 At
3:20 a.m. on August 24, I like many of you probably, awoke to a slight rumble
caused by the magnitude 6.0 Napa earthquake. This earthquake can serve as a
reminder that we all need to be prepared for the next big one that will occur
on one of the many fault lines in the East Bay. Visit ready.acgov.org, a new Alameda County website dedicated to providing the best information available on emergency preparedness. Here are some other useful tips
to be prepared for an earthquake:
- Prepare
a 72-hour emergency kit that includes food, water, first-aid supplies, a
battery-operated radio, prescription medications and a flashlight.
- Ensure
your house is bolted to its foundation and have your chimneys, roof and walls
checked for stability.
- Secure
your water heater and major appliances, as well as, tall and/or heavy
furniture, mirrors, bookcases, picture frames, televisions and other large
electronic equipment.
- Know
the safe areas, such as under a sturdy table or desk or against interior walls
in each room.
- Know
the location of your home’s main gas service shutoff valve and how to turn it
off.
Earthquake
preparedness is also a great opportunity to stimulate children’s curious minds
about the earth and related fields of science. You can also bring them to
Science in the Park as we celebrate earth, science, health, and nutrition!
Science in the Park is District 2’s signature event and is right around the
corner. Join us on Saturday, October 4
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Alden E. Oliver Sports Park in Hayward. Visit http://www.scienceinthepark.org/
for more information about the event. Also, be sure to checkout Dr. Science and his visit with
the Alameda County Bomb Squad as they conducted some BIG experiments to show the science of explosives. We hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
 This month's spotlight we highlight the program of Cypress Mandela and the success story of graduate John Lahip of Union City. The Cypress Mandela Training Center is a community based organization dedicated to improving the lives of the people it serves by providing pre-apprentice construction and life skills training, along with employment assistance.
On August 21, 2014, John Lahip was one of 35 students who graduated from Cypress Mandela Training Center, Inc. Cypress provides a 16-week pre-apprenticeship training, that is both hands-on and in the classroom and prepares students for skilled trades jobs that are relevant to today’s construction industry.
John, 22 years old, was at a point in his life where he desired something more meaningful. He grew up in the Decoto neighborhood in Union City, and struggled with being consistent in school as he had difficulty in class, but eventually was able to graduate with a high school diploma. He wanted to expand his abilities and career, so that he could take care of himself and his family. John has been involved with Union City’s Youth & Family Services (YFS) program for over 3 years. With the support of YFS, and their relationship with the Cypress Mandela Training Center, Inc., John was accepted into their program.
John states “this experience has made me a better person by helping me to make smarter decisions based on learning from my past mistakes.” He states he loved the structured learning environment, the hands on experience, and the program as a whole. Fabiola Camarillo, Youth Employment Coordinator for Union City Youth & Family Services, states 12 out of 13 youth referred to Cypress, have graduated. John succeeded, as he was open to receiving the support around him, and determined to have a positive outcome.
John recommends this program to other people like himself, as he believes, with the right attitude and motivation, others could benefit from this program saying “One just needs to be willing to want to change for the better”. As a graduate of the program, John feels confident about himself and his potential marketability. At Cypress, John learned hands on training in the leading construction fields, such as the basics of a lay out, cement mason, hand tools, measuring, framing, and surveying. He also obtained life skills, such as communication strategies and earned special training certificates for working with hazard waste materials, mold mediation, asbestos awareness, CPR, first aid and automated external defibrillator. John is currently signed up with the Local 38 Plummer’s Union, and hopes to be placed on a construction site soon.
Union City Youth & Family Services, in partnership with Cypress Mandela Training Center, Inc., and Union City’s Kid Zone program, are collaborating to implement a satellite of Cypress program in Union City, at the old Barnard White Campus. For more information regarding the upcoming orientation for interested participants in Union City please see below.
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 The
Cypress Mandela Training Center, Inc. Union City Pre-Apprenticeship
Construction program is looking for 25 highly motivated individuals, between
the ages of 18-30, who are interested in pursuing a career in the construction
trades for the new satellite program. This training center will be a completely
FREE program to the student.
Students
will learn and participate in:
- Free co-ed instructional training
- Job readiness skills
- Earn college credits
- Green technology & pathways*
- 8-week Environmental Certification Training
- Solar concepts & engineering
- Heavy highway and construction training
- Job placement assistance (upon successful
completion of training program)
- PG&E/Cypress Mandela PowerPathways- Bridge
to Utility GSR boot camp (upon successful completion of training program)
*For the Green Jobs Corp you must complete
the 16-week prerequisite in general construction and be at least 18 years of
age
Requirements
for Eligibility
1.
High School Diploma or GED
2.
California Drivers License
3.
Social Security Card
4.
DMV Printout of Driving Record
5.
Proof of Citizenship
6.
Basic Skills Test (10th grade math & English)
The
next orientation will be held on Friday,
October 3 at 8:30 a.m. at the Oakland CMTC Facility located at 2229 Poplar
Street in Oakland. To RSVP please contact Sergio Abundis at (510) 675-5819
or Fabiola Camarillo at (510) 675-5820. For more information please visit http://www.cypressmandela.org/.
