Press Releases
 Media Contact: Sara Serin-Christ
Oakland UniteCommunications Officer (510) 238-3718
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News from: Human Services DepartmentFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oakland Unite Hosts Oakland Street Outreach Spring 2016 TrainingOakland, CA—From Tuesday, May 24 to Friday, May 27, Oakland Unite hosted the Oakland Street Outreach Spring Training. The four-day training was held at Oakland’s City Hall. The Oakland Street Outreach Workers from community-based organizations Youth ALIVE!, Oakland California Youth Outreach, and Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (B.O.S.S.) attended this training that focused on team and capacity building. Street Outreach Workers are young men from communities that are highly impacted by violence in Oakland that have redirected their lives and have credibility in the community. They send a message of nonviolence on the streets of Oakland and interrupt violence as it happens. The goal of Oakland Street Outreach is to reduce the impact of exposure to violence or re-victimization through individual and community support, and the Street Outreach Workers serve youth and young adults (ages 14-35) using violence interruption, conflict management, and connection to resources and referrals. During the training, Street Outreach Workers honed their conflict mediation skills, met with employment partners to strengthen the collaboration and coordination of resources, and heard presentations from criminal justice partners to contextualize street outreach work. Street Outreach teams work with other agencies in the Oakland Unite network to create a coordinated citywide response to gun violence. The positive impact of past work done by Oakland’s Street Outreach Workers can be seen in the evaluation data as 85% of participants touched by Oakland Street Outreach programs did not get rearrested for violence. Previously funded by Measure Y, and now by Measure Z (the 2014 Public Safety and Services Act), Oakland Street Outreach aims to continue its work and have a positive impact amongst Oakland’s most marginalized communities at high risk of violence. # # # About Oakland Unite: Administered by the City of Oakland’s Human Services Department (HSD), Oakland Unite is the collaboration of programs funded by the Public Safety & Services Act and other funding sources, providing over 4,000 individuals with intensive services each year, and reaching over 17,000 people through community outreach and events annually. For more information, please visit www.oaklandunite.org.
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| Media Contact:Sara Serin-Christ
Oakland UniteCommunications Officer (510) 238-3718
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News from: Human Services DepartmentFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oakland Unite Receives More Than $300,000 in Grant Funding from U.S. Department of JusticeOakland, CA –On September 21, 2015, Oakland Unite, a division of the City of Oakland Human Services Department, was awarded a new one-year Youth Violence Prevention Enhancement Project (YVPEP) grant for $281,880 from the Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This grant will be used to support an on-going community engagement and assessment process for Mayor Libby Schaaf’s comprehensive citywide strategic Violence Prevention and Community Safety Plan. The plan, created in partnership with Prevention Institute, will help guide and strengthen efforts to reduce and prevent youth and young adult violence in Oakland. In addition, the award will allow for strengthening an infrastructure of supports and protocols for young children ages 5 and under who have been directly impacted by intense violence. These services and protocols will be developed in collaboration with the Oakland Police Department and Safe Passages. Oakland Unite was also awarded a one-year Community-Based Violence Prevention Program Continuation grant for $70,000 from OJJDP to sustain and expand community/faith partners engagement in Oakland Ceasefire through intentional efforts to build deeper relationships between faith/community partners and Street Outreach Workers, Case Managers, and those at the highest risk of being involved in violence in Oakland. As a recipient of these awards, Oakland Unite is excited to be a part of the President’s National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention. The work supported by these awards will be done in coordination with ongoing violence prevention and intervention services in Oakland with the ultimate goal of reducing and preventing youth, gang, and gun violence in Oakland. # # # About Oakland Unite: Passed by voters in 2004 (Measure Y) and again in 2014 (Measure Z) raises over $6 million each year for violence prevention programs. Administered by the City of Oakland’s Human Services Department (HSD), Oakland Unite is the collaboration of programs funded by Measure Z and other funding sources, providing over 4,000 individuals with intensive services each year, and reaching over 17,000 people through community outreach and events annually. Areas of focus include: Violent incident and Crisis Response, Focused Youth Services, Young Adult Reentry Services, and Family Violence Intervention. For more information, please visit www.oaklandunite.org. |
| Media Contact:Sara Serin-Christ
Oakland UniteCommunications Officer (510) 238-3718
