 Dear Community Partner,
In these uncertain times nationally, I want to make it clear that I have your back.
$10 million from Measure W for Food Security
This Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors approved an additional $10 million from the Measure W Essential Services Fund to ensure no one in our community goes hungry.
Thank you to all our food assistance providers and volunteers, including Alameda County Community Food Bank who is partnering with the Alameda County Social Services Agency to increase emergency food supports across its nearly 400 partner agency network.
Visit www.foodnow.net or call the Food Bank’s Emergency Food Helpline at 510-635-3663 for referrals to resources within your community, including free groceries for anyone in need regardless of their circumstances.
 Photo caption: Earlier this year, my office attended TCV Food Bank’s Open House to learn more about their efforts to promote food security in the Tri-Cities. They are an essential Alameda County Community Food Bank member agency within District 2.
Protecting Immigrant and Refugee Communities
The Board has also approved $450,000 from Measure W to provide staff coordination for our $7+ million investment in rapid response services for Alameda County immigrants and refugee communities under attack from the current federal administration!
 It’s important that we continue to be prepared, not scared. Here are a few tips from our funded partners:
✅ Know your rights (Did you know Alameda County Public Defenders launched the state’s first Immigration Unit?)
✅ Call ACILEP (Alameda County Immigration Legal & Education Partnership) for rapid response services at 510-241-4011 or sign up to volunteer to staff the hotline.
✅ Check in on each other (California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice and Trabajadores Unidos Workers United also provide vital legal and community resources)
Additional funding for county staff to work with our critical rapid response partners will help Alameda County begin to design an Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs, ensuring the experiences of local immigrant and refugee residents are embedded in County planning, programs, and policy development.
 Connecting with District 2 Communities
October is an especially culturally vibrant month for Alameda County District 2.
I was proud to present the Board’s annual Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month and Filipino American History Month proclamations as well as celebrate Diwali in partnership with BAPS Charities.
 As we look ahead to the Thanksgiving holiday next month, please know how grateful I am to the Alameda County voters for passing Measure W.
From housing subsidies to health care, nutritious meals to newcomer resources, and senior programs to the safety-net itself, Measure W ensures we can meet the moment.
 We can address the health and safety of our Community, reaffirm our sense of belonging, and equip residents with the essential services they need because together, we are better.
In Service & Solidarity,
 Elisa Márquez
Supervisor, Second District
Alameda County
Due to the federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is not sending money to states for November CalFresh (SNAP) benefits. This means the County cannot add money to your EBT card until federal funding is restored.
This impacts all CalFresh households and cannot be appealed. You can keep using your existing benefits as usual.
On Tuesday, October 28, the Board of Supervisors approved an additional $10 million from Measure W Essential County Services funding to fortify the gaps and see to it that no one in our community goes hungry. The Alameda County Social Services Agency (ACSSA) will be working in partnership with the Alameda County Community Food Bank to help mitigate food insecurity and the negative impacts of the federal government shutdown including the potential delay in November CalFresh benefits.
If you need food now, visit cafoodbanks.org/find-food to find your local food bank.
Visit cdss.ca.gov for the latest information.
 Your voice matters in shaping the future of our communities. Participating in every election, big or small, ensures that your values are represented in the decisions that affect your schools, neighborhoods, and local priorities.
Make sure you’re ready to cast your ballot for the upcoming Statewide Special Election!
Visit acvote.alamedacountyca.gov/GO to check your voter registration status, find your polling location, and get answers to any election-related questions.
Every vote counts — let’s make our voices heard!
 There are currently 1,100 youth ages 0-21 in the Alameda County child welfare system. Alameda County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) pair volunteers directly with youth in foster care. After comprehensive, free training to become skilled advocates for children, CASA volunteers may represent the only stable and reliable adults in a child’s life. Unfortunately, CASA can only currently support 25% of those eligible for services.
CASA was the idea of a juvenile dependency court judge who realized he was responsible for making life-altering decisions for children that he knew almost nothing about. The lawyers and social workers were working with very large caseloads. The judge considered; what if there was an individual, a volunteer, appointed by the court, who was familiar with the key components of a child’s life? Where they live, do they see their parent(s), how they’re doing in school, what the CHILD wants, what they need (physically, emotionally, educationally)?
CASA hopes to increase the number of children with an advocate and commits to diversifying its volunteer base to better reflect the communities served. CASA advocates serve foster youth in numerous ways and often have a lot of fun in the process. If you have the time and the heart for serving local youth, please consider applying to be a CASA volunteer.