Cypress
Mandela partners with CalTrans, Environmental Protection Agency, Peralta
College, Federal Highways Administration, University of California, Berkeley,
Growth Sector, Green for All, Ella Baker Center, United States Justice Department,
Alameda County Probation Department, and the Oakland Apollo Alliance
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 During National
Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) we recognize the
contributions made and the important presence of Hispanic and Latino Americans
to the United States and celebrate their heritage and culture.
Hispanic
Heritage Month, which began in 1968, begins each year on September 15 to mark the
anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile and Belize also
celebrate their independence days during this period and Columbus Day (Día de
la Raza) is October 12.
Please
join the Alameda County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, September 23 at 11 a.m. as we proclaim Hispanic Heritage to
honor the achievements and contributions by Hispanic and Latin Americans in our
County. There will be a performance of cultural dance and music. For more
information, please RSVP to District2@acgov.org.
Please note that the presentation will
be a set agenda matter, however the time can fluctuate according to the agenda.
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 This historic dinner provides a cherished time every
year to honor outstanding volunteers who give their time and energy to benefit
individuals, local human services, non-profits and other programs in Hayward. In
the 37 years of the Volunteer Dinner, almost 500 awards have been given to
volunteers.
This year there are 31 volunteers that will be
recognized by local non-profits for their outstanding efforts. In addition to
the volunteers that were nominated by organizations, five awards will be
distributed to individuals that have gone above and beyond in the City of
Hayward. As a special award this year, the Volunteer Dinner Committee has
selected Charles Snipes as the Committee Recognition award for his years of
service. The City of Hayward’s Mayor Award will be given to Tracy
Diaz-Dominguez for her efforts at Southgate Community Center. The Alameda County Supervisor’s Award will be presented to
Mariellen Faria, who has been a tireless health care advocate and implementing
programs in South Hayward. The John N. Pappas Humanitarian Award recipient is
Robert Sakai for his leadership and involvement in numerous organizations in
Hayward. The Gail Steele Lifetime Achievement Award will be honoring the many
years of service by Carl and Marilyn Baker-Madsen.
The Hayward Volunteer Dinner and Recognition Awards
will be held on Tuesday, October 7 at 6
p.m. at St. Rose Hospital’s Grand White Tent. For more information on
purchasing tickets please contact Ginny DeMartini at (510) 259-1097.
 On Thursday,
October 9 and Friday, October 10, during National Mental Health Awareness
Week, Alameda County will host its second Regional Mental Health and
Spirituality Conference, The Spirituality
Factor: Weaving Spirituality and Behavioral Health using Evidence and Practice will take place in Oakland at the Allen Temple Family Life Center at 8501 International
Boulevard from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The conference is a collaboration of consumers, family members, faith leaders, Behavioral
Health providers and other dedicated stakeholders in Alameda County and across
the state to provide two days of transformative workshops. These workshops will
highlight the importance of including faith and spirituality as an essential
wellness tool for many for mental health wellness and recovery.
The conference also includes:
- 30
workshops
- Panel
with County Behavioral Health Directors and other leaders
- Faith
Leaders Panel
- Consumer
& Family Members Panel
- TAY
Focused Workshops
- Workshops
provided in Spanish and Chinese
- Multicultural
Entertainment
The conference is $25 per day. For more
information and to register please visit www.mhspirit.org.
Food will be provided, however, the
organizers respectfully request attendees bring their own reusable beverage
container. Those that do will be entered into a drawing to win a raffle prize.
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The
Board of Supervisors encourage citizen involvement and expertise through a
variety of boards and commissions, to advise them on a wide range of issues
affecting their constituencies and to assure they are responsive to community
needs. District Two currently has a vacancy on the following Commissions:
 The
Commission includes 21 members who are appointed by the Board of Supervisors or
Alameda County Mayor's Conference. Commissioners consist of community
representatives concerned about the needs and interests of elders in Alameda
County. Its purpose is to work in concert with the staff of the Area
Agency on Aging to develop, plan, and administer programs designed to
assist elders and their caregivers in the county. Members may serve a maximum
of two four-year terms. Meetings are generally held on the second Monday
of each month in Oakland.
To Apply:
To apply to serve as a District Two appointee,
please submit a cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position,
and include a copy of your resume. Please forward the information to
Ginny DeMartini at Ginny.DeMartini@acgov.org or call (510)
259-1097.
 The Junior Commission is a project established by the Alameda
County Commission on the Status of Women to develop leadership ability, to
build high self-esteem, to show how government works, to demonstrate how young
women can become empowered by advocating on issues relating to adolescents and
teens. Members must be an Alameda County resident and attending high school.
The member must also commit to serve for at least one year, participating from
October to July. Junior Commissioners can serve up to four years, however
seniors, may only serve until the end of their high school year. Orientation
and training for selected applicants during the term of the program.
To Apply:
Please provide a written
application by downloading the form at www.alamedacsw.org and mailing
it to:
c/o Alameda County Commission on
the Status of Women- Junior Commission
2000 San Pablo Avenue, Suite 445
Oakland, CA 94612
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