Spanish-Speaking Unity Council Of Alameda County Inc

COMMITTED TO ENRICHING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF FAMILIES IN THE FRUITVALE DISTRICT OF OAKLAND.

THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WORKS CLOSELY WITH A WIDE VARIETY A FINANCIAL AND PUBLIC PARTNERS AND EXPERIENCED CONSULTANTS TO CONSTRUCT AND PRESERVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING THROUGHOUT OAKLAND. FY 22-23 WAS SIGNIFICANT FOR THE UNITY COUNCIL'S REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT TEAM FOR MANY REASONS. AMONG THEM WAS THE START OF CONSTRUCTION ON JUNTOS FRUITVALE, A RENOVATION PROJECT THAT WILL TRANSFORM THE MONUMENTAL AND ARCHITECTURALLY DISTINCTIVE PROPERTY AT 3351 INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD INTO A 3-STORY, 10,000-SQUARE-FOOT CULTURAL ARTS CENTER THAT WILL OFFER AFFORDABLE WORKSPACE, SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND VENUES FOR COMMUNITY GATHERINGS, PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS.ADDITIONALLY, 2023 MARKED THE COMPLETION OF CASA SUENOS, A 181- UNIT AFFORDABLE HOUSING RESIDENTIAL BUILDING, A TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECT CATERING TO THE COMMUNITY'S WELL-BEING. CO-DEVELOPED WITH BRIDGE HOUSING, THE SITE INCLUDES 46 UNITS OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND 75 APARTMENTS WHICH WILL BE SUBSIDIZED BY THE PROJECT BASED SECTION-8 PROGRAM BY THE OAKLAND HOUSING AUTHORITY, ALLOWING TENANTS TO PAY RENT AS A PERCENTAGE OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND ENSURING THAT THE MOST IN-NEED WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THIS BEAUTIFUL PROPERTY. CASA SUENOS IS ALSO THE NEW HOME OF CURYJ, OR COMMUNITIES UNITED FOR RESTORATIVE YOUTH JUSTICE, AN OAKLAND ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO ENDING YOUTH INCARCERATION.THE PROJECT ALSO ALLOWED FOR STRONG CROSS-DEPARTMENTAL COLLABORATION WITHIN THE UNITY COUNCIL, BRINGING IN THE HOUSING ACCESS TEAM AND HEAD START PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT. A TOTAL OF 40 FAMILIES RECEIVED DIRECT ASSISTANCE WITH THEIR APPLICATIONS.

THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT DIVISION SERVED AROUND 700 CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES AT 8 CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS AND 2 HOME-BASED PROGRAMS IN OAKLAND AND CONCORD DURING THE FILING YEAR. THE PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY THE FOLLOWING FEDERAL AND STATE GRANTS: HEAD START, EARLY HEAD START, CSPP AND CCTR. IT SERVES LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, 90% OF WHICH ARE AT OR BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY INCOME GUIDELINES. ANCILLARY SERVICES PROVIDED BY THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE HEALTH, NUTRITION, DISABILITIES, FAMILY SERVICES AND PARENT ENGAGEMENT.

THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT IS TO SUPPORT YOUTH, ADULTS, AND SENIORS TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN EQUITABLE ECONOMIC, CAREER, HEALTH AND HOUSING OUTCOMES. THIS YEAR, SERVICES INCLUDED 1) ACHIEVEMENT, CAREER AND WELLNESS YOUTH PROGRAMS FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH; 2) EMPLOYMENT AND FINANCIAL COACHING AND RESOURCES FOR ADULTS AND YOUTH; AND 3) LOW-INCOME RESIDENT SERVICES INCLUDING FOOD DISTRIBUTION, SENIOR WELLNESS, AND HOUSING ACCESS. SERVICES WERE OFFERED IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, MAM AND KHMER.