Supervisor Márquez November 2024 Newsletter

D2 Newsletter Banner Updated

Release Date: 11/26/2024

Supervisor's Message

d2 letterhead

Dear Community Partner,

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I want to take moment to share with you my deep personal gratitude for the residents of Alameda County District 2.

Whether it is rallying to save a local hospital or raising resources for the next generation, we are a community that consistently strives to support and better the lives of our neighbors.

District 2 Banner

This includes: 

  • Expanding access to STEAM education for over 3,500 children and their families in partnership with 100+ local organizations, while raising more than $10,000 to support schools in Hayward, Union City, Newark, and Fremont through our biennial Science in the Park event; and 

I hope you take a moment to both recognize your contributions to our community and reflect on how together, we foster a more healthy, resilient, and inclusive future. 

Dia De Los Muertos Newark

Celebrating Dia De Los Muertos with residents in Newark.

Many thanks to our co-hosts, Hayward Councilmembers Angela Andrews and Julie Roche, for their partnership in this annual event where we continue to live into our spirit of service through collecting donations for community members in need.  

Season of giving

Left: With Hayward Councilmembers Angela Andrews (middle) and Julie Roche (right) at last year's District 2 Holiday Gathering. Right: Prepping blankets and toiletry donations with Raising Leaders at their 2024 Thanksgiving Giveaway.

It is an honor to “Connect, Engage, and Serve” you, your loved ones, and our community. 

In Service,

Elisa Signature

Elisa Márquez

Supervisor, Second District

Alameda County

Join Us for District 2's Holiday Gathering (Thursday, December 12 - Hayward)

2024 D2 Holiday Gathering

You are warmly invited to our holiday gathering on Thursday, December 12, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at our District Office, located at 24301 Southland Drive, Suite 101, Hayward, CA.

This festive event is hosted by Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Márquez, along with Hayward Councilmembers Angela Andrews and Julie Roche. Enjoy light hors d'oeuvres and refreshments as we come together to celebrate the season.

In the spirit of giving, we will be collecting donations to support our community:

  • Non-perishable food items for First Presbyterian Church
  • Toys for Glad Tidings Church and La Familia
  • Baby items for Eden Youth and Family Center
  • Gift cards for Downtown Streets Team
  • Please see the attached flyer.

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Alameda County's CARE Court Program Launches on Monday, December 2

CARE Court

Alameda County Superior Court and Alameda County Health’s Behavioral Health Department (ACBHD) are preparing for the Monday, December 2 local launch of the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act Court, a new civil court process that provides support services to people with certain mental health diagnoses and substance use disorders.

A state initiative, CARE Act Court is aimed at helping the thousands of Californians with untreated serious mental health and substance use disorders.

Family members, health care providers, County mental health workers, first responders and social services providers can all petition for a person to be considered for the CARE Act Court. A person may also petition for themselves for CARE Act Court. The court does not create a criminal record—it’s a civil proceeding to provide resources to those in need.

An Alameda County Superior Court Judge will decide if a person qualifies for the CARE Act Court. If the person qualifies, the judge will order ACBHD to work with the individual to create a CARE Agreement, which can include housing, treatment, and support services.

The CARE Act Court is available for individuals who are at least 18 years old and who are diagnosed with certain schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders that interfere with their ability to participate safely in daily life, who are not currently stabilized in an on-going voluntary treatment program. The full eligibility criteria can be found here.

CARE Act Court petitions can be filed electronically at alameda.courts.ca.gov/CARE beginning on Thanksgiving Day or in person beginning on Monday, December 2, 2024. Petitions can be filed in-person at the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse, Berkeley Courthouse and Hayward Hall of Justice. Hearings will begin Thursday, December 12.

To read the full article, click here.

Community Listening Sessions: Help Inform Measure C Implementation

First 5

Are you a parent, child care provider, early care educator, or a community member who is passionate about early learning opportunities and services for young children? First 5 wants to hear from you!  

First 5 Alameda County and the Measure C Community Advisory Council (CAC) will hold five community listening sessions throughout the county from Wednesday, December 4, 2024, to Wednesday, February 5, 2025. The listening sessions will inform new investments in early care and education in Alameda County as well as the scope of work for the mandated Measure C evaluation.

Don’t miss this opportunity for your voice to be heard on priorities and needs in the areas of Workforce Development, Family Access to Child Care, Wages and Compensation, Facilities, Quality, Family Supports, Coordination, Navigation, and Inclusion! 

Click here to view the dates and topics of the community listening sessions. 

Stay Prepared During the Rainy Season

Sandbags sign

Rainy season is here! Stay prepared with tips below to prevent injury and damages.

