ALAMEDA BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
1. WHAT SERVICE DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDE?
Daily programming at the Alameda Boys and Girls Club focuses on education, leadership, health, and life skills; STEM; fine arts; and sports, fitness & recreation.
We also provide music production and a college and career center for teens.
Participation in these programs and services has the goal of improving the lives of our members as it teaches them the skills they need to achieve academic and professional success and also how to become confident, healthy, and contributing members of society.
2. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST NEED FOR THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE? Mental health support services.
3. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS OFTEN UNKNOWN OR UNSEEN ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE, WHICH WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND? Blank
TEMPLE ISRAEL OF ALAMEDA
1. WHAT SERVICE DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDE?
We are a spiritual and cultural community. Our organization first and foremost provides community for Jewish Alamedans and Jews from across the East Bay. We are dedicated to welcoming Jewishly curious individuals and Jewish -adjacent individuals. Jewish community is distinct from other spiritual communities. We are bound by shared cultural experiences much more than spiritual doctrine or practice. Our activities range from pastoral care, meal trains, visiting the sick, to youth and adult wisdom education, prayer services, life cycle, and holiday observances.
2. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST NEED FOR THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE? The biggest need is for the wider community to take seriously the increase in anti- Jewish rhetoric and actions, which corresponds to an increase in white, Chrisitan nationalism.
3. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS OFTEN UNKNOWN OR UNSEEN ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE, WHICH WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND? Our community is not like a Chrisitan church. We are not connected by doctrine, which includes not expecting people to believe in or have the same understanding of God. December is not a particularly important month in the Jewish spritual year. Our holiday cycle follows a lunar -solar calendar that is separate from the Greogorian calendar. Historically, being Jewish is an ehtnic identity as much as a spiritual one. Redlining in Alameda explicitly excluded Jews from owning or renting property in large parts of this city. We are one of the smallest minority populations in Alameda. We are not all rich and we do not control any industries or global institutions.
FiveKeys
1. WHAT SERVICE DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDE?
We supply housing, medical care, transportation, food, getting documentation for housing and other resources. Help getting into programs, such as SUD, Anger Management, etc.
2. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST NEED FOR THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE? Housing and resources for maintaining that housing.
3. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS OFTEN UNKNOWN OR UNSEEN ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE, WHICH WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND? The unsheltered are not just addicts ; the majority have mental health issues, that they self-medicate, which causes the addiction. Mental health help is not readily available for Shelter operators to call upon. Also, it's not just about getting the unsheltered housing . It should be also about helping them maintaining it.
For example, when a person gets out of prison that has been incarcerated a long time, they go to a transitional housing, where they are required to go to groups, get jobs, and get housed. But it doesn't stop there. The PA helps with the need to maintain that housing, and that job. For unsheltered, for the most part they are housed and we don't know if they are successful or not unless we see them back on the streets.
CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1. WHAT SERVICE DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDE?
Christ Church provided a weekly shower program for unhoused/needy people every Sunday afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
This winter, Christ Church will host a nightly homeless shelter from December 1 through March 31. This project is a partnership of the City, Episcopal Community Services, and Christ Church.
On Thanksgiving Christ Church will provide up to 1,000 meals for the wider community. All are welcome.
Eleven months of the year Christ Church gives away its Sunday collection to charitable causes outside of the church. Community groups are welcome to apply for these proceeds.
2. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST NEED FOR THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE? From our perspective, people are craving community and connections. The crisis of despair (loneliness, opioids, suicide, etc) shows up all around us. People on the margins need to be seen and heard and know that someone loves them.
3. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS OFTEN UNKNOWN OR UNSEEN ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE, WHICH WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND? We need a lot of help preparing meals to pull off the shelter. We'd love for wider community participation.
BANANAS
1. WHAT SERVICE DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDE?
Child care resources and referrals, parenting workshops and affinity groups, playgroups, family navigators to support of unhoused families with young children (child care and navigation to other services), Family navigators to support Fostering (resource) parents, Child Care subsidies for tuition for all early care and education settings, Professional development for all early educators (licensed and license-exempt), Business incubator for aspiring and existing child care providers, Tiny Steps (Head Start at family child care homes)
2. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST NEED FOR THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE? Affordable housing
Shortage of early care and education settings that meet the needs of families
3. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS OFTEN UNKNOWN OR UNSEEN ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE, WHICH WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND? Families with young children are unhoused. They are couch -surfing, living in cars, living in motels, living in shelters, and living on the street. Many work ful time but are being displaced or evicited.
