Lending Laptops, Rental Relief & More from the