 The
Board of Supervisors proclaimed November 15 to November 23 as National Hunger
and Homelessness Awareness Week. Last week, we recognized that hunger and
homelessness continues to be a serious problem for many people throughout the
County, and promoted awareness and educated the public about the reasons that cause
people to be without food and/or shelter. During the holiday season, we ask for Alameda County
residents to show solidarity, compassion and support to people who live in
poverty and are in need of food and housing.
This
holiday season, I would like to highlight some organizations that are doing
great work to combat hunger and homelessness in District 2, and encourage you
to join their efforts.
Abode
Services is an organization that develops and implements programs to end
homelessness. They are a lead practitioner of Housing First, which recognizes
that someone who is homeless needs a permanent home first before they address
other areas of instability in their lives. Abode Services relies on the help of
many community volunteers to provide services to participants at their shelter
and other programs. Some roles include: preparing meals, tutoring and leading
children’s activities, helping out at special events, and more. If you would
like more information on how to volunteer, please click here.
South
Hayward Parish’s mission is to engage people of faith in building and
maintaining a just and nurturing community. Their community ministry includes
emergency food programs, a community action network, a family resource
collective, and a public witness and education program. For more information on
how you can help the South Hayward Parish, please click here.
Viola Blythe in Newark and Centro
de Servicios in Union City both provide food distribution and assistance with
immediate needs. These organizations help provide clothing, bedding and
referral services to homeless and low-income families.
As we celebrate this time of giving and remembering to give back to those in need, the District 2 office wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday season!
Sincerely,
 This month's spotlight we highlight
the Alameda County Deputy Sheriff’s Activities League (DSAL) and their state
and nationally recognized program, Dig Deep Farms & Produce.
The non-profit, DSAL was
formed in 2005 to build relationships with citizens to identify and resolve
neighborhood issues. By improving the local neighborhoods, DSAL believes that building
community ownership will deter crime.
In 2010, Dig Deep Farms was founded with less than an acre of land. The goal is to create a
$5 million operation, by growing fresh, healthy, and affordable local produce to
feed Alameda County residents. The farms began in the communities of Ashland
and Cherryland, as Deputies saw community gardens and farming as a way to create
jobs and reduce recidivism. For those coming out of jail, Dig Deep Farms offers
four-to-eight week internships, providing a daily workplace where participation
and involvement is valued. Interns and employees have the opportunity to be
productive, gain new skills and network to find permanent jobs while linking
with social services. Currently, Dig Deep Farms has ten interns and seven
full-time employees.
Dig Deep Farms has
expanded its farmland to six acres, growing organic fruits and vegetables,
including planting 500 fruit trees. Planted on land in the San Leandro hills
near the Alameda County Juvenile Justice facility, the trees are expected to be
harvest-ready in three years. DSAL has also formed a partnership with the
Masonic Homes of Union City, and has made plans for future farmlands on their
land for produce.
In addition to providing
job opportunities, Dig Deep Farms has also brought nutritional choices to
neighborhoods deprived of fresh fruits and vegetables. Dig Deep Farms offers a
grocery bag of fresh produce for weekly pickup at locations in Oakland, Castro
Valley, and at Chabot College in Hayward. Dig Deep also has a weekly food stand
at four Alameda County Social Services Agency locations in Oakland and Hayward,
where customers can purchase a variety of produce.
For more information
about food stand locations and delivery services, visit www.digdeepfarmsproduce.org.
We commend DSAL and Dig Deep Farms for their continued work in innovative job opportunities and providing nutritional benefits to our community!
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 Please
join us as we celebrate the holidays on Thursday, December 4 at the District 2
Office at 24301 Southland Drive, Suite 101 in Hayward.
Refreshments
and light appetizers will be provided.
In
the spirit of the season, District 2 respectfully requests each attendee to
donate a new book (for all ages) that will go to a family in need. All
donations will be distributed to FESCO or SAVE.