“Imagine a young kid that will not dream, will not talk about the future, and one day they start to dream because they see that they can.” CASA Volunteer
Learn More about Volunteering at CASA
 Hively will be hosting a series of free webinars to help community members navigate the Covered California Open Enrollment period, which begins November 1.
This can be a complex topic, especially given the current environment; the goal is to make the process easier for families and individuals in the community.
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Webinar Dates (each session will cover the same material):
- Tuesday, November 4, 2025
- Wednesday, December 3, 2025
- Thursday, January 8, 2026
- Time: All webinars will take place at 7pm
Each session will include:
- An overview of health insurance options
- Tips for choosing the right plan
- Information on how to access Hively’s free enrollment assistance services
Don't miss out on this FREE resource!
Learn more and register here.
Ohlone College is hosting its Seasonal Career Fair. The event is open to the public and is a great chance to explore job opportunities and network with potential employers!
- Date: Thursday, November 6
- Time: 2:30pm - 4:30pm
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Location: Ohlone College Newark Campus (39399 Cherry Street, Newark)
Don't miss this chance to connect in person with potential employers and explore seasonal and long-term job opportunities.
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Career Fairs allow job seekers to:
- Engage directly with employers
- Learn about company cultures and job openings
- Practice networking skills
- Gain valuable insights on hiring processes and industry trends
Dress in your favorite interview attire and bring multiple copies of your resume.
For more information and a list of employers, visit: www.ohlone.edu/careercenter/career-fair.
 The East Bay Regional Park District honors veterans, service members, and retirees on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, with free access and parking at Regional Parks, including Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont.
Fee waiver covers parking and park entry, but does not include dog fees, boat launch or inspection fees, fishing permits, or concessions such as the Tilden Merry-Go-Round and Redwood Valley Railway steam train.
Learn more at Veterans Day | East Bay Parks.
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Free diaper kits for families!
Diaper distribution for low-income Hayward residents will continue at the Hayward Library on a month-by-month basis.
- Date: Next Distribution Day is Thursday, November 13. Future events take place on the 2nd Thursday of each month.
- Time: 11am – 12pm or while supplies last.
- Location: Hayward Public Library (888 C Street, Hayward)
Giveaways include:
- Diapers in sizes 1/2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
- 1 free kit per child
- Each kit contains 80-100 diapers and 200 wipes
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Arrive early as diapers go quick!
This program is made in partnership with First 5 Alameda County, SupplyBank.org, 4Cs of Alameda County, and Hayward Unified School District.
Please check Hayward Library's events calendar to confirm future dates.
Union City is calling on all residents who love to decorate the exterior of their home for the holidays to enter this year's Best Home for the Holidays Decorating Contest!
Join this fun and friendly competition between fellow Union City residents and show the community who has the most holiday spirit with the biggest, brightest, or most unique exterior home decoration.
The contest is open to individual homes, a cluster or a street of homes. This contest is FREE and it's easy to register online at www.unioncity.org/reg or at any community center. Homes will be judged during the second week of December. The selected winner will have the honor of proudly displaying the Best Home for the Holidays signage for the rest of December. Each participating home will be included on a map of decorated homes and on the City website.
Register before the deadline on Tuesday, November 22.
 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 Loche, rodney.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. Advisory Commission on Aging:
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Objective:To act as an independent advocate for older persons as mandated by the Older Americans Act, and the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act by taking positions on matters pertaining to federal, state and local policies, programs and procedures, and any legislation affecting older persons.
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Term: 4 years
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Meetings: 2nd Monday of each month at 9:30am
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Location: 6955 Foothill Blvd. Suite #300, Oakland, CA 94605
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Qualifications:
2. Arts Commission
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Objective: Commission's purpose is to provide leadership in encouraging and supporting artistic endeavors in Alameda County. Mission Statement: The Alameda County Arts Commission is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Alameda County by nurturing a thriving environment for the arts and for cultural activities; promoting economic opportunities for Alameda County's artists and arts organizations through programs such as arts grants, public art, and art in education programs; encouraging public participation in the arts and actively advocating for the arts.
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Term: 4 years
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Meetings: 2nd Wednesday of each month at 4pm
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Location: 1106 Madison St, Suite 336 Oakland, CA 94607
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Qualifications:
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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