 · dist5@acgov.org · www.acgov.org/board/district5
Keith Carson at the “The Unity Council’s
50th Anniversary Gala” Oakland, CA
COFFEE WITH KEITHCOFFEE WITH KEITH
In MontclairIn Montclair
You are invited to stop by
for coffee and conversation
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Sophie’s Cuppa Tea
2078 Antioch Ct, Oakland, CA 94611
8:00 AM — 9:00 AM
For More Information Please Contact Amy Shrago
at 510 272 6695 or Amy.Shrago@acgov.org
The first workshop for Keith Carson’s financial series took place on
October 15th at the Unity Council. Twenty-five people attended to
hear a Wells Fargo representative speak on budgeting and personal
finance. Topics consisted of basic budgeting, how to open a check-
ing account as a minor or adult, the pros and cons of a credit card
and how to avoid “bad credit.”
In continuation of Supervisor Keith Carson’s financial literacy
workshop series, upcoming workshops will continue with the youth-
empowering organization Alternatives in Action. Because financial
independence becomes considerably important for teens and young
adults, it will focus on preparing high school students to become
financially savvy. We will be covering similar topics to our initial
workshop in greater detail including: how to create and use a per-
sonal budget, what a credit score is and how to build it, and setting
personal short-term and long-term financial goals (e.g. clothing, car,
future house). This will be a part of the Alternatives in Action after
school program on gaining personal and professional skills for inde-
pendence and future success.
BOS District 5 Financial
Literacy Workshop Series
At this FREE WORKSHOP
learn how to create a budget,
learn about personal finance, and
smart spending.
Dates: December 9
and December 16
Location: TBA
Time: 4:30 PM—6:30 PM
Co-sponsored by Alternatives in Action
For more information contact: Hayley.laity@acgov.org
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