 Greetings,
I hope each and every one of you is healthy and well. It’s been a few months between newsletters. District 2 and Alameda County have been hard at work resuming pre-pandemic activities like the Niles Canyon Stroll & Roll, celebrating the City of Newark’s Civic Center Grand Opening, celebrating and giving back to James Logan High students, and continuing to provide COVID-19 supports along with essential county safety-net services.
In May the County’s Point in Time Homelessness Count was completed for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19. The Board of Supervisors also endorsed the Home Together 2026 Community Plan, a 5-year strategic initiative that lays out goals, strategies and investments needed to dramatically reduce homelessness and center racial equity. The Plan details specific strategies and action steps that were informed by an extensive community input process which included participation from system leaders, homeless program participants, service providers and partners in the homelessness response system, and people with lived experience to learn what works and what doesn’t work in our current homeless response system. The Plan identifies the strategies and activities to operationalize the recommendations and address the findings detailed in the Centering Racial Equity in Homeless System Design report.
As we move into the Summer months, with kids out of school, travel, barbeques, baseball games, and other summer fun please take care of yourself, each other, and our environment. Your District 2 Office will remain committed to working with all community partners to continue to respond to COVID-19 as needed, reopening and returning to services that move us more toward pre-COVID times, and addressing the many, many important items to come before the Board of Supervisors. Read more below about some of the projects we’ve been working on and upcoming opportunities.
Sincerely,
Richard Valle
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In 2016, Alameda County adopted a 10-year aspirational framework and goals called Vision 2026. Our Vision for 2026 recognizes that eliminating homelessness, poverty and hunger, having accessible infrastructure, and healthcare and employment for all are key steps to creating a healthy, safe, livable, and a resilient county for our residents. In 2018, Supervisor Valle Enhancing Vision 2026 proposal (see page 27) to create a special fund of $5 million per year ($1 million per supervisorial district) to support efforts that work toward our Vision 2026 was approved by the Board of Supervisors. The Enhancing Vision 2026 fund supports programs and services for children, youth, and families throughout Alameda County. |
One of the recipients of the District 2 Enhancing Vision 2026 grant is Math/Science Nucleus (MSN). This nonprofit serves as an online science resource center to assist school districts, teachers, and administrators around the world. Locally, MSN manages a natural history museum in the City of Fremont for schools and the general public to learn about natural sciences. Launching their grant program in 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic required adjustments from in-person to virtual lessons.
MSN originally planned to provide natural history lessons to students at two schools in the New Haven Unified School District (NHUSD); the pivot to virtual allowed them to reach all elementary schools in the district. Over 4,320 students in all of NHUSD elementary schools received two lessons for each grade that meet the Next Generation Science Standards and District science standards as well as District health and social studies standards. Lessons were developed to have live scientists lead students through concepts with a PowerPoint presentation. These presentations lasted 50 minutes with 10 minutes for questions and answer. Animated GIFs and recorded video from Masonic Homes, Tule Ponds and Children’s Natural History Museum kept students, teachers, and parents engaged and interested. The presentations and lessons are archived on MSN’s website for future teacher and class use. Additionally, MSN was able to purchase equipment and begin site preparation at Masonic Homes Compost and Reforestation Project site. These improvements will enable field trips to the project site for hands on lessons with NHUSD elementary classes.
The District 2 Office appreciates and thanks MSN’s Board President, Dr. Joyce Blueford, and all of Math Science Nucleus for their amazing work to make natural history, earth science, and sustainable projects accessible to District 2 students.
 Alameda County’s COVID response strategy is based on the latest COVID-19 data and in
consultation with community partners.
- We are focusing on mobile and in-home vaccination and prioritizing vaccination strategies
that are proven to be more successful at reaching unvaccinated residents and remove
additional barriers to access.
- We strongly encourage everyone eligible to get vaccinated and boosted against COVID19 noting vaccine and boosters help prevent severe illness that can result in
hospitalization and death.
Alameda County’s youth-created COVID website – COVID Chats – is live.
