| Dear Friends,
It is my pleasure to update you on the work I have been doing to make Alameda County an even better place to call home.
In this edition you can read about Census 2020, my work to seat the Eden Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) and my support for Alameda County's local food economy.
You can also learn about my work to develop an Action Plan for the city of Alameda's early learning community, pass the Tobacco Retail Licensing (TRL) and flavored tobacco ban ordinance, and much more.
It is an honor to serve you. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any comments, questions or concerns that you may have regarding the district or Alameda County.
Sincerely,
 Wilma Chan
Supervisor, Third District
Protecting Our Immigrant Communities
On January 27th, the Supreme Court lifted the nationwide injunction to the Trump Administration’s Public Charge rule, allowing the rule to take effect. The Department of Homeland Security has worked swiftly to implement the Public Charge rule on Monday, February 24, 2020.
Anyone concerned about this ruling should seek qualified immigration advice.
 Alameda County continues to denounce this cruel and inhumane ruling. While I am disheartened by the Supreme Court’s decision, the County is prepared to continue fighting for the rights of our immigrant and refugee communities. I encourage you to empower yourself with accurate information by visiting the Social Services Agency’s Immigration Resources webpage.
Resources:
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Screening Web tool: https://www.keepyourbenefitsca.org/en / org
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Screening Text tool: 650-3768006 Text “benefits” (for English) , “libre” (for Spanish), “福利” (Chinese) or “lợiích” (Vietnamese)
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One CA Public Charge provider list
Supporting Our Youngest Learners
As part of a community-led effort, more than 80,000 signatures were gathered to qualify Measure C, the Children’s Health and Child Care Initiative for Alameda County, for the March 3, 2020 ballot.
If approved by voters, Measure C would create a 20-year, county-wide, half percent (0.5%) sales tax, raising an estimated $150 million per year to provide Alameda County children with expanded access to free and low-cost health care and emergency room services and improved access to affordable child care, prioritizing high-need families. There will be independent audits and oversight, and the funds will stay in Alameda County. Click here for the full text of the ordinance.
Census 2020: Our Community Counts.
Our Community Belongs.
 Census 2020 begins on March 12! Please make sure that you and every adult, child, and baby you live with are counted so our community gets the federal resources and political representation we deserve. Alameda County has invested $1.5 million dollars into hundreds of stakeholder organizations throughout the county to work with our “Hard-to-Count” populations.
Census 2020 by the Numbers:
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$800 Billion = how much federal funding distributed
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$10,000 = how much each Alameda County resident counted brings back to their our community’s schools, roads and hospitals
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9 = number of questions asked (including race, age, gender of all residents living at your address)
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15 = number of minutes it will take to complete Census 2020
The Census will not ask you to share any sensitive information, like your social security number or immigration status. The information that you supply for the Census is completely confidential and cannot be shared with law enforcement agency. It is illegal for the Census bureau to release your information.
For more information about Census assistance in your community please go to www.acgov.org/census2020.
Earn It! Keep It! Save It!
I am excited to once again host the Alameda County Social Services Agency’s (SSA) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program at my District Office in San Lorenzo. This beneficial program provides free certified tax preparation for low- to moderate-income families and individuals, helping them maximize their Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Last year, at my District Office site alone, the VITA program helped nearly 580 community members save nearly $225,600 and over $27,500 in federal and state EITC!
The VITA program is running now through April 15, 2020 on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Appointments are REQUIRED at all sites! To schedule your appointment or check eligibility for VITA services, visit SSA’s website: https://alamedasocialservices.org/eitc.cfm
San Lorenzo VITA Hours and Location
Wednesdays, 5:30 - 8:30pm
Saturdays, 9:00am - 4:00pm
15903 Hesperian Blvd
San Lorenzo, CA 94580
Eden MAC Update
On January 14th, the Eden Area Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) held its first-ever meeting at the San Lorenzo Library! This seven-member advisory body represents the unincorporated areas of San Lorenzo, Ashland, Cherryland, and Hayward Acres on matters of community importance such as land use and economic development.
My appointees to the MAC are Donald Clowser and Diane Wydler of San Lorenzo, Dr. Jennifer Ong of unincorporated Hayward, and Eva Poon of Ashland. Supervisor Nate Miley has appointed Tyler Dragoni of Ashland, Jennifer Esteen of Ashland, and Michael Freed of Cherryland. During the MAC’s first meeting, the members elected Dr. Jennifer Ong as Chair and Michael Freed as Vice-Chair.
The MAC will meet at the San Lorenzo Library on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 PM. If you would like more information about the MAC and its meetings, please contact Jared Savas at jared.savas@acgov.org or 510-278-0731.
