Field Fundraising Team Member and Activist Super Mom Vernetta Woods received an award from Bay Area PLAN. With two children who have been in Oakland public schools, PLAN recognized Vernetta’s tireless advocating within OUSD in support of both teachers and students. “It’s not just my job – it’s my life,” is how she describes her involvement in bettering school conditions.

I am bringing a bunch of lessons from the early days and weeks of motherhood back with me to Oakland Rising, and I’m delighted by how much this journey has informed my work as well as my personal life. Amongst the top lessons I’m bringing are:

The results are in: After talking to nearly 6,000 residents in the flatlands of Deep East Oakland, 93% committed to filling out the 2020 Census!

Our team of 16 outreach workers had 1-on-1 conversations primarily with Black residents this fall to ensure they know how their filling out the Census is crucial to securing:

We created a new pipeline leadership development program for the members and staff of our partner and ally organizations with the goal of elevating them into the future leaders of electoral campaigns.

An accurate Census count means: lunches for kids, access to affordable housing, funding for health centers, and fair political representation.

Our community counts on us, and one thing we can do to help our families and neighbors is join together to fill out the Census.

We are building a team of social justice advocates to educate and mobilize residents around the 2020 Census. An accurate Census count means: access to affordable housing, lunches for kids, funding for health centers, and fair political representation. Complete the online application by FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4.

Do you believe that public land should serve the public good? The City and Port of Oakland are considering a new mega baseball stadium complex on public land at Jack London Square.

Our Schools & Communities First training was a huge success. Thanks to the 60 leaders and organizers who came through on a Saturday in late August. We’re ready to collect those petition signatures this Fall!

Check out our video about how our new projects combine technology and organizing to increase our collaborative’s impact, efficiency and capacity.

We’re one step closer towards securing the resources we all need for thriving schools and community services like healthcare, affordable housing, and libraries. Signature gathering to qualify the initiative begins this fall. Sign up to support this effort!