Town Care Café

Next date: Thursday, June 11, 2026 | 08:00 AM to 01:00 PM

The Town Care Café is a weekly, need-based pop-up care village hosted by the Oakland Fire Department's Mobile Assistance Community Responders (MACRO) program. Located in the heart of downtown Oakland, the Café provides a welcoming space where community members can access basic needs, connect with resources, and build relationships with responders and service providers.

The Town Care Café reflects Oakland's commitment to community-centered care by bringing together public agencies, community organizations, local businesses, and volunteers to support residents in a low-barrier, non-emergency setting.

The Town Care Café offers a variety of free services and resources, which may include:

Fresh coffee, water, and light refreshments
Hygiene supplies and harm reduction resources
Resource navigation and referrals
Information about housing, behavioral health, and social services
Phone charging stations
Wellness and outreach services
Rotating community partners and special events

Services and partners may vary from week to week based on community needs and partner availability.

Why Town Care Café?

Many community members face barriers to accessing services, including transportation challenges, lack of information, or discomfort navigating traditional systems. The Town Care Café helps bridge those gaps by bringing resources directly into the community.

By offering regular access to support in a trusted public space, the Café helps:

Connect people to services before a crisis occurs
Increase awareness of available resources
Strengthen relationships between community members and service providers
Promote health, wellness, and community stability
Support MACRO's mission of providing appropriate responses to non-emergency community needs

A Partnership for Oakland

The Town Care Café was created through a collaborative effort between MACRO and community partners who share a commitment to supporting Oakland residents with dignity, compassion, and respect. Founding partners include: Awaken Café & Roasting, Uptown Downtown Oakland Business Improvement District (BID), Family Bridges, and Rubicon Point Partners. Together, these organizations help create a consistent and welcoming space where people can access support, build connections, and learn about available resources.

The Mobile Assistance Community Responders (MACRO) program is part of the Oakland Fire Department and provides non-law-enforcement responses to certain non-violent, non-emergency calls for service. MACRO teams are staffed by trained Crisis Responders and Emergency Medical Technicians who specialize in de-escalation, conflict resolution, behavioral health support, and resource navigation. The Town Care Café extends this mission by creating a proactive space for connection, outreach, and community support.

Interested in Partnering?

The Town Care Café continues to grow through the support of community organizations, service providers, businesses, and volunteers. If your organization is interested in participating, providing services, or exploring partnership opportunities, please contact the MACRO program to learn more. Together, we can build a healthier, safer, and more connected Oakland.