Oakland ReCAST Program Awards $200,000 to 22 Community Organizations
Published on May 29, 2026
OAKLAND, CA — The City of Oakland Human Services Department (HSD) today announced $200,000 in grant awards to 22 Oakland-based organizations through the Resiliency in Communities After Stress and Trauma (ReCAST) initiative. Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the program supports community-driven approaches to trauma recovery, mental health, and resilience.
In its fifth year, the Oakland ReCAST program partnered with the Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) and the ReCAST Community Advisory Board (CAB) to design an inclusive, community-led funding process. Over five weeks, 12 community members ranging from youth to older adults collaborated to develop the criteria and approach for distributing the grants.
"I am so proud of all the amazing work the City of Oakland staff and community partners put in to make this happen. Mental Health is a critical component of helping individuals, families and communities thrive, and I am proud of HSDs work on this effort," said Greg Elliott, Interim Human Services Director
“This process was built by the community, for the community. The ReCAST initiative has always centered the voices of those most affected by violence and trauma, and this grant cycle reflects exactly that commitment,” said Desralynn Cole, Program Manager.
Grant Awards at a Glance
The awards are organized into three categories reflecting distinct stages of healing and recovery. REST grants ($5,000) support wellness and self-care activities for staff and community members in need of restoration. REPAIR grants ($10,000) fund programs that rebuild trust and strengthen trauma-informed services. REBUILD grants ($25,000) support organizations seeking to expand or significantly strengthen trauma-informed programming.
REST Grant Recipients
Lotus Bloom
First Place For Youth
Frontline Catalysts
Centro Legal de la Raza
EastSide Arts Alliance
Community Works / Project WHAT!
HiiiWAV and Kalmy Tomali
Oakland Kids First
Sacred Cycles Laundry Initiative
510 Hikers
REPAIR Grant Recipients
Soccer Without Borders +UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland Pediatric Residency Program
Refugee & Immigrant Transitions
Community Health and Wellness Inc (Meaddi Senior Support group)
Dads Evoking Change
1951 Coffee Company
Hoover Foster Resident Action Council
Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY)
Health and Human Resource Education Center
Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth
The Center for ArtEsteem
REBUILD Grant Recipients
Youth Alive!
Oakland Communities United for Equity and Justice
For more information about the Oakland ReCAST program and program goals, please visit https://www.oaklandca.gov/Community/ReCAST
About Oakland’s Department of Human Services
The Human Services Department advances the health, education, and well-being of Oakland families and adults by delivering free services and strengthening community capacity through grassroots leadership and civic engagement.
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