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST , SCIENTIST
IN ALAMEDA
1. WHAT SERVICE DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDE?
Besides prayer and encouragement to our members and community, we also sponsor the Christian Science Reading Room at 1307 Walnut Street, where anyone can pray, study, ask questions of the Librarian and receive spiritual support.
2. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST NEED FOR THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE? Loneliness, food insecurity, homelessness, crime
3. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS OFTEN UNKNOWN OR UNSEEN ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE, WHICH WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND? Unknown or unseen things for the public to understand: Everyone is doing the best they can and everyone needs help sometimes.
ST . VINCENT DE PAUL
1. WHAT SERVICE DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDE?
Saint Vincent de Paul serves people who need food, help with rent, and utilities.
No need is unfamiliar to Saint Vincent de Paul we also assist with fixing vehicles for people who need transportation to get from work or to doctors' appointments.
2. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST NEED FOR THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE? We are currently seeing many more unhoused families with small children. It is of the utmost importance to not have children in cars , particularly in extremely hot weather. We can put them up in the Extended Stay for seven days but do not have funds beyond that.
3. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS OFTEN UNKNOWN OR UNSEEN ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE, WHICH WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND? I think it is important for the public to understand that many children are in situations were their parents are deciding which bills they can pay this month.
This contributes to unstable households.
FAMILY VIOLENCE LAW CENTER
1. WHAT SERVICE DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDE?
Family Violence Law Center (FVLC) helps diverse communities in Alameda County heal from domestic violence and sexual assault, advocating for justice and healthy relationships. We provide survivor-centered legal and crisis intervention services, offer prevention education for youth and other community members, and engage in policy work to create systemic change. FVLC's holistic service model includes both protection initiatives for people currently experiencing abuse- including legal services, case managemen t, advocacy within local police departments, and emergency housing and relocation services- and prevention initiatives to eliminate future abuse such as violence prevention education, leadership training for youth, and community organizing and outreach.
In Alameda, FVLC’s Family Violence Prevention Project provides confidential, trauma-informed crisis intervention and legal services to Alameda survivors of DV, sexual assault, and stalking. The goal of the Family Violence Prevention Project is to provide domestic violence survivors and their children with access to the full range of legal and supportive services they need to keep them safe and free from future injury and homel essness. We offer crisis counseling, safety planning, emergency relocation, shelter placement, and other service referrals; direct legal assistance obtaining protection orders and other family law orders (including advice and consultation, paperwork preparation, and case management); and legal representation in protective order, limite d family law and housing matters.
FVLC receives referrals and reports directly from APD, among other community agencies; for example, received a total of 41 direct police report referrals from APD regarding survivors in the City of Alameda (13 in July, 9 i n August, and 19 in September 2023).
FVLC’s services are provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year via our crisis line at 800-947-8301. During business hours, our services are available at our offices at the Alameda County Family Justice Center (located in Oakland), via phone and remote platfo rms, and we are always available to provide mobile services to survivors in crisis. While many county domestic violence agencies serve clients through shelters and social support, they do not have attorneys on staff who can provide essential legal advice and representation. Similarly, other county legal service providers serve domestic violence victims with on -site lawyers but do not provide non -legal supportive services. Offering comprehensive services in one location is critically important to clients’ success in seeking safety.
2. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST NEED FOR THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE? The greatest needs for our clients are always access to legal advice and representation, and access to safe and stable housing. Domestic violence survivors are often particularly vulnerable when they enter the legal system because they have to face their abusers publicly in court, whether at in-person or virtual hearings, and their children frequently experience heightened stress and loss during this time. Additionally, when survivors face the housing instability that is all too common in the Bay Area and for survivors, they cannot focus and are less likely to follow through on next steps to safety. This community needs meaningful access to the justice system coupled with housing supports and linkages to FVLC and community services to address other critical needs (including housing, employment, childcare, and financial assistance).
3. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS OFTEN UNKNOWN OR UNSEEN ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE, WHICH WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND? Of late, the longstanding need for legal representation and housing stability services has been exacerbated. FVLC and community partners have observed a significant uptick the severity of violence and the filing of frivolous mutual restraining orders, both of which enhance the need for legal representation in court. Similarly, there has been an uptick in eviction-related matters. Even before the county and local moratoria expired, we spoke to many clients who were very anxious about what the expiration of the moratorium could mean for them. Some clients had already received notices or were being threatened by their landlords with evictions, even during the moratorium period. Many of these clients have seemingly insurmountable amounts of back rent, sometimes tens of thousands of dollars. This is also borne out in the local court data showing massive i ncreases in eviction filings. With all of the changing laws, we have found that clients are very unsure of their rights and of the process more generally, so consultations and education can do a lot to help clients feel more comfortable. In addition, we ha ve seen increased requests for lease terminations. Even where clients have a restraining order, they have identified terminating their current leases and relocating to be a crucial aspect of their safety plans. However, clients have difficulty getting transfers and/or finding a unit in their budget.
ALAMEDA FOOD BANK
1. WHAT SERVICE DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDE?
The Alameda Food Bank is an essential service providing food to the Alameda community through a variety of programs. Founded in 1977, the Alameda Food Bank is committed to eliminating food insecurity through dignified and respectful means. Our Island Commu nity Market is open three days a week and is a free grocery store serving approximately 1,000 Alameda families a week. The Market is fully stocked with a variety of fresh produce, shelf-stable canned goods, deli items and protein from which shoppers can pi ck. We offer a curbside pick-up option at the Island Community Market so shoppers who have barriers to shopping for themselves can still pick up their pre-ordered groceries.
In addition to our Island Community Market, we also offer a home delivery program serving 45 homebound clients who are not able to access our Island Community Market. Staff assists those receiving home delivery with an online order form to ensure they are receiving items they can use and have the ability to prepare.
We have a longstanding partnership with the Alameda Housing Authority, offering on site pantries every other week at Independence Plaza and Anne B. Diament.
These distributions are designed to ensure residents who are unable to access our Island Community Market due to transportation and physical barriers are still able to receive support.
Alameda Food Bank is deeply committed to supporting other organizations in meeting the needs of the community. We work with AUSD to provide recess snacks at three Title 1 schools in Alameda when we heard teachers were purchasing snacks for students. This y ear we have also begun a partnership with All Good Living Foundation to supply shelf-stable food in Community Resource Closets at four schools. These closets are available to students who are unhoused or at risk.
We also provide food to Dine and Connect fo r their weekly homeless outreach dinners at a rotating group of churches. This is in addition to our partnership with Village of Love, Christ Episcopal Church’s shower program, the warming shelter, and providing food on a weekly basis to families staying in the Big Whites and those utilizing Dignity Village.
2. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST NEED FOR THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE? Consistent access to both fresh produce and shelf-stable food items (eggs, bread milk)
Access to healthcare and childcare (to allow clients the ability to then access food) Reliable, efficient public transportation (for our clients to access the food bank) Access to food outside of our hours of operation? food for educators and students?
3. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS OFTEN UNKNOWN OR UNSEEN ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE, WHICH WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND? A very small percentage of those using the food bank are unhoused. Most of the people who shop with us are families that are your friends and neighbors who may just be having trouble making ends meet. The largest sector of our clients are fixed-income seniors whose benefits haven’t kept up with the cost of living in the Bay Area.
It can be very difficult and humbling for people to visit a food bank. Food is a basic need and people shouldn’t be ashamed of doing what they need to to take care of themselves and their families. We work incredibly hard to make sure that people who shop with us know that we are here to support them and try to frame the experience as a regular grocery shopping trip so people don’t feel unnecessary shame for visiting us.
SHELTER IN PEACE
1. WHAT SERVICE DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDE?
Identify and develop transitional housing opportunities for a negotiated period of time for refugees, immigrants, and low income families of Alameda, all of whom are supported by a sponsoring group, organization, or church. Shelter in Peace will serve as a liaison for the transitional housing period and will w ork with independent groups that are willing to sponsor an individual or family.
2. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST NEED FOR THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE? We work with a number of organizations that support families. Shelter in Peace was established in January 2017 as a result of the difficult experiences that many faith-based organizations were having in finding housing for refugees, immigrants, and low income families of Alameda.
3. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS OFTEN UNKNOWN OR UNSEEN ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE, WHICH WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND? Most of the families we work with are new to the country and cannot get any services until after they work with social services to get registered into various programs. This is not usually possible for them to do without assistance.
EDEN COUNCIL FOR HOPE AND
OPPORTUNITY (ECHO)
1. WHAT SERVICE DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDE?
We provide fair housing counseling, investigation, education, and mediation to the City of Alameda. We also provide landlord -tenant counseling and mediation to both tenants and housing providers on the Island. When funding is available, we also provide rental assistance for those that qualify. Alameda residents are also able to attend our home buyer education classes.
2. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST NEED FOR THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE? One of the biggest needs our clients have is the lack of affordable housing.
Although there are rent caps in cities like Alameda, households face challenges in meeting rent and their other needs. For our Section 8 voucher holders, finding rentals is often a daunting task because of the high rents in Alameda.
3. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS OFTEN UNKNOWN OR UNSEEN ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE, WHICH WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND? So many of the people who seek help from ECHO have minor children living in the home. Children in Alameda are greatly impacted by the myriad of housing challenges their parents/guardians face.
ALAMEDA FAMILY SERVICES
1. WHAT SERVICE DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDE?
Early Childhood Education - Head Start and Early Head Start Classrooms that combine state preschool funding so as to be able to extend days and offer more days of service.
Family Resource Center - Office and mobile center services available Senior Case Management and Support Services at Mastick Senior Center School-Based Services to all 15 AUSD schools along with 3 Health and Wellness Centers on the High Schools Campuses
Therapeutic Services to non-AUSD schools
Mental Health Clinic and satellite offices serving individuals and families who are part of Alameda Point
Home-Based Services for Children 0-7
Intensive Case Management
Crisis Services-CARE Team in collaboration with the Alameda Fire Department
2. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST NEED FOR THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE? Mental health for children and youth
Highly coordinated services for the unhoused population struggling with mental health/SUD
Services for disabled youth
Services for the LGBTQI population
3. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS OFTEN UNKNOWN OR UNSEEN ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE, WHICH WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND? Severe mental illness often leads people to self -medicate, which only exacerbates the problem.
Children/teens are part of a family system and often that whole system needs to be supported to create lasting change.
ALAMEDA MEALS ON WHEELS
1. WHAT SERVICE DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDE?
Alameda Meals on Wheels provides a daily hot meal and supplemental nutrition to our recipients. Our volunteers deliver on average nearly 4500 meals per month, 365 days per year. Any homebound Alameda resident who is unable to prepare a daily hot meal, either on a temporary or permanent basis and regardless of age or economic status, is eligible to receive services. Payment for meals is adjusted on an ability to pay basis. In addition to daily meals, AMOW has another program, Alameda Friendly Visitors which pairs home - or facility - bound recipients with volunteers who provide regular social visits for companionship and occasional help with activities such as shopping.
2. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST NEED FOR THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE? The biggest needs are provision of adequate nutrition to homebound individuals as well as social contact to fight isolation. Our daily meal deliveries and visits provide vital status checks on the safety and well-being of our recipients.
3. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS OFTEN UNKNOWN OR UNSEEN ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE, WHICH WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND? Our daily meal recipients often suffer from loneliness and isolation. In many cases, the daily meal delivery is the only human contact each has during the course of a day. This is one reason we founded the Friendly Visitors program as a way to increase opportunities for social contact and feelings of inclusion.
Many in our community do not know that Alameda Meals on Wheels is entirely funded by donations from our community and occasional grants. We do not generally accept government funding unless it is unrestricted in terms of who may benefit. This distinguishes AMOW from most other Meals on Wheels programs. AMOW has only a small core of paid staff who manage our programs and day to day operations. Our Board as well as all of our meal deliveries and friendly visits are entirely a volunteer effort.
CHABAD OF ALAMEDA
1. WHAT SERVICE DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDE?
Chabad of Alameda is a non -membership synagogue. Any member of the Jewish community can participate. Services we provide are pastoral care, education for adults and children, counseling, regular social visits for companionship and occasional monetary needs such as funeral costs and baby supplies. We also offer meals as needed, but we do not have a on -site kitchen and are currently in a temporary space. We are looking for permanent space with an on-site kitchen.
2. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST NEED FOR THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE? The biggest need is to have more personal connections and more outreach with communities within and outside of the Jewish community.
3. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS OFTEN UNKNOWN OR UNSEEN ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE, WHICH WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND? Since we started our counseling services, the number of participants has increased during COVID -19. Our members utilizing the counseling services suffer from loneliness and isolation. Our counseling services is run by volunteers. Members who need additional help ar e directed to professional help resources.
EDEN INFORMATION AND REFERRAL
1. WHAT SERVICE DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDE?
Eden I & R (EIR) was founded as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) agency on January 7, 1976, in response to a community need for a service that would assist people in obtaining information about, as well as gaining access to, community resources.