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News from: Human Services DepartmentMedia Advisory Photo/Video Opportunity June 23, 2015 The City of Oakland Celebrates Successes of Measure Y Funded ProgramsOn Thursday, June 25, the City of Oakland is hosting a grantee celebration to honor Oakland Unite program participants who have demonstrated a commitment to transforming their lives, as well as to celebrate the dedication and hard work of all Oakland Unite grantee service providers over the last ten years of Measure Y. Through Measure Y, and the City of Oakland Human Services Department, Oakland Unite administers approximately $6 million in annual funding for non-profit organizations and public agencies with a focus on those youth and young adults in Oakland at the highest risk of being perpetrators and victims of violence. WHEN: Thursday, June 25, 2015, 2 to 5 p.m. Media camera setup at 1:30 p.m. Awards program at 3:30 p.m. WHERE: West Oakland Senior Center, 1724 Adeline Street, Oakland WHO: Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, representatives from nonprofit partners, scores of program participants who have transform their lives through participation in Measure Y-funded programs WHY: Hear how program participants have transformed their lives through Measure Y-funded programs Watch as Mayor Libby Schaaf presents certificates to program participants who have overcome obstacles and turned their lives around Enjoy live entertainment by Oakland Unite grantees and program participants, including a poetry performance by Youth Radio, vocal and dance performances by Youth UpRising and a theater performance by The Mentoring Center-Project Choice staff Background: The voters of Oakland passed Measure Y, the Violence Prevention and Public Safety Act, in November of 2004, providing over $20 million annually to support violence prevention programs, community policing, and other public safety activities. Oakland Unite is the collaboration of programs funded by Measure Y and other funding sources providing over 4,000 individuals with intensive services each year, and reaching over 17,000 people through community outreach and events annually. In November of 2014, the Oakland voters approved the 2014 Public Safety Ballot Measure, Measure Z, that extends this important violence prevention and intervention funding for an additional 10 years. For more information about Oakland Unite, visit www.oaklandunite.org. # # # |
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Media Contact: Sara Serin-Christ Oakland Unite Communications (510) 238-3718
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News from:
Human Services DepartmentFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 27, 2014 Independent Evaluation Shows Participants of Measure Y Violence Prevention Programs Have Significant Reductions in Arrests and Convictions Come Hear the Results of an Analysis Covering the Entire Span of the Initiative Oakland, CA – The external evaluation firm for Measure Y, Resource Development Associates (RDA), is completing their latest evaluation assessing program participant data across the entire span of the initiative. Participants of Measure Y service programs have consistently shown greater reductions in arrests and convictions over the life of the Measure. RDA is conducting a retrospective evaluation to determine the effectiveness of Measure Y funded violence prevention programs and changes over time. The key findings from the evaluation are that Oakland Unite programs have increasingly targeted high-risk individuals, those at the most risk of being involved in violence, and have seen progressively lower recidivism rates. In addition, individuals’ involvement with the justice system declined after they enrolled in Oakland Unite programs. Measure Y was passed by voters in 2004 and collects over $20 million annually with a goal of preventing and reducing violence in Oakland, of which over $6 million is invested in violence prevention programs administered by Oakland Unite in the City of Oakland’s Human Services Department. To see the full presentation on the evaluation results come to the Public Safety Committee Meeting at Oakland’s City Hall on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at 6pm in the Sgt. Mark Dunakin Room on the 1st Floor. The presentation is also located on the Oakland Unite website under “Research and Reports”. A complete retrospective evaluation report is coming soon. For more information please visit: www.oaklandunite.org. # # # |
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Media Contact: Sara Serin-Christ Oakland Unite Communications (510) 238-3718 or
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News from:
Human Services DepartmentFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEAugust 25, 2014 OAKLAND UNITE RELEASES VIDEO HIGHLIGHTING PARTICIPANT AND PROGRAM SUCCESS
Oakland, CA—Initiated by the passing of Public Services and Safety Act (Measure Y) in 2004, Oakland Unite has worked tirelessly to reduce violence in Oakland for the last ten years. Oakland Unite has produced a short video providing a compelling glimpse into Oakland through the lens of Oakland Unite funded agencies, case managers and program participants. The video focuses on sharing both participant and program successes with an emphasis on community building, program collaboration, engaging individuals involved in violence and fostering strong relationships.
