Faith & Clergy
LDS Church Volunteer Malia Luisa Lafu Saulala Recognized as Oakland’s Mother of the Year
Nephew Dave Moala; Elder Jay D. Pimentel; Malia Saulala, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf
Malia Luisa Latu Saulala has been recognized as the City of Oakland’s 2017 Mother of the Year. Malia is the mother of thirteen children, five or her own and eight adopted. She was raised as a Catholic in Tonga, and at the age of 19 moved to American Samoa where she met her husband and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They moved to the United States in 1976 and she soon became very involved in her Oakland neighborhood.
Malia has worked tirelessly in her community, serving on the Maxwell Park Neighborhood Council. In 2001 she received the Silver Beaver Award from the San Francisco Bay Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
As a faithful Mormon, Malia actively volunteers as an early morning Seminary instructor where she teaches a Bible and Scripture class to high school students each day before they go to school. She also helps lead the 3-11 year old Primary youth program and has served as a Sunday School teacher, women’s organization Relief Society President, and Cub Scout leader. .
At the public Mother of the Year ceremony, held at the Morcom Rose Garden in Oakland, Elder Jay D. Pimentel, a local leader for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offered his thoughts about Sister Saulala.
ElderPimentel said, “She is a living example of what the Bible asks – that we extend our influence for good beyond the ‘bushel’ of our own individual lives.”
Elder Pimentel told the audience that he has known Sister Saulala for 25 years and believed her to very deserving of this recognition, adding “She is miraculous in her service in her immediate family, in her extended family, in her neighborhood, in her church, in the Cub Scout program of the Boy Scouts of America, and in the community.”
Activism
A Student-Run Group Provides Critical Support Services to Underserved Residents
Those visiting The Suitcase Clinic can get legal advice, sign up for food assistance, receive housing resources, get medical help, or enjoy a hot, fresh meal. They can also get haircuts and foot washes from the student volunteers. Nilo Golchini, executive director of the clinic, said one of the goals for most of the students working there is helping bridge the gap of trust that exists between many unhoused people and the healthcare and social welfare systems.
Part One
By Magaly Muñoz
Every Tuesday evening, the dining hall of First Presbyterian Church fills up with dozens of people eating, laughing and moving from table to table, receiving much-needed services from UC Berkeley students – just a few blocks away from the university’s campus.
Individuals seeking support services can be found in this multi-stationed room on the south end of the church talking to law students, student case managers, or receiving medical attention in a corner by healthcare professionals.
This weekly event is hosted by Cal students through a volunteer-run program called The Suitcase Clinic.
The clinic, founded in 1989, was intended to offer free resources to underserved communities in Berkeley and surrounding cities. The majority of the clinic’s clientele are unhoused or low-income people looking for extra support.
Those visiting the clinic can get legal advice, sign up for food assistance, receive housing resources, get medical help, or enjoy a hot, fresh meal. They can also get haircuts and foot washes from the student volunteers.
Nilo Golchini, executive director of the clinic, said one of the goals for most of the students working there is helping bridge the gap of trust that exists between many unhoused people and the healthcare and social welfare systems.
During their tenure in the program, many of the students say they become strong advocates for homelessness rights.
“We’re also standing in solidarity with them. So, it’s not saying, ‘I’m going to help you, but I’m also going to stand with you,’” Golchini said.
Student volunteers get extensive training prior to working directly with clients. Those interested have to take a semester-long class to become versed in areas such as outreach, intersectionality, how to interact with unhoused people, how to sign people up for social services. and more.
Volunteers then get to pick from three different clinics: General, Women’s, or Youth and LGBTQ+.
The General Clinic is the most popular among visiting residents, while Women’s and Youth/LQBTQ+ have more specialized services for attendees.
The Women’s Clinic has many of the similar services to General, but also includes nail painting, childcare, and massages.
The Youth and LGBTQ+ Clinic offers a safe space for young people navigating living on the streets, with services that include housing referrals, wellness and recreation classes and employment resources.
Golchini explained that it’s important for them to keep these clinics separate because the different demographics experience poverty and homelessness differently than those who visit the General Clinic.
“We’re able to provide spaces where people can come in and feel safe and not feel like they’re constantly worried that something’s going to happen to them,” she said.
An outreach team also visits encampments every other Saturday in the Berkeley area to provide hygiene kits and encourage people to visit the in-person clinic, if possible.
However, Golchini said engagement has been low for some time now due to a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that allows cities to ban and cite people for sleeping on the streets.
She said a lot of their clientele got displaced to other cities over time, making it difficult to stay in contact with the services the Clinic was providing for them.
But that hasn’t slowed down the students at the Clinic, if anything, it has pushed them to do more for the community they serve.
Activism
OCCUR Hosts “Faith Forward” Conference in Oakland
The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.
Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership.
By Carla Thomas
The Oakland Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal (OCCUR) hosted its Faith Forward 2024 Conference on Nov. 8 at Resurrection Church in Oakland.
The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.
Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership. During her remarks, She commended nonprofits making a difference, and shared how she looked forward to representing Oakland and surrounding areas.
Simon also encouraged attendees to continue fighting despite their concerns about the presidential election results. She also cautioned that there may be resources that are discontinued as a result.
“We know the assignment. We have many of the resources right within our own community, and we will be ok,” Simon assured the audience.
The conference led by OCCUR president, Dr. David B. Franklin, also featured panels on funding opportunities, case studies, economic development, sustainable housing solutions, and organizing for action.
“In order for organizations serving the community to thrive, everyone must collaborate, share resources, and not operate in silos,” said Franklin.
Speakers included San Francisco Foundation CEO, Fred Blackwell, San Francisco Foundation FAITHS Program Director Dr. Michelle Chambers, and Kingmakers of Oakland Founder, Chris Chatmon. Guests were briefed on how Kingmakers of Oakland has gone from a budget of zero to several million and is set to acquire 200 acres of property to expand their programs serving young boys. The leadership at the San Francisco Foundation encouraged nonprofits, churches, and community leaders to work together, especially when donations and funding numbers are lower.
Ben Bartlett of Berkeley City Council; Trevor Parham, CEO of Oakstop; and CEO of the Lao Family Community Development, Inc., Kathy Chao Rothberg, inspired attendees with stories about their journeys in the nonprofit sector.
Additional speakers included Deka Dike, CEO of Omatachi; Landis Green, CEO of DGS Strategies; Sasha Werblin, Director of Economic Development, LISC Bay Area; Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid; Faith and Justice Organizer of East Bay Housing Organizations, Ronnie Boyd; and Todd Bendon, Executive Director of Faith in Action East Bay; among others.
The event allowed community leaders, faith-based leaders, and nonprofits to gain Insight on how to strengthen their profits financially, and communally.
OCCUR has served the community for over 70 years supporting the wellbeing of historically marginalized communities with collaborative strategies. For more information visit occurnow.org
Bay Area
Marin County Board of Supervisors Honors FMBC’s 80th Anniversary
The First Missionary Baptist Church (FMBC), will be celebrating their 80th church anniversary on Sunday, Nov. 17 at 10 a.m. at 501 Drake Ave., in Marin City. The Marin County Board of Supervisors has passed a resolution to honor FMBC’s 80th anniversary.
By Godfrey Lee
The First Missionary Baptist Church (FMBC), will be celebrating their 80th church anniversary on Sunday, Nov. 17 at 10 a.m. at 501 Drake Ave., in Marin City.
The Marin County Board of Supervisors has passed a resolution to honor FMBC’s 80th anniversary. The resolution reads as follows:
- FMBC, a distinguished member of the religious community in Marin County, is celebrating its 80th Anniversary in commemoration of this significant milestone.
- FMBC has provided spiritual nurture and education to its congregation and has extended humanitarian concern and compassion throughout the Marin County community. Throughout its long and impactful history, FMBC has been guided by dedicated and faithful leaders.
- The completion of eighty years of tireless service to its congregation and community reflects the steadfast devotion of countless individuals – both religious and lay – who embody the teachings of the Lord.
- FMBC shares a unique, rich, and dynamic history with Marin City and Marin County at large, having been established in 1944 in the living room of Rev. W.E. Franklin, serving the workers of Sausalito Marinship.
- FMBC, throughout its rich 80 years of history, continues to provide service and support to Marin City and the County in the areas of mentoring, mental health advocacy, social justice, domestic & gun violence, and climate resilience.
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that the Marin County Board of Supervisors honors First Missionary Baptist Church on its 80th Anniversary, recognizing its profound impact on the Marin City community and its unwavering commitment to service, faith, and hope.
The Resolution was passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Marin on Nov. 5, 2024. It was signed by Dennis Rodini, president, District 4, and District 3 Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters.
-
California Black Media4 weeks ago
California to Offer $43.7 Million in Federal Grants to Combat Hate Crimes
-
Black History4 weeks ago
Emeline King: A Trailblazer in the Automotive Industry
-
California Black Media4 weeks ago
Gov. Newsom Goes to Washington to Advocate for California Priorities
-
California Black Media4 weeks ago
California Department of Aging Offers Free Resources for Family Caregivers in November
-
Activism3 weeks ago
Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024
-
Activism4 weeks ago
OCCUR Hosts “Faith Forward” Conference in Oakland
-
Activism4 weeks ago
Richmond Seniors Still Having a Ball After 25 Years
-
Activism2 weeks ago
Butler, Lee Celebrate Passage of Bill to Honor Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm with Congressional Gold Medal