Activism

Safe Car Park Program Sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Alameda County

Published

5 years ago

September 5, 2019

In the midst of a growing homeless population in Alameda Count and as numbers have even doubled in Oakland, city staff is threatening to cut off funding to the Interfaith Council of Alameda’s Safe Car Program even though it was recommended by the city administration and unanimously approved by Oakland City Council.

Therefore, ICAC has revised its Safe Car Park Program. Mayor Libby Schaaf supports this program and wants to see the community use all three city-sponsored sites occupied to at least 50 perent capacity.

The newly revised program allows clients access in and out of their vehicles from 7 p.m. to midnight. From midnight to 7 a.m., the gates will be locked. This program is offered seven days a week, 365 days a year. There will be a smoking section – cigarettes only – on each site.

The program will help clients with minor auto repairs, some parking tickets (provided the City of Oakland reduces the parking ticket fees), DMV vehicle registration, emergency gas fund and personal care packages dependent on the availability of the funding.

Weekly showers and laundry services will be offered every Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at ICAC Hub, 732 Willow St, Oakland.

In order for clients to receive the benefits from the program, they must enroll in the program online (interfaithac.org), by calling Scott Blake at 510-239-8832 or in person at one of the sites (listed below); agree to all of the program rules; sign a contract; and park daily consistently with no problems or unruly behavior for 30 days of the 90-day program. If all goes well, clients can receive a 90-day extension.

There are four ICAC Safe Car Park program sites: ICAC Hub/West Side Missionary Baptist Church, 732 Willow St.; Center Street Baptist Church, 940 Center St.; Corinthians Baptist Church, 928 Castrol St.; and Williams Chapel Baptist Church, 1410 10th Ave.

Mayor Schaaf and the Rev. Ken Chambers, president and founder of ICAC, agree that the rising homeless problems in this region requires “All Hands on Deck.”

Chambers is asking the Oakland Police, BART Police departments and the Oakland Housing Authority to refer clients to ICAC’s program instead of towing homeless clients’ vehicles which are so many families’ homes.

ICAC is hosting the follow-up to the July Regional Gathering on Housing, Homeless solutions and best practices on Thurs., Sept. 12th, 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. at ICAC’s Hub, 732 Willow St., Oakland.

Special Invited guests are BART Board President Bevan Dufty; BART Board Member Lateefah Simon (West Oakland Station); BART General Manager Rob Power; Jacquelyn McCormick, chief of staff of the office Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin; and City Community Housing Services Manager Lara Tannenbaum.

For ICAC’s Safe Car Park Program application go to http://www.interfaithac.org or Call ICAC program coordinator Scott Blake at 510-239-8832.

To make a donation go to www.interfaithac.org.

For homeless Safe Car Park program outreach community consultant opportunities, call Rev. Ken Chambers 510-239-6681.

Interfaith Council of Alameda County

Posts by Interfaith Council of Alameda County

Related Topics:City of Oakland ICAC Interfaith Council of Alameda Interfaith County Safe Car Park Program

Up Next

Parents Push Back Against School District Plan to Close and Merge Schools

Don't Miss

New Foundation Helps Oakland School Children as Schools Deal with Budget Cuts

Interfaith Council of Alameda County

Click to comment

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024, 2024

Published

4 days ago

November 30, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

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.

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

President and CEO of OCCUR addresses the audience at OCCUR Faith Forward 2024 Conference at Resurrection Church. Photo by Carla Thomas.

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 12^th 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

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

Richmond Seniors Still Having a Ball After 25 Years

The Senior Winter Ball is a symbol of the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them. “Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Myrtle Braxton (l-r), Byran H. Harris, and Michelle Hayes. Photo by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

For a quarter century, seniors in the local community have had a prime location in the heart of the city to gather and celebrate the holidays.

That is courtesy of the annual Senior Winter Ball, which will mark a milestone this year when it takes place for the 25^th time. The gala will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Richmond Memorial Auditorium.

The holiday tradition was started by the City of Richmond’s Commission on Aging in 1999 to entertain and celebrate seniors. The event also raises funds for local senior causes. Attendees wear their finest attire and enjoy dinner and dancing.

“It’s so exciting to see all of the gala attendees all dressed up and seeing their lifetime friends and making new friends as well,” said Bryan M. Harris, secretary for the Commission on Aging. “They will reminisce about old Winter Ball memories and at the same time create new ones.”

Richmond’s very own Chef Josephine Orozco of El Sol Catering will serve at this year’s anniversary dinner. The gala will also feature the band Top Shelf Classics, which plays hits from the 50s through the 80s and has been the gala’s annual performer for the last decade.

The Senior Winter Ball symbolizes the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them.

“Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”

Myrtle Braxton, 97, has served on the commission for 17 years and is its current vice president. She says her goal is to increase the quality of life for seniors through safe social events.

“So many seniors are isolated and are sometimes forgotten by society,” Braxton said. “So, our commission is their advocate and makes sure they are not left behind.”

Tickets to the 25th Silver Anniversary Annual Senior Winter Ball are $45 per person or $360 for a table of eight. They are available in person via the Main Recreation office at 3230 Macdonald Ave., via email at csdregistration@ci.richmond.ca.us or by phone at 510-620-6793.