- This youth-created site provides information about COVID-19, vaccines, and other ways
to stay safe from COVID-19.
- The site is beneficial for youth peer educators, schools, districts, and other youth-serving
organizations that work in education and outreach with youth.
June is Pride Month and Men’s Health Month.
- This month we celebrate Pride Month by elevating conversations surrounding sexual
orientation and gender identity, and give thanks to the people who fought tirelessly for
LGBTQ+ rights Pride Month also highlights the importance of equity, diversity, and
inclusion.
- June is Men’s Health Month, which focuses on promoting ways that men can take charge
of their overall health by implementing healthy lifestyle choices. It’s crucial for men to get regular checkups and be aware of the risks related to their age,
ethnicity, and lifestyle.
 Save the Date for Science in the Park 2022
Science in the Park is coming back on Saturday, October 1, 2022. Save the date and come enjoy the day at Cal State East Bay discovering STEM fields of studies through fun activities by local teachers and organizations. Although the event will be at a different location this year, we'll still have our signature activities such as the egg drop, water rockets, robotics, animal encounters, and much more! Visit www.scienceinthepark.org for more information.
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This is a special month for numerous reasons. District 2 would like to highlight a special program - our Raising Leaders youth initiative. Starting in Hayward, the program has now expanded countywide and raised over $3.5 millions for Raising Leaders workshops and internships. |
On Saturday June, 18, 80 students are graduating from the program and 73 of them will go on to paid internships across 62 agencies and departments across Alameda County and its partnering city departments.
Alumni Gives Back at Logan High School
A few months ago, local community parent and organizer, Sue Chen, invited Supervisor Richard Valle to speak to the sophomore class of James Logan High School at the inaugural Alumni Gives Back Program. On May 9 and May 10, Alumni Gives Back took over the James Logan Performing Arts Center as Supervisor Valle presented to the class of 2024 on his life story and the ways he strives to give back to his beloved community.
Thank you Sue Chen and Principle Polk for granting us the opportunity to share with and inspire the youth of our community!
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Stroll & Roll Highlights
On Sunday, May 1, Stroll & Roll took place once again at Niles Canyon. Thank you to the 10,000+ people who came out and to all our partnering organizations who made this another spectacular event. Stroll & Roll is a recurring event highlighting the efforts of creating a Class 1 trail through Niles Canyon/ Highway 84.
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Visit www.84strollroll.com to learn more about the proposed trail and get info on the next Stroll & Roll!
Newark Civic Center Grand Opening
The City of Newark celebrated the grand opening of its brand new civic center on Saturday, May 14. In addition to a new city hall and police station, Newark celebrated its new library, which we are proud to have contributed $100,000 to. The new facilities were a community effort through Measure GG. Learn more about the grand opening here.
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 The Public Health Department is planning to host two virtual community forums on the status of HIV on June 23rd at 5pm. The purpose of the forums is to share data on the state of HIV and to discuss ideas around how to expand and improve the quality of services to people living with or impacted by HIV. Alameda County is the grantee for the Ryan White Oakland Transitional Grant Area (OTGA), which includes both Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Therefore, the forums will be attended by people from both counties.
Please register to the forum at: https://tinyurl.com/ogta-june23
 Come celebrate World Refugee and Immigrant Day at the free family event! See info below and plan accordingly.
Date: Saturday, June 18, 2022
Time: 4pm-7pm
Location: Clinton Park, 655 International Blvd., Oakland, CA
Free & Open to the Public!
- Resource booths
- COVID-19 Tests & Vaccines available
- Cultural Entertainment
- Children’s Activities
- Foods – Ethnic
- Give Aways for Children
 Fire season is around the corner. Make sure you are taking steps to fire proof your home!
Here are some recommendations from emergency officials:
- Use noncombustible materials like gravel, pavers and concrete within 5 feet of a home.
- Clear leaves, pine needles, and other debris from the roof and gutters.
- Remove combustible fencing, gates and arbors that touch the house.
- Install gutter guards to prevent the accumulation of leaves and debris.
- Use ember- and flame-resistant vents on the house, and plug any gaps that are greater than 1/8 inch in your siding.
