Despite a cold, wet winter month, February is still a time of love and joy for many across Alameda County District 2 and countywide.
This includes celebrating Black History Month, where I was thrilled to recognize Alameda County District 2 City Council leaders, Angela Andrews (City of Hayward), Teresa Cox (City of Fremont), and Desrie Campbell (City of Fremont) for their dedication and ground-breaking achievements which inspire us all to strive for excellence and forge a brighter future together.
More community unity was abounding this month with Lunar New Year 2024 celebrations. In Union City, I had the opportunity to commemorate the Year of the Dragon with Vice Mayor Jeff Wang, Eternity Band, Rotary FUN, local leaders, families and some amazing young artists at Union City’s Kennedy Park.
February is also a time for community care.
It is hard to believe that one year ago, Supervisor Richard Valle left us physically - a profound loss for our community. However, while Supervisor Valle’s leadership was often quiet, I am honored to continue the momentum of his memory.
As we head closer to spring, I am hopeful that the seeds we continue to plant will further cultivate a future where everyone has a safe place to call home.
For my third time, I was proud to volunteer for the federal Point-in-Time Count. This annual effort provides a critical “data snapshot” of homelessness in our community and nationwide to shape program, policy, and funding for our countywide efforts to end homelessness. I was proud to also have recently cast my vote to deploy another $16.5 million, largely using Alameda County’s 2016 Measure A1 Bond funds, to create more affordable permanent supportive housing.
From the halls of government to shovels in the ground, it is a privilege to connect, engage and serve you and your loved ones. Please continue to amplify the love, joy, and vision for your community and Alameda County District 2 with me well beyond February. Together, we are better.
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On January 24, 2024, the Board approved a Standard Services Agreement for South Hayward Parish to provide emergency shelter support services for the retroactive period of 7/1/23 - 6/30/26 for a total amount not to exceed $837,480 (read the full board letter here). District 2 is proud to contribute $150,000 toward this effort in assisting unhoused individuals, who will receive a bed for the night, supportive services, resources, dinner and breakfast. |
South Hayward Parish's shelter has a capacity for 21 adults to sleep overnight. Each guest must pre-register. The shelter will open nightly at 6:30pm and guests must be off campus by 7am the next day.
South Hayward Parish also has a Resource Center that is open M-F 10am - 4pm.
To learn more, visit their website at www.southhaywardparish.org
 Vallejo Mill Historical Park, located at the northeast corner of Niles Canyon Road and Mission Boulevard, is now closed to the public. In July 2023, the Fremont City Council authorized a reconstruction plan for the park that includes the addition of a dog park and four pickleball courts. The park is anticipated to reopen this summer after the construction is complete.
Before closing the park, Fremont City implemented a comprehensive transition plan to assist the unhoused community members living within the park. The plan included outreach, connection to intensive supportive services, temporary shelter placements, and stable housing options. In addition, the Fremont City Council approved an expansion of the City’s Winter Relief program to increase the number of available motel rooms from 30 to 60 to accommodate the estimated number of households living within the park.
Starting in September 2023, Fremont City staff and dedicated community partners—Abode, Bay Area Community Health (BACH), and Bay Area Community Services (BACS)—visited the park multiple times a week to perform individual assessments and start the process of relocating households to available shelter/housing programs. Every household was offered relocation assistance. Approximately 80% of the households were relocated to the City’s Winter Relief program, Housing Navigation Center, or Safe Parking program. Those not receiving assistance decided to leave the park on their own or accept vehicle repair and fuel assistance. Learn more about Fremont's homeless response and resources here.
 The Alameda County Foreclosure Prevention Program (FPP) has recently expanded its eligibility guidelines to provide financial assistance to more Landlords and Homeowners in Alameda County who were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
To be eligible for the FPP grant program, applicants must be Landlords or Homeowners in Alameda County and have experienced financial hardship due to non-rent payments during the pandemic.
As part of the expanded guidelines, FPP is now accepting applications from homeowners/landlords who had a Mortgage Delinquency, Notice of Default or Notice of Sale during the pandemic due to non-rent payments. This includes those who had to borrow against 401ks, retirement accounts, or deplete savings to maintain their properties.
The application deadline is March 31, 2024, and grants of up to $75,000 are available.
To learn more about the program, please visit www.a1chs.org/fpp
This is a down payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers to be used in conjunction with the Dream For All Conventional first mortgage for down payment and/or closing costs.
To learn more, visit the program website and find out how to connect with a CalHFA Approved Lender. Homebuyers will have until this April to find an approved lender and start working on an application. A lottery will open in early April, and buyers will have a month to submit their applications.
 Home Match addresses the hidden struggles of older individuals facing the risk of homelessness by offering proactive solutions and shared living arrangements. Through connecting those with spare rooms to individuals in need, the program provides affordable housing options that ease financial burdens and prevent displacement.
