Front row – from left to right: Paul Cobb,  Antonio McCormick, Unree Harrell, Glen Stafford, John Guillen, Wendy Fox-Rankin, Emani Brown, Joyce Crosby, Mayor Libby Schaff; Back Row – Brandon Ferguson, Angeltio Kemp, Sergio Carranza, Shawn Sharp, Stacy Harris, Connie Jenkins. Photo by Earl Jacobs.

The Center Point Day Reporting Center (DRC) in Oakland celebrated its Achievement Ceremony on August 31 for men and women who are currently on parole, probation or those still in custody. The DRC program assists clients transitioning back into the community. Clients receive help with issues of Substance Abuse, Anger Management, Domestic Violence, Cognitive Behavior Skills, Job Readiness, Vocational Skills, and Parenting/Family Relationships along with other workshops.

City Councilwoman Lynette McElhaney provided special commendations of support for those who had completed the 7 to 12-month training provided by Program Manager Angelito Kemp and Vice President John Challis.  Oakland Post Publisher Paul Cobb, the keynote speaker challenged those agencies in attendance, which included, Mayor Libby Schaaf, DRC community advisory board, faith leaders to provide job opportunities and housing for the program’s graduates.

Pastor L.J. Jennings of Kingdom Builders Fellowship stepped forward to pledge that he would urge his fellow pastors to continue to fight for job and housing for Center Point’s clients. Cobb said the Post would print any jobs or housing that Mayor Schaaf would cause to occur.

Center Point Inc., founded in 1971, operates treatment and social service programs in California, Texas, and Oklahoma that serve 4,000 men and women every year. Their clients include homeless individuals, veterans, substance users, and women with children, families, adolescents, unemployed and those involved with the criminal justice system. They offer assessment and evaluation, outpatient, residential programs, transitional and permanent housing, job preparation training, vocational programs, job placement assistance, case management and specialized gender-appropriate services, substance abuse treatment, computerized literacy programs and a GED course. Kemp said ongoing support is provided through continuing care, aftercare, transitional housing and supportive services

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