To
RSVP please contact the office at (510) 272-6692 or District2@acgov.org
 Alameda
County Community Food Bank started its Holiday Food and Fund Drive on October 1,
2014 and will continue until January 31, 2015. There are multiple ways for you,
your company, or your local organization, to get involved.
Start a
Virtual Food Drive
A
Virtual Food Drive helps the Food Bank purchase the most needed items, while
saving precious resources. For every $1 donated the Food Bank distributes $6
worth of food!
Start a Food Drive
Give
friends, co-workers, or patrons, a convenient and easy place to donate
non-perishable items by hosting one or more of the Food Bank’s iconic
collection barrels at your place of business.
If you spot one of the Food Bank’s
collection barrels please donate:
- Peanut butter
- Canned meat & fish
- Rice and beans
- Pasta and sauce
- Low-sodium soups
- Low-sugar cereal
Please no glass containers!
For
more information on how to help the Alameda County Community Food Bank visit www.accfb.org.
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 Alameda
County Library will again be providing drop-in assistance to consumers who want
information or enrollment help with Covered California, before the February 15,
2015 Open Enrollment deadline. The assistance will be provided by Covered CA
certified educators and enrollers, and is free and confidential.
Are
you ready to enroll or have questions? You can find answers and sign up at
these Alameda County Library locations, located in District 2:
Union City Library
34007
Alvarado-Niles Road
(510)
745-1464
Sundays:
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
12/7,
12/21, 1/4, 1/18, 2/1, 2/15
Newark Library
6300
Civic Terrace Avenue
(510)
795-2627
Tuesdays:
3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
12/9,
12/23, 1/13, 1/27, 2/10
Fremont Main Library
2400
Stevenson Boulevard
(510)
745-1401
Saturdays:
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
12/13,
12/27, 1/10, 1/24, 2/7
For
enrollment requirements, other information, or additional participating
libraries, visit Alameda County Library’s online resources at: guides.aclibrary.org/health. Additional
event locations, dates and times throughout California can be found at: www.CoveredCA.com/events.
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 Please
volunteer with Alameda County’s 2015 Homeless Count. Every two years, a Homeless
Count is conducted in Alameda County to measure the progress towards ending
homelessness and preserve $27 million of crucial funding for homeless services.
EveryOne Home is a non-profit organization that coordinates Alameda County’s
plan to end homelessness and conducts the Homeless Count. The next Homeless
Count will be January 29, 2015.
350 volunteers are needed to make the
Homeless Count possible!
What:
- Interview randomly selected people at food
pantries, hot meal programs, and drop in centers throughout the County
- EveryOne Home will provide surveys and training
for all volunteers
- Surveys take 10-15 minutes for each participant
Who:
- Anyone with an interest in helping to end
homelessness in Alameda County
- No experience in the field is necessary
- Must be 18 years or older
- Participants from previous years are encouraged
to volunteer again
Where:
- There are 35 sites throughout Alameda County
- Volunteers will be notified of their site
assignment on Wednesday, January 21, 2015
- EveryOne Home will work to match volunteers
to sites in their preferred cities
When:
- The Count will be all day on Thursday, January
29, 2015
- Training dates are available from January 6 to 17
-
Various shifts are available throughout the day
with a limited number of evening slots possible
Email
questions and request to: info@everyonehome.org.
For more information about the work of EveryOne Home please visit www.EveryOneHome.org.
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The
Board of Supervisors encourage citizen involvement and expertise through a
variety of boards and commissions, to advise them on a wide range of issues
affecting their constituencies and to assure they are responsive to community
needs. District Two currently has a vacancy on the following Commission:
 The
Commission includes 9 members who are appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
The Alameda County Housing and Community Development Advisory Board define the
needs relating to funding projects of the Federal Housing and Community
Development Act. Members may serve a maximum of three four-year appointed terms. Meetings
are generally held on the second Tuesday of odd months in Hayward at 7 p.m.
To Apply:
To
apply to serve as a District Two appointee, please submit a cover letter
explaining why you are interested in the position, and include a copy of your
resume. Please forward the information to Ginny DeMartini at Ginny.DeMartini@acgov.org
or call (510) 259-1097.
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