Sandbags Pickup Locations

Sandbags are available to city residents and businesses at the following locations:

  • Union City:
    • Corporation Yard front parking lot -  34650 7th St. Union City
    • Fire Station 31 - 33555 Central Avenue, Union City
  • Hayward:
    • Hayward Animal Shelter - 16 Barnes Court, Hayward
  • Unincorporated areas of Hayward
    • Alameda County Public Works Agency Buildings:
      • 951 Turner Court, Hayward
      • 6089 Madigan Road, Dublin
      • Fire Stations:
        • Station 6 - 19780 Cull Canyon Road, Castro Valley
        • Station 25 - 20336 San Miguel Avenue, Castro Valley
        • Station 12 -1065 143rd Ave, San Leandro
        • Station 31 - 33555 Central Ave, Union City
        • Station 14 - 11345 Pleasanton Sunol Rd, Sunol
  • Newark:
    • Newark Service Center - 37440 Filbert Street, Newark
  • Fremont
    • City Maintenance Center - 42551 Osgood Road, Fremont
    • Fire Station No. 5 - 55 Hackamore Lane, Fremont
    • Fire Station No. 10 - 5001 Deep Creek Road

Drive Safely and Check Road Conditions

  • For Bay Area road conditions, call 511 or visit www.511.org. By dialing 511, you can get essential travel information. This service offers information on public transportation, traffic, carpooling, vanpooling and bicycling.
  • Never drive into a large body of standing water.
  • Check tires, wiper blades & fluids and lights on vehicles to ensure they're in working order
  • Use your headlines while driving

Report Power Outages

  • If you see downed power lines, leave the area immediately and call 9-1-1, then, call PG&E at 1(800) 743-5002. For more information about outages and safety precautions, visit www.pge.com/en/outages-and-safety.htm

Helpful Contacts

Holidays Home Decorating Contest (Register by Friday, November 29 - Union City)

Holiday home decorating

Calling all residents of Union City! Do you love to decorate the outside of your home for the winter holidays? If so, then the Union City Best Home for the Holidays Decorating Contest is for you!

Join this fun and friendly competition between your fellow Union City residents and show everyone who has the most holiday spirit with the biggest, brightest, or most unique exterior home decorations. Contest is open to individual homes or a cluster or street of homes. 

Contest is FREE. You can register here online or at any community center. Homes will be judged the second week of December. The selected winner will have the honor of proudly displaying the Best Home for the Holidays signage for the whole month of December. Each participating home will be included on a map of decorated homes and on the Union City website. 

For more information, call 510-675-5445 or email ErinE@unioncity.org.

1st Annual Holidays at the Plaza (Friday, December 6 - Fremont)

Fremont's First Annual Holiday at the Plaza

Save the date for fun! The Fremont Chamber of Commerce and the City of Fremont are holding a new event, Holidays at the Plaza.

  • Date: Friday, December 6
  • Time: 4pm to 9pm
  • Location: Downtown Event Center Plaza (3500 Capitol Avenue, Fremont)

Featuring the Fremont Gingerbread Battle, local craft artists, delicious festive foods, kids crafting activities, more!

For vendor inquiries, email fmtcc@fremontbusiness.com

If you'd like to learn more about upcoming events in Fremont, check out their Fall & Winter Events Guide.

Newark Annual Tree Lighting (Friday, December 6 - Newark)

Newark Tree Lighting

Kick off the holiday season with an evening full of festive fun!  Enjoy performances, sip on hot cocoa, and munch on cookies. Get creative with crafts, play games, snap a photo at our photo booth, and don’t miss out on our toy drive and raffle!

  • Date: Friday, December 6
  • Time:
    • 5:30pm - 6:45pm | Activities & Crafts
    • 7pm | Tree Lighting Ceremony
  • Location: Newark Civic Center (37101 Newark Blvd. Newark)

Bring the whole family and make magical memories together!

Light Up the Season Community Event Returns (Saturday, December 7 - Hayward)

Light up the Season Event

Light Up the Season, the annual downtown Hayward winter-time celebration and tree lighting ceremony, is returning with some new attractions. 

This year, the City of Hayward partners with Hayward Chamber of Commerce to bring the Light Up the Season festivities to City Hall. The goal is to create a space for Hayward residents to come together in a spirit of inclusion and share and celebrate the winter-time traditions of our diverse communities. These include Twin Luminaries, Mawlid al-Nabi, Chalica, Bodhi Day, Las Posadas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Lohri, Pongal and other occasions sharing a common theme of remembering there is light even during the season of long nights. 

  • Date: Saturday, December 7
  • Time: Tree Lighting at approximately 5pm
  • Location: City Hall Rotunda and Plaza (777 B St, Hayward)

The event will feature performances and offerings by community organizations, school groups and local businesses. New additions include a winter night market with more than 30 vendors serving sweet snacks, traditional foods and fun holiday gifts.

If you have questions about Light Up the Season—or are interested in participating in this year’s event or in future years—contact Zach Ebadi, of the Hayward City Manager’s Office, at (510) 583-3911 or by email at zach.ebadi@hayward-ca.gov

Work for California - Bay Area Winter Job Fair (Monday, December 9 - Fremont)

Work for California Bay Area Flyer

Join the California Department of Human Resources, Assemblymember Alex Lee, and Assemblymember Liz Ortega at the Work for California Bay Are Winter Job Fair! Find your next career with the State of California and meet over 30 employers.

  • Date: Monday, December 9
  • Time: 10am - 2pm
  • Location: Fremont Downtown Event Center (3500 Capitol Ave. Fremont) 

Learn more and register here.

