Human Services Delivers Food, Offers Free Classes & Grants, and More This Holiday Season!

During this year's Community Day of Thanks (above), Human Services Department employees and volunteers handed out 3,000 meals around Oakland.

• Schedule a test for COVID-19 for free in Alameda County
• Get a flu shot for free this year - it might be the most important one you ever get
• Call 2-1-1 for personalized help connecting with health and human services programs
• Sign up for CA Notify to track COVID-19 exposures around you and your family.

Alameda County is temporarily adopting California’s Regional Stay-at-Home framework. From December 7, 2020 to January 4, 2021, all private gatherings are prohibited and new restrictions to businesses and services apply. See the summary of changes here. COVID-19 cases in Alameda County are currently trending upward (see data here) and it will take a collective effort to bend the curve once again, save lives and give us a chance to enter 2021 with more stability.

Older Oakland residents can access new virtual cooking and exercise classes thanks to a partnership between UC Davis and the City of Oakland, sponsored by the California Department of Public Health. This new Good Life Series is part of a clinical trial conducted by UC Davis, led by David K. Johnson, PhD. Director of the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center to look at the interaction between Alzheimer’s Disease and diabetes in minority communities in East Oakland. The program was originally set to begin in-person on April 1, 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program has pivoted to become a COVID-19 response team that delivers services to Oakland residents through a digital media campaign. By June 2020, the program had over 70 Seniors in their virtual exercise and cooking classes and has continued to connect those that may be experiencing isolation during these challenging times. The program has proven to be a remarkable success to the senior community by creating an inclusive environment and encouraging social connections among older adults. Seniors that are interested in joining the classes may enroll online by visiting thegoodlifepath.org.

Following special tax law changes made earlier this year, cash donations of up to $300 made before December 31, 2020, are now deductible when people file their taxes in 2021. "Our nation's charities are struggling to help those suffering from COVID-19, and many deserving organizations can use all the help they can get," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "The IRS reminds people there's a new provision that allows for up to $300 in cash donations to qualifying organizations to be deducted from income. We encourage people to explore this option to help deserving tax-exempt organizations – and the people and causes they serve." For more info, read this article.

Are you a young Oakland resident? Do you have ideas on ways to build community, healing, and promote safety in your community and schools? Here’s your chance to bring those ideas to life and make a big impact on your community! Oakland ReCAST is offering up to $5,000 in grant funds for your project. You must be between the ages of 13 and 21, and you must partner with an adult ally. The four categories for project ideas include: education and awareness about law enforcement interactions, community and relationship building, resiliency and healing, and addressing trauma. Applications are due January 19, 2021. For more information about the Youth-to-Youth mini-grant and how to apply, head to the Oakland Human Services website. You can download the application here.

Stress comes in many forms. It’s that uneasy feeling we get when we're upset — whether it's because we're angry, worried, depressed, or upset for other reasons. In these challenging times, it's very easy to be stressed and anxious. But thankfully, the San Francisco Stress Buster workshops are coming to the Oakland Senior Centers! The workshops will include info on how stress starts and a simple effective method to handle your reaction to situations. You’ll learn a five step process to reduce stress and help you better respond to any situation in a helpful less stressful way.

Dates: Every Wednesday starting on January 6, 2021

Time: 10am-10:30am

Duration: 10 weeks

Zoom Link HERE

Open enrollment for 2021 coverage through Covered California has begun. For 2021 coverage, the open-enrollment period is November 1, 2020, through January 31, 2021. California residents and lawfully present people in the state are eligible for a health plan through Covered California. Click here to apply or renew coverage. If you have recently experienced a qualifying life event, you can enroll at any time of the year. Medi-Cal enrollment is also year-round. Medi-Cal and Covered California use the same application. After you enter your information, you will find out whether you qualify for Medi-Cal or Covered California.

The Oakland Private Industry Council is offering one-time cash assistance of $599 per adult to people in need of financial support. PIC is also offering assistance with paying costs like rent and utility bills. To schedule an appointment, call the Oakland Career Center by the Lake: (510) 858-6742 or West Oakland Neighborhood Career Center: (510) 419-0392. For Spanish, call Mayra Ramirez at (510) 910-0986. In order to qualify, you must:

• Be affected financially by COVID-19
• Have proof of Right to Work in the USA
• Be a City of Oakland resident
• Homeless people and veterans are welcome to apply!