Celebrating the Holidays in San Lorenzo
In December, I was pleased to welcome over 50 community members at my Annual Holiday Celebration! This festive evening was spent meeting new neighbors and celebrating the holidays with seasonal decorations, arts and crafts, and refreshments. I would like to thank the San Lorenzo Library for once again helping make this event a success.
I was also proud to once again support the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association’s (SLVHA) annual Christmas Party. Congratulations to the SLVHA on another successful holiday event where community residents enjoyed seasonal refreshments and a visit from Santa!
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Spreading Holiday Cheer in District 3
 Every year, I host a toy and book drive benefitting low-income preschool students throughout District 3. Before the holiday break, I enjoyed spending the morning with the Kidango students at Royal Sunset High School in Hayward Acres for the annual toy giveaway. In addition to the Kidango classes, the toy drive benefitted the classes at Lockwood Child Development Center and Garfield Elementary School’s Head Start and transitional Kindergarten. Thanks to the donations from the District 3 community, a total of 125 children were able to receive a toy and a book this holiday season.
These child care centers provide valuable education programs for families who may not otherwise be able to afford it, offering children an opportunity to be fully prepared for kindergarten. Thank you to the many District 3 residents, commissioners, Alameda County staff, and community organizations for your generous donations this holiday season.
Alameda’s Year of the Young Child
Last year, I led partners at the Alameda Collaborative for Children, Youth and their Families (ACCYF) through the First 5 Alameda County’s Early Learning Community Network (ELCN) workshops. During the ELCN workshops, the team developed an Early Learning Action Plan to support young children, their families, and their providers in the City of Alameda. I am pleased to share that the Alameda ELCN successfully applied for a $135,000 grant to implement the Early Learning Action Plan – which they have named “Alameda’s Year of the Young Child – over the course of the next year and a half.
I am excited for the kick-off of Alameda’s Year of the Young Child, which will include support for families with children aged 0-5 in an effort to build a pipeline to kindergarten readiness. This project will bring information and resources to support young children out to families through a Mobile Family Resource Center, connect with families through a child’s early development to ensure they are ready for kindergarten, and raise awareness throughout the Alameda community on the importance of early child care providers and educators.
Fall County Update
 Last November, I was excited to host my fall County Update at the San Lorenzo Library. This semi-annual informational event provides important information on upcoming programs and initiatives impacting residents in our part of the Unincorporated Areas.
The fall update included presentations by Terry Demmon of the Village Green Apartments project in San Lorenzo, Art Carrera from Alameda County Public Works Agency, and a staff report on the formation of the Eden Area Municipal Advisory Council. Matt DeLima, the County’s preferred developer, made the feature presentation on his proposal for the reuse of the Lorenzo Theater.
Mr. DeLima is a San Lorenzo native, graduate of Arroyo High School, and owner/operator of eight highly successful restaurants featuring live entertainment throughout Northern California. His proposal for developing the site would transform the Lorenzo Theater into a restaurant that will also feature live performances and other forms of entertainment. He has pledged to make this space available to the community and contribute some proceeds to San Lorenzo’s school system. Join me in welcoming Matt DeLima back to San Lorenzo! I look forward to working with him to once again make the Lorenzo Theater the heart of this community.
Tobacco Retail Licensing and Flavored Tobacco Ban Ordinance Adopted
I am proud to have authored one of the strongest and most comprehensive tobacco retail licensing (TRL) ordinances in both California and the entire nation. The ordinance, adopted by the Board of Supervisors’ on January 14th, bans certain tobacco products that encourage youth consumption in the County’s unincorporated areas and requires all tobacco retailers in these areas to obtain a license to sell tobacco products. The ordinance will go into effect on April 13th, with the flavored tobacco ban becoming effective on July 5th.
Earlier this month, the Eden Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) heard an overview of the adopted TRL ordinance. The MAC also discussed a proposed ban on Electronic Smoking Devices (ESD) and unanimously voted to recommend the Board of Supervisors adopt the ordinance.
ALL IN Alameda County Update
 I was proud to join ALL IN Alameda County, the Deputy Sheriff’s Activities League (DSAL), Dig Deep Farms, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), and the Alameda County Probation Department (ACPD) at the grand opening of the Dig Deep Farms Food Hub in Ashland! In January, hundreds of residents, Alameda County staff, and community advocates gathered together at the ribbon cutting to celebrate and tour this exciting new facility. The Dig Deep Farms Food Hub is an innovative, community-led building and will provide a variety of programs and services to support the local food economy, provide healthy food to food insecure families, and offer employment opportunities to formerly incarcerated individuals in Alameda County.
