In this month’s newsletter you’ll learn about upcoming District 2 events, community resources and upcoming meetings.
Happy New Year from District 2!
Although the holiday season has come to a close, let’s take a moment to recognize the joy and generosity of our community:
In December, the District 2 Team hosted our annual Holiday Open House at the Hayward District Office in partnership with City of Hayward Pro Tempore Angela Andrews and Councilmember Julie Roche. Nearly 100 community members attended from across the District and together, we packed the office with donations of toys, baby items and non-perishable food for essential basic needs providers, First Presbyterian Church, Glad Tidings Church, La Familia and the Downtown Streets Team.
Additionally, I was thrilled to partner with the Alameda County Fire Department and Local 55 for the annual “Santa at the Firehouse” at Station 28 in Newark. The community’s cheer rang from every corner of the station from live music to the arts & crafts table to the holiday toy drive that fortunately was saved from the Grinch!
 
However, the “spirit of the season” cannot be limited to one or even two months.
Alameda County is the safety-net 365 days of the year, including for the 300,000+ county residents living in District 2 which encompasses the cities of Hayward, Newark, Union City and portions of Fremont. As we head into 2024, housing, homelessness, and public safety are at the forefront of my priorities.
Here are three ways we can work together to address these critical issues for the region:
While January is off to a fast start locally, California Governor Gavin Newsom will also soon release his proposed state budget for the upcoming 2024-25 fiscal year that will include funding recommendations with potential impacts to Alameda County programs and services. As we learn more about the state’s fiscal priorities as well as challenges, I will continue to “Connect, Engage, and Serve” the residents of District 2 in this critical annual process and other important public decision-making arenas.
Until then, please know that it is never too late to give yourself and/or your loved ones the gift of health; click here for a list of Alameda County Community Vaccination Clinics and other Public Health Department resources for staying well this winter season.
Wishing you a Happy and Healthy 2024,
 Join Supervisors David Haubert and Elisa Márquez on Monday, January 8 from 6:30pm - 8pm at the Fremont Library at 2400 Stevenson Blvd to learn and share your thoughts about a possible $10 to $20 billion Bay Area-wide affordable housing bond sponsored by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) for the November 2024 ballot.
If approved by the voters, the regional bond will provide billions of dollars for the construction of an estimated 45,000 affordable homes, serving over 500,000 residents over the coming decades. This measure will also raise billions for preservation of existing affordable housing and ensure protection for at-risk tenants. General obligation bonds are funded through property taxes, so a $10 billion bond would place a tax of $10.26 on $100,000 in assessed value—or about $100 per year for a million-dollar home.
The Alameda County Board of Supervisors District offices are partnering with the County Housing and Community Development Department on public information and input sessions.
 As part of Alameda County Housing & Community Development's commitment to equity and community engagement, we are surveying you and your neighbors on how your community has been impacted by high housing costs and your priorities for tackling issues and building a better future.
You'll find the survey, and other important information about housing in Alameda County, on the NEW HCD website: housingneedsac.org. Scan the QR Code or go to: housingneedsac.org/take-the-survey/ and take the Community Needs Assessment Survey.
 Are you looking to volunteer or help out in your community? The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is a county-wide count of all people experiencing #homelessness during a 24-hour period. The next PIT Count will be held on Thursday Jan. 25, 5am-10am.
How can you help?
1. Volunteer - Volunteer opportunities to administer surveys are available throughout Alameda County, but there is a high need in Unincorporated County.
2. Encampment Identification - For those who can't volunteer, the app called "Counting Us" allows users to "drop pins" and give estimates of people experiencing homelessness in the community. Reporting takes 2-clicks and is a crucial first step in identifying the locations that volunteers will be visiting.
To see data from the 2022PIT Count, visit the Interactive Data Dashboard.
 The Alameda County Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Division wants your input to help strengthen its mental health and wellness programs to better serve you and your community over the next year.
Alameda County Behavioral Health Services invites you to take the Community Input Survey for the Alameda County Mental Health Services Act FY 24/25 Update.
Contribute Ideas about how to improve the county’s mental health services
SURVEY IS AVAILABLE IN THREE LANGUAGES:
For more information go to acmhsa.org
 After the busy holiday season, it’s important to remain vigilant and prepare for the various winter driving conditions. Avoid driving in severe weather, and if you must head out, here are some safety tips:
- Plan ahead, know your route, and give yourself plenty of time in case of heavy traffic.
- Drive at or below the speed limit. Roads may be slippery or have unforeseen hazards. Regardless of rain and snow events, with lower overnight temperatures, roads may be icy.
- Drive with a safe following distance between you and the vehicle ahead.
- Don’t forget to turn on your headlights in the rain.
- Check tire pressure! Over-inflated tires reduce grip. Under-inflated tires may result in serious aquaplaning.
- Make sure your windshield wipers are working. Replace worn-out wipers before driving in the rain.
- Ensure your windshield is clear of grease or grime inside and out, which helps reduce glare.
- Don’t drive with your windows frosted or fogged up. Wait until they clear before leaving home. A quick way to de-fog your windows is to open a window to let cool air in. Otherwise, try placing a dry towel on the outside of your windshield overnight. It will absorb any ice or frost that might’ve formed so you can remove the towel in the morning before you head out.
- Turn around, don’t drown! Do not drive into flooded areas.
For more tips, including driving in the snow, visit the California Office of Traffic Safety's (OTS) website.