- Replace damaged boards, including those with dry rot.
- Trim tree branches away from structures, and remove lower limbs within 100 feet.
- Move patio furniture away from the house.
For more resources, visit https://www.fire.ca.gov/resources/
 Did you know you have local no-cost options to recycle your mattresses? Communities across California have seen an increase in illegal dumping. Let's work to raise awareness of this program in an effort to curb illegal dumping and maximize landfill space.
There are a number of ways to give your mattress new life. Watch this brief video or visit www.byebyemattress to learn more.
¡Los colchones son reciclables! Hay varias formas de dar una nueva vida a su colchón sin costo alguno. Vea este breve vídeo o visite www.byebyemattress para saber más.
 Summer's here and the outdoor festivities are picking up! It's the perfect time to dust off those bikes and go for a ride. If you are in need of a bike repair specialist or would like to book a mobile bike repair crew for your next summer event, reach out to the BikeMobile.
The BikeMobile is a pilot program managed under Alameda CTC’s Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) program.
The BikeMobile is expected to make up to 275 site visits over two years. Requests for a BikeMobile visit can be made online (http://bike-mobile.org). BikeMobile Fix-a-Thons are pre-arranged using an online signup form at www.bike-mobile.org.
 Alameda County Fire Advisory Commission
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OBJECTIVE - To encourage and create a forum for citizen input, advice and consultation regarding all fire services programs and activities, and the administration of these programs and activities throughout Alameda County.
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ESTABLISHED - Jul 1, 1993
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LOCATION - 6363 Clark Avenue Dublin CA 94568
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Term – 4 years
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MEETINGS - Quarterly (February, May, August, and November) at various locations
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QUALIFICATIONS - Members must be residents of District 2 and the commission is open to any interested resident without regard to background, experience, prior community involvement, ethnicity, religions, or sexual preference. Openings: 1 seat and 1 alternate seat
Alameda County Mental Health Advisory Board
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Objective – review and evaluate the County’s mental health needs, facilities, services and special concerns. Advise on programs and all aspects of the mental health system.
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Term – Three years
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Meetings – Third Monday of the month, 3:00 to 5:00pm, Redwood Conference Room, Creekside Plaza, 1100 San Leandro Blvd, San Leandro
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Qualifications – must be a District 2 resident; looking for a transitional age youth or someone with clinical experience. 1 opening available
Parks, Recreation and Historical Commission
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Objective - Advise on beaches, parks, recreation and historical activities throughout Alameda County. Commissioners will be responsible generally for historical preservation activities in the county, and shall ensure that all historical resources are recognized as such. B. coordinate county historical preservation activities with those of other jurisdictions in the county, and with the state of California.
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Established – 12/8/1964
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Location – 224 West Winton Ave, Room 111, Hayward
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Term – 4 years
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Meetings – First Thursday of every month, 4:30pm in the Public Works Agency, 399 Elmhurst St. Hayward
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Qualifications – District 2 residents in the disciplines of history, architecture, architectural history, Planning, prehistoric and historic archeology, folklore, cultural anthropology, curation, conservation, and landscape architecture or related disciplines, such as American studies, American civilization, engineering, or cultural geography, to the extent that such professionals are available in the community. Commission membership may also include lay members who have demonstrated special interests, knowledge, or competence in historic preservation. One opening available.
Public Health Commission
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Objective - Review and assess emerging health needs; initiate and improve health and disease prevention programs and policies; make recommendations regarding opportunities for building community capacity as relate to public health priorities; and advocate for adequate resources and increased County action to improve community health.
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Term – two years
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Meetings – Monthly, 12 meeting per year
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Qualifications – District 2 residents who are supportive of the improvement of the health and well-being of residents living in Alameda County. New members shall be recruited through an extensive outreach process, taking into consideration PHC's strong commitment to ethnic and geographic diversity.
To inquire about any of the County Boards and Commissions for District 2 residents, please contact Ginny DeMartini, ginny.demartini@acgov.org or 510.670.6150. Thank you!
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