Oakland Unite services fit within four strategies: 1) Focused Youth Services, 2) Family Violence Intervention, 3) Young Adult Reentry and 4) Violent Incident and Crisis Response, and include 34 program aimed at violence prevention and intervention. Administered by the City of Oakland’s Human Services Department (HSD), Oakland Unite is the collaboration of 25 community based organizations and public agencies funded by Measure Y and other funding sources, providing over 4,000 individuals with intensive services each year, and reaching over 17,000 people through community outreach and events annually.
In addition to focusing on participant success stories, the 5-minute video shares important data provided by an independent external evaluation of Oakland Unite programs. These programs strategically engage with the “right” individuals, meaning those most likely to be involved in violence. 72% of Oakland Unite participants had a violent or serious arrest before participating in a program. The video also captures the success of Oakland Unite program participants in transforming their lives which leads to a decrease in violence throughout Oakland. Oakland Unite participants show an 83% reduction in arrests for violent crimes after starting an Oakland Unite program.
This video has been a long term goal of Oakland Unite with the aim of raising community awareness about violence prevention and intervention in Oakland. The video is not only meant to relay factual information but also to represent the emotional impact of the work on the lives of residents and communities throughout Oakland.
To watch the video and get more information about Oakland Unite visit: www.OaklandUnite.org. The video can also be found on at: http://youtu.be/qa0hR_KbvUo. Stay tuned for upcoming video screening events which will include question and answer sessions with program participants.
For more information about Oakland Unite, its programs, and its participants, contact Sara Serin-Christ: SSerin-christ@oaklandnet.com.
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Media Contact: Sara Serin-Christ Oakland Unite Communications (510) 238-3718 or
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News from:
Human Services DepartmentFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJune 30, 2014 OAKLAND FRIDAY SUMMER NIGHTS KICKOFF SET FOR JULY 11TH
Oakland, CA – The Friday Summer Nights Program(s) are set to kick-off in East and West Oakland on July 11, 2014 and will run through August 15, 2014, Fridays from 6:00PM to 9:00PM. All events are free and open to the public. In East Oakland, the program locations are at Carter Gilmore Park, 1390 66th Avenue; and Willie Wilkins Park, 1100 98th Avenue. The West Oakland program takes place at 3233 Market Street (at the intersection of Brockhurst and Market). These events include free food, games, entertainment and raffles for all ages. The goal of these gatherings is to change community norms around violence through community engagement and empowerment.
For the past three summers, Oakland Unite’s Messengers4Change has hosted the six-week long program, in targeted hotspots in East Oakland, as part of Mayor Quan’s parks project. In 2011, Messengers4Change piloted the first Friday Summer Nights in the Park at Willie Wilkins Park in East Oakland. The success of that program led to the adoption of a second park in the summer of 2012 – Carter Gilmore Park. Building on the success in East Oakland, the City-County Neighborhood Initiative project piloted the Friday Night Live Program in West Oakland last summer. This year all three programs will continue to support residents who are taking a stand against violence.
The 2011 Messengers4Change initial parks program evaluation shows positive results: The average number of police incidents in the Willie Wilkins Park area decreased by 48% during the three six-week periods that the events were held compared to the average for the previous two-years.