 Learn self defense skills at the Self Defense Seminar with Mark Gothard hosted by Newark Recreation and Community Services, Newark Senior Center, and Community Ambassador Program for Seniors (CAPS). In this free 2 hours seminar, student will learn different strikes and effective combinations to escape common grabs, situational awareness, and some basic tools to keep them safe in the real world. Water and ample breaks will be provided.
Date: Wednesday, January 10
Time: 10am - 12pm
Where: Clark W. Redeker Newark Senior Center (7401 Enterprise Dr. Newark)
Price: Free
 Join us on Wednesday, January 10 from 4:30pm-5:30pm at the Union City Library (34007 Alvarado-Niles Road) for an inclusive music making experience designed for children with special needs, open to children of all abilities! Explore social connections through music and play. Participants will have access to a variety of percussion instruments while being invited to play, sing and dance along. Sessions will be carefully tailored by Board Certified Music Therapist, Gabrielle Sipin. Recommended for ages 4 and above.
*A caregiver must be present with each child throughout the program.*
Please register with the name of the participant(s).
For questions or accommodation requests, please contact Polina at prubanova@aclibrary.org or 510-745-1464, ext. 6.
 If you're a photographer or a graphic artist, we have the perfect project for you! Create a design for one of Fremont’s traffic signal control boxes. The theme is "Sustainability," and the deadline for submissions has been extended to Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at 12:00 pm. A $500 stipend is available for selected designs.
Learn more and apply here.
Hayward will pay tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a program of music and song, a community-award recognition, and a keynote address by musical educator Professor Silvester Henderson starting at 4:30pm on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 at the Reed L. Buffington Visual & Performing Arts Center on the Chabot College campus.
The annual Hayward celebration is sponsored by the Hayward South Alameda County NAACP, Chabot College, the City of Hayward and Hayward Unified School District.
Event keynote speaker Professor Henderson is a nationally recognized professor, educator, conference motivational speaker, business owner, real estate investor, community artistic organizer, musician and artist, conductor and internet blog personality.
In addition to Professor Henderson’s keynote address, there will be performances by Palma Ceia Baptist Church Singers, the Hayward High School Jazz Band and the Chabot College Choir.
The event is open to the public and will not require a ticket.
 On November 11, 2017, the Veterans Memorial Park was inaugurated, featuring a central granite monument encircled by 1,200 brick pavers that pays tribute to all six branches of the military. These bricks are a unique way to honor a beloved military member, past or present.
If you're interested in contributing to the beautification of the memorial park through the purchase of a personalized commemorative brick, please email Biz-license@UnionCity.org or order by phone with the City of Union City at (510) 675-5312.
You can also find the order form here.
 The City of Fremont is partnering with Bay Area Community Services (BACS) to ask for donations of needed items for the unhoused. Requests for needed items are high, especially with the recent rainy weather.
If you would like to support our unhoused neighbors, please review our updated needs list for more information. Donated items will be shared across programs to ensure they get to all those who need them quickly. Drop off locations and times have been added to making donating more convenient. Contact Paula at PManczuk-Hannay@fremont.gov if you have any questions.
 Boards and Commissions - District 2 Openings for Residents of Hayward (incorporated), Union City, Newark and portions of Fremont.
To qualify, you must either live or work in District 2.
For Further Information, contact Ginny DeMartini, ginny.demartini@acgov.org and/or 510.670.6150. Please send a resume and request an application.
Read about the Commissions – https://www.acgov.org/bnc/#/board
1. Consumer Affairs Commission
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Objective: Established to improve the business climate in Alameda County, educate the citizenry, and advise the Board of Supervisors regarding issues that affect the quality of life for everyone.
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Term: 2 years
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Meetings: 2nd Thursday of each month from 4pm - 6pm
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Location: Board Conference Room, 1221 Oak Street, Oakland
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Qualifications:Must be a resident of Alameda County and must reside in District 2.
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District 2: One opening available to district 2 residents
2. Human Relations Commission
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Objective: Create an environment in which each person may realize the highest potential unhampered by any discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, immigrant status, gender, age actual or perceived sexual orientation and mental or physical feasibilities protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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Established: Feb. 4, 1964
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Term: 3 years
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Location: Eden Area Multi-Service Center, 24100 Amador St, 3rd floor, Hayward 94544
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Meetings: 4th Wednesday of each month at 6pm
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Qualifications: District 2 residents interested in social justice. 1 opening
3. Public Health Commission
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Objective: To review and assess emerging health needs; initiate and improve health and disease prevention programs and policies; make recommendation s regarding opportunities for building community capacity as related to public health priorities; and advocate for adequate resources and increased County action to improve community health.
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Agency: Health Care Services Agency
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Location: 1000 Broadway, Suite 500 Oakland CA 94607
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Term: 2 years
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Meetings: Commission meetings shall be held monthly for a total of 12 monthly meetings per calendar year.
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Qualifications: The PHC membership is open to all Alameda County 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.
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District 2: One opening available to District 2 residents
211 Alameda County: 211alamedacounty.org
Alameda County Housing Portal: Affordable Housing Rentals
Alameda County Housing Secure: Tenant and Landlord Housing Resources
Alameda County Social Services Agency (SSA): Medi-Cal Enrollment
Alameda County Employment Openings: www.acgov.org/careers.htm
Board of Supervisors Meetings: Information on how to participate in public comment is available on the LIVE Broadcasts page on the Board of Supervisors' website.
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