By fostering supportive communities and establishing clear expectations through a "Living Together Agreement," Home Match ensures stable living situations and ongoing support to prevent housing instability among the elderly population. This commitment underscores its role as a lifeline, offering a stable place to call home for everyone.
To learn more about Home Match, call 510-350-4367 or visit their website: www.frontporch.net/homematch
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In January 2024, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) launched the Behavioral Health Virtual Services Platform, which offers two free behavioral health services applications for families with children and young adults ages 0-25.
The platform is part of the state’s CalHOPE program and is supported by funding from the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI).
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The two web- and app-based platforms offer free one-on-one coaching sessions, educational resources, stress management tools, care navigation services, and peer support.
For more information, visit www.calhope.org.
 The Fremont Camp Fair returns to Thornton Middle School on Saturday, March 2 after a successful debut last year with free activities and dozens of exhibitors allowing attendees to view a smorgasbord of camps, enrichment programs, schools, S.T.E.M. and S.T.E.A.M. programs, performing arts, preschools, scouts, educational, sports and other programs available this spring and summer.
There is free admission and free parking for the Fremont Camp Fair inside the spacious Thornton Middle School Gymnasium at 4357 Thornton Ave. in Fremont. The fair is open from 11:00am – 2:00pm.
Fremont Camp Fair is co-presented by ActivityHero and Bay Area Festivals.
The first 225 families arriving at the Camp Fair receive a free Camp Backpack courtesy of sponsor Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, which will have a table for kids’ craft activity and doctors to meet with children and their parents.
There is a free raffle drawing for camps and Bay Area KidFest tickets. Anyone bringing a can of food will receive an extra raffle ticket for each donated can.
Visit Eventbrite for more information and to register your family for a free raffle ticket.
 Do you want to take control of your financial path and rebuild your life?
Narika and YWCA will be hosting financial independence workshop on March 9, from 10 AM to 11:30 AM on Building Financial Foundations.
Using the Allstate Foundation's curriculum, you will learn about a variety of important financial topics
like privacy protection, saving, budgeting, managing debt and improving credit which has proven to help survivors move from short-term safety to long-term security.
To register, please fill out the form here.
 The Union City Youth Commission is hosting its 2nd Annual Culture Fest! Come celebrate the beautiful culture that make up our communities on Saturday, March 16 from 12:00pm - 4:00pm at Kennedy Park (1333 Decoto Road, Union City).
Calling all vendors, performers, and Bay Area community members to come together and celebrate our vibrant cultural diversity while nurturing mutual respect. Let's highlight the richness of our differences and unite in a festive celebration of heritage and tradition.
This is a free event and all are welcomed. Visit the event page here.
 Newark Recreation and Community Services will be hosting it's Family Day at the Park event on Saturday, March 23 from 10:00am - 12:30pm at the Newark Community Center Park (35501 Cedar Blvd). Enjoy a day of fun activities such as egg hunts and egg dying sponsored by Newark Optimist and Newark Rotary. There will also be arts and crafts, games, chalk art, photo booth, resource fair, and more!
For more information, visit the City of Newark's upcoming events webpage.
 Alameda CTC – Community Advisory Boards
Commission Staff: Angie Ayers – aayers@alamedactc.org
You must submit the completed application along with your current resume to District Director, Ginny DeMartini at ginny.demartini@acgov.org or call 510- 670-6150.
1. Independent Watchdog Committee (WC)
- The IWC, listed in the 2000 Measure B Expenditure Plan as the Citizens Watchdog Committee and in the 2014 Measure BB Expenditure Plan as the Independent Watchdog Committee, makes sure Measure B and Measure BB tax dollars are improving transportation in Alameda County, as promised to voters. The IWC scrutinizes all Measure B and BB expenditures and reports directly to the public each year on these expenditures (see the most recent IWC Annual Report).
- All 17 members must be Alameda County residents and are appointed for a two-year term, as follows: One per district, appointed by the Board of Supervisors
- About the Committee and Application Form
- Meeting Dates and Agenda Packets
- Independent Watchdog Committee Bylaws
 Are you or someone you know interested in joining the Alameda County Civil Grand Jury? The jury’s primary responsibility is to examine and report on the operations of local government agencies and to investigate citizen complaints, acting as the public’s watchdog.
Currently, the Superior Court is seeking Grand Jury nominations for this fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024. Nominations must be received no later than April 15, 2024.
Participation on the Civil Grand Jury is a significant commitment: at least two meetings per week via Zoom (Wednesday and Thursday mornings) and extra meeting days as needed.
For more information, please visit the links below or contact Cassie Barner at Cassie.Barner@acgov.org or 510-208-9855.
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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