These Friday Summer Nights programs are modeled after the Los Angeles’ Summer Night Lights Program, and are connected to broader Oakland Unite efforts focused on gang reduction and shooting and homicide intervention and response. Both the L.A. and Oakland program efforts are intended to disrupt violence by offering programming and extended park hours in neighborhoods with high rates of violence, during the peak hours when violence occurs. In addition to programming (athletics, music, etc.), Oakland Unite Street Outreach Workers from two agencies: Oakland California Youth Outreach and Healthy Oakland, attend the events as intervention specialists to engage with young people and offer conflict mediation and peace-making support. Both the L.A. and Oakland programs involve law enforcement and a broad cross-section of community members in order to build trust and strengthen relationships. The programs also include a diverse mix of community-based organizations and resource providers. The East Oakland Friday Summer Nights at the Park Program is funded by Oakland Unite through Measure Y and a federal grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Messengers4Change is proud to partner with the Oakland Fund for Children and Youth and the Office of Mayor Jean Quan for these events. Become a Messenger4Change and make a difference in your community. To learn more visit: www.messengers4change.org.
The West Oakland Friday Night Live Program is a City-County Neighborhood Initiative project that is supported by Measure Y and partners with Oakland Unite, the Alameda County Department of Public Health, the Office of Mayor Jean Quan, the Office of Councilmember Lynette McElhaney, the YMCA of the East Bay and Alternatives in Action.
For information about these events and more visit: www.Oaklandunite.org.
For specific information about the East Oakland Parks program, contact Jennifer Argueta: JArgueta@oaklandnet.com.
For specific information about the West Oakland Park program, contact Dylan Hamilton: DHamilton@oaklandnet.com.
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Media Contact: Sara Serin-Christ Oakland Unite Communications (510) 238-3718 or
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News from:
Department of Human ServicesFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 9, 2013
U.S. Department of Justice Recognizes Oakland’s Juvenile Justice Program for Innovation Program Achieves Groundbreaking, Real-Time Data Sharing
Oakland, CA – The U.S. Department of Justice recently recognized Oakland’s Juvenile Justice program for its innovative work in serving youth and reducing the likelihood of their re-arrest. On Wednesday, November 13, 2013, the Council of State Governments Justice Center released the report “Reentry Matters: Strategies and Successes of Second Change Act Grantees Across the United States,” highlighting Oakland’s program along with other successes.
Oakland’s Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) Wraparound Program has been able to successfully serve over 350 youth with a history of involvement with the juvenile justice system per year, providing individualized services to help youth get out of the cycle of incarceration and violence and back into school. Led by the Department of Human Services’ Oakland Unite Violence Prevention Programs and funded through local Measure Y and federal grant funding, the program is a unique partnership that provides services tailored to the needs of each individual youth. The partnership includes Alameda County Probation Department, Alameda County Health Care Services, Oakland Unified School District and community-based organizations.
In their press release the CSG Justice Center stated, “The publication features snapshots of grant programs around the country that illustrate the positive impact these initiatives have on successful reentry into the community by focusing on employment, education, mentoring, and substance abuse and mental health treatment.” For the full report go to: http://csgjusticecenter.org/wpcontent/uploads/2013/11/ReentryMatters.pdf
A critical component to the success of Oakland’s program is the unprecedented data sharing that has been achieved across public system partners in the interest of meeting each youth’s real-time needs and circumstances. Case managers receive electronic updates through a web-based database on each of their youth’s Probation status, including risk assessment scores, court dates and charges, so that they may effectively support youth. The case management database system, developed by Cityspan Technologies, now includes automated nightly updates on youth’s school data as well. Case managers have access to real-time attendance and school performance data, allowing them to follow up with youth on a daily basis, and support them in meeting academic goals. Youth testimonials have consistently emphasized that when their case manager has supported them with knowledge of the details of their circumstances, they feel cared about; and this has made a critical difference. This type of data sharing between large public systems is extremely rare, and is a significant achievement for Oakland.
For more information please visit: www.oaklandunite.org # # # |
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