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