Our mission is to link people and resources.
EIR’s primary programs include the following:
• 211 Alameda County is the one stop for 24/7 access to affordable housing, job training, childcare, legal assistance, health services, emergency shelter, education, food, transportation, and other basic needs assistance. This free, three-digit phone numbe r connects clients with a live Community Resource Specialist (CRS) who introduces them to resources and advocates who can help in over 300 languages. Alternatively, clients can text 211 using the number 898211 to reach CRS.
• EIR is the contact center for Alameda County’s Coordinated Entry System by which homeless individuals/families are assisted with housing needs in a coordinated manner by agencies county-wide.
• EIR the provider of the City of Alameda Homeless Hotline Program, where EIR staff field, screen, assess, and respond to Alameda Homeless Hotline calls. • EIR handles after -hours emergency contacts for Alameda County's Child Protective Services, the Foster Placement Line, Adult Protective Services, and the Public Guardian Office.
• EIR's Health and Human Services Database is a comprehensive information repository and source on nearly 2,500 health and human services programs available to Alameda County residents.
• EIR’s Housing Database contains over 78,000 units of affordable housing throughout Alameda County. Units include subsidized housing, low -income housing, transitional housing, and market-rate rental housing. EIR’s Housing team maintains this database, with listings appearing at https://achousingchoices.org.
EIR is also the Housing Portal Coordinator for Alameda County’s Housing and Community Development Department’s new Housing Portal at https://housing.acgov.org. In this role, EIR addresses program management, user support, and housing placement needs. The new portal is part of a regional effort, linking into similar portals in San Francisco, San Mateo County, and City of San Jose.
• EIR is currently part of the California Eviction Prevention Program (CEPP) in collaboration with Health Leads, Tenants Together, and partner 211s in the Bay Area. The goal of this program is to develop a multi -entry point, remote access network for tenan ts facing displacement. Specifically, EIR created a housing specialty unit to conduct housing screenings for 211 callers facing eviction/displacement and provide appropriate referrals for advanced housing needs, such as referrals to legal aid organizations and job assistance support. • EIR’s AIDS Housing and Information Project (AHIP) provides housing and resource referrals to clients in the Alameda County HIV/AIDS community. EIR maintains up -to-date information on permanent housing that is reserved for persons living with HIV, as well as market-rate and/or subsidized housing (Project- Based Voucher, Housing Choice Voucher, Public Housing, Permanent Supportive Housing, transitional housing, shelter beds, etc.) EIR also provides clients with referrals to social services, health services, and financial assistance available only to people living with HIV.
• EIR’s Transportation Department ensures that seniors and people with disabilities have the latest information on transportation -related resources and access to mobility support. EIR’s Transportation program streamlines and coordinates mobility (transport ation) management services, using 211 as a central access point for subsidized tax and ride-sharing programs, including those currently offered by the City of Alameda and the City of Hayward. • EIR’s Disaster Preparedness program includes both coordinating with agencies that respond to disasters in Alameda County and providing disaster preparedness trainings to organizations that serve vulnerable populations. • EIR also creates personal plans for community members with access and functional needs that rely on electricity (e.g., refrigerated medicine) during Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) due to adverse weather conditions (such as wildfires)
2. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST NEED FOR THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE? Last fiscal year, 211 provided 3,807 health, housing, and human service referrals through 3,202 City of Alameda calls and texts. Half of all Alameda contacts were requests for housing -related information. City of Alameda clients needed affordable housing, emergency shelter, and other housing-related issues including eviction prevention, rental and deposit payment assistance, and utility assistance.
During the client intake process, 211 staff collects comprehensive information from clients that results in referrals over and beyond the need originally contacted for, which can be critical during this incredibly expensive rental market. For example, clients may learn they are potentially eligible for programs such as CalFresh, Medi -Cal, and/or General Assistance, which can then enable them to have more money to use for housing expenses.
Of the unduplicated Alameda clients served, 42% were living with a disability, 74% were female, 22% were single mothers with minor children. The top 10 needs of City of Alameda clients were 1. Housing/Shelter; 2. Utility Assistance; 3. Substance Use Disorder Services; 4. Legal Services; 5. Food; 6. Mental Health Assessment and Treatment; 7. Information Services; 8. Disaster Services; 9. Material Goods; 10.
Public Assistance Programs.