Fighting for Health Care for ALL
Effective January 1, 2020, the State of California extended Medi-Cal benefits to eligible young adults ages 19-25 regardless of immigration status. Alameda County Social Services Agency has been actively working to reach young adults that may be newly eligible for Medi-Cal. Click here to learn more about the Medi-Cal Program and ways to apply.
Upcoming Events
San Leandro Public Library Census 2020 Information Session
Saturday, March 14; 2:00 PM-4:00 PM
San Leandro Public Library
300 Estudillo Ave., San Leandro, CA
RSVP: jsahota@alamedahealthconsoritum.org
I invite you to join me, the Alameda Health Consortium, Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center, and the City of San Leandro for a FREE 2020 Census information session to learn more about what a complete count means for our community.
Alameda Youth Jobs and Career Fair
Thursday, March 19; 2:30 PM-4:30 PM
Alameda High School Patton (Historic) Gym
2200 Central Ave., Alameda, CA
I invite you to join me, the City of Alameda, and the Alameda Unified School District at the 6th Annual Youth Jobs and Career Fair where over 40 local employers will be available to discuss career training and summer jobs with high school students throughout the city of Alameda.
What the Heck is a Census?
Monday, March 23; 6:30 PM-7:30 PM
San Lorenzo Library
395 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo, CA
The San Lorenzo Library invites you to join them for a short presentation about the upcoming Census and find out how this event impacts you and your community. This presentation will introduce community members to the importance of this effort, answer common questions, and clear up any concerns or misconceptions. No RSVP is required and light refreshments will be served.
City of Alameda Fair Housing Event
Thursday, April 16; 10 AM-3 PM
Alameda Free Library
1550 Oak St., Alameda, CA
RSVP: cityprosecutor@alamedacityattorney.org
I invite you to join me along with the Mayor and City Attorney of Alameda for an informative panel on fair housing rights for tenants. Topics will include information on renter protections, such as "Just Cause" eviction ordinances, rent stabilization, and mandates for safe and livable housing conditions. Following the panels, tenant attorney from Centro Legal will be providing a free consultation clinic.
Spring County Update
May 2020; TBD
San Lorenzo Library
395 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo, CA
Showtime in San Lorenzo
Saturday, September 19; Time TBD
Lorenzo Theater
Hesperian Blvd., San Lorenzo, CA
Save the Date for the 2020 Showtime in San Lorenzo! Join me, the Community Development Agency, the San Lorenzo Library, the Eden Area Chamber of Commerce, and SLVHA for another fun local vendor fair, car show, and a showing of this year's movie - Toy Story 4!
Community Resources
Boards and Commissions
Are you interested in serving Alameda County and District 3? There are currently several openings to become a District 3 representative. Learn more at www.acgov.org/clerk/bcc.htm. Applications, including a cover letter and resume, can be submitted to District3@acgov.org.
Healthy Homes
Lead poisoning, asthma triggers, and safety issues in the home are a serious threat to our children’s health. The Alameda County Healthy Homes Department has services to help low-income residents and property owners make homes safer for young children. Other services include free lead paint repair and free trainings. For more information, visit www.achhd.org.
Project Leadership Series
Childhood lead poisoning, home lead hazards, and safety issues in the home are a serious threat to our families. The Alameda County Healthy Homes Department has services to help low-income residents and property owners make homes healthier and safer. Services include lead outreach and education, case management of lead poisoned children, lead safety trainings and grants for lead paint and minor home repair.
AAA Senior Resource Guide
Alameda County’s Area Agency on Aging website has elder service tips, news, and resources. Click here to visit the website and learn more about resources available to all seniors in Alameda County.
Alameda County Resource Guide
For information and referrals on Alameda County programs, check out our resource guide: http://www.acgov.org/government/documents/ACResourceDirectory.pdf.
Starting a Local Business
Do you want to open a business in Alameda County but don’t know where to begin? Alameda County has two great guides that will help you get started:
- Guide #1: Starting a Business in Alameda County
- Guide #2: Starting a Business in Unincorporated Alameda County
- (Ashland, Castlewood, Castro Valley, Cherryland, Fairview, Happy Valley, Hayward Acres, Hillcrest Knolls, San Lorenzo, and Sunol)
East Bay Connects
Are you connected? East Bay Connects provides access to low-cost broadband for as little as $10 a month. New broadband subscribers can receive a free home computer, free digital literacy training, a year of free tech support, and access to many resources to learn how to use broadband. For more information, call East Bay Connects at (886) 460-7439 or contact James Nixon at (510) 377-7224 or jamesshurdinixon@gmail.com. |