VA Palo Alto & Partners Outreach at Hayward Veterans Memorial Hall (Thursday, December 12 - Hayward)

VA Palo Alto & Partners

The Veterans Affairs (VA) Palo Alto Health Care System Medical Outreach Team & Partners are coming to Hayward to offer information and resources to our veterans. 

  • Date: Thursday, December 12
  • Time: 10am - 1pm
  • Location: Hayward Veterans Memorial Hall (22737 Main St. Hayward)

VA medical providers will be on-site to provide services for veterans enrolled in VA health care including examinations, consultations, referrals, and toxic exposure screening.

Other veteran and community organizations will also be present to provide information on other veteran resources and services.

If you have any questions regarding eligibility and enrollment into the VA health care system, please bring a copy of your DD-214.

For questions regarding the event, please contact Librarian Hector Villaseñor at Hector.Villasenor@hayward-ca.gov or 510-881-7974.

This program is in collaboration between Palo Alto VA Health Care Medical Outreach Team, the Hayward Public Library, and American Legion Post 68-Hayward.

Housing Rights for Seniors (Thursday, December 12 - Hayward)

Housing Rights for Seniors Poster

Legal Assistance for Seniors will be providing an informational workshop for seniors to understand the basic housing laws for tenants and landlords and learn the responsibilities on both sides. Learn more about common housing issues, including rent increases, evictions, and security deposits.

  • Date: Thursday, December 12
  • Time: 2pm
  • Location: Downtown Hayward Library (888 C St. Hayward)
  • Register here

Legal and Health Insights is a series of programs for older adults. Look for new programs at 2pm on the second Thursday of each month.

In 2024, presentations cover topics such as Medicare and housing rights for seniors, how to avoid scams, how to hire a caregiver, and how to become a guardian.

Programming provided by Legal Assistance for Seniors. 

Santa at the Firehouse (Saturday, December 14 - Newark)

Santa at the Firehouse

The Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD) and Alameda County Firefighters Local 55 (ACFFA) has officially launched the annual toy drive for 2024! The Alameda County community is encouraged to spread holiday cheer for children and families in need this year!

Celebrate the giving season and have fun-filled day at Santa at the Firehouse! Bring the family to meet Santa, explore the fire engines, and enjoy holiday cheer with your local firefighters. Plus, get your family picture taken with Santa on a vintage fire engine—a perfect keepsake for the holiday season!

  • Date: Saturday, December 14
  • Time: 4pm - 7pm
  • Location: ACFD Station 28 (7550 Thornton Ave. Newark)

This is a free event open to the public, but please note: Toys will not be distributed to the public at this event.

Excited to celebrate the holiday season with you!

Serve on a County Board or Commission

Boards and Commissions

District 2 appointments are available to those who live or work in Hayward (incorporated), Union City, Newark, and portions of Fremont (Ardenwood, Bayside, Canyon Heights/Vallejo Mills/Niles Crest, East Industrial, Lakes & Birds, Northgate, and Warm Springs).

Not sure if you’re in District 2? Find your district by clicking here

For further information, contact District Director Rodney Locherodney.loche2@acgov.org and/or (510) 813-1856. Please send a resume and request an application.

Learn more about County Boards and Commissions at https://www.acgov.org/bnc/#/board.

District 2 is actively seeking applicants for the following bodies:

1. Elections Commission

  • Objective: Established in the County of Alameda ("County") a body which shall be known as the Alameda County Elections Commission ("Commission") to oversee all public federal, state, district and municipal elections conducted by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters. The Commission shall oversee the implementation of general policies for the Registrar of Voters, and shall periodically report back to the Board of Supervisors regarding the proper administration of general practices of the Registrar of Voters as it pertains to administration of elections in the County.
  • Term: 3 years
  • Meetings: Third Thursday of each month, 4pm - 6pm
  • Location: TBD
  • Qualifications: Must be a resident of Alameda County and reside in District 2. One (1) slot open

2. Alameda County Advisory Commission on Aging

  • Objective: The Alameda County Advisory Commission on Aging (ACA) advises and provides information to the Board of Supervisors and the Area Agency on Aging (AAA). The commission is made up of representatives concerned about the needs and interests of elders in Alameda County. The commission works in concert with the staff of the AAA to develop, plan, and administer, programs designed to assist elders and their caregivers in the county.
  • Term: 4 years
  • Meetings: Second Monday of each month, 9:15am to 11:45am.
  • Location: Eastmont Town Center, 6955 Foothill Boulevard, Oakland, First Floor - Maxwell Park Room.
  • Qualifications: Must be a resident of Alameda County and reside in District 2. One (1) slot open. 

3. Public Health Commission

  • 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.
  • Term: 2 years
  • Meetings: Commission meetings shall be held monthly for a total of 12 monthly meetings per calendar year. Contact staff for meeting dates, time and location.
  • Location: 1000 Broadway, Suite 500 Oakland CA 94607
  • Qualifications: Members shall be recruited through an extensive outreach process, taking into consideration PHC's strong commitment to ethnic and geographic diversity. Must be a resident of Alameda County and reside in District 2. One (1) slot open. 

More County & Community Resources

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.