There is a significant community need for the information and referral services that 211 provides, both in the City of Alameda and throughout Alameda County.
Based on US Census data for Alameda County (2021), approximately 155,000 people live below the fe deral poverty line, where a family of four earns $27,750 or less. However, using the MIT Living Wage calculator ( https://livingwage.mit.edu/counties/06001), a living wage (annual income before taxes) in Alameda County for a family of four is $142,524. In this calculation, housing alone is estimated to cost $30,941 per year. The housing crisis continues— and has in many ways even become more difficult—with inflation and the cost of housing rising much faster than wages. The EveryOne Counts! 2022 Homeless Point-In-Time Count and Survey counted 9,747 sheltered and unsheltered homeless people in all of Alameda County, a 22% increase from 2019. The survey found 264 people were homeless in the City of Alameda, a 14% increase from 2019. The high cost of living in Alameda County causes many people to seek safety net services to meet their basic needs. Currently, 30% of Alameda County residents (approximately 504,000 people) receive direct assistance from Alameda County, according to the Alameda County Social Services Agency (December 2022 Monthly Report).
3. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS OFTEN UNKNOWN OR UNSEEN ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE, WHICH WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND? Our 211 staff often hear directly from callers in need about challenges they face including about the safety net services (or lack thereof) in Alameda County.
Though this is not unknown or unseen, it is worth confirming how few affordable housing and shel ter resources there are to meet the actual need that exists.
Additionally, 211 is receiving a lot of requests currently from callers for rental assistance and there are not enough resources to share. Same with legal resources around housing information an d rights. Legal assistance organizations are overwhelmed and cannot provide immediate assistance particularly for folks who are more upstream and might not have immediate and urgent needs. 211 staff also hear frequently about how challenging it can be for callers to navigate Alameda County’s Coordinated Entry System for the unhoused population.
Some people might be surprised to learn that even when a shelter bed is available for someone living in homelessness, they will sometimes opt to continue staying on the street/elsewhere because they’re unable to bring all of their belongings and/or their pet. Additionally, we have heard callers mention safety concerns and fear of abusive staff at emergency shelters.
Finally, we know that there are nowhere near enough interpreters/workers in Alameda County who speak Mam, an indigenous language spoken in parts of Oakland by Mexican immigrants.
BUILDING FUTURES WITH
WOMEN AND CHILDREN
1. WHAT SERVICE DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDE?
Building Futures serves Alameda County with a range of homelessness, domestic violence and housing services for people of all ages. The agency’s Homeless Services include shelters, housing resource Centers for those in need of housing and other aid, and a Street Outreach program for people living in encampments and vehicles.
Housing Services help those we serve to secure and retain housing, the foundation of a secure future.
Domestic Violence Services include Sister Me Home safe house, domestic violence outreach and education, counseling, referrals, housing services, and a 24-hour crisis line.
The agency’s programs in Alameda include:
• The Midway Shelter 25 beds for homeless women and children, food, clothing, case management, housing services, and more
• The Mid-County Housing Resource Center, a Coordinated Entry access hub funded by Alameda County’s Office of Homeless Care and Coordination
• Domestic violence outreach, education, and housing services serving all genders
• Bessie Coleman Court: 52 units of permanent supportive Housing at Alameda Point, for people who have been chronically homeless and have other deep needs
• Building Futures is a partner in the North Housing project, a partnership with Alameda Housing Authority and Alameda Point Collaborative, which will provide 90 units of supportive housing.
2. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST NEED FOR THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE? According to “Centering Racial Equity in Homeless System Design,” Black and Native American residents are disproportionately represented in Alameda County’s homeless population at a rate four times higher than in the general population. Building Futures is responding to this information with a greater focus on equity in terms of program design. Staff representation and staff training.
Continued support for programs serving those who are unsheltered or who are in danger of losing their housing. Safe and affordable housing is always a need, especially here in Alameda County, where the need for affordable housing far outstrips availability.
Domestic violence calls to 911 and the Alameda police department continue to rise. The need for support (including housing assistance) for survivors of intimate partner violence is a continuing need.
Across the range of our programs and services, Building Futures is seeing a significant unmet need for mental health and drug and alcohol support.
3. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS OFTEN UNKNOWN OR UNSEEN ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE, WHICH WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND? Along with access to adequate housing and health care, the individuals and families Building Futures serves need compassion and time to heal. The trauma of homelessness and domestic violence doesn’t end when a person or family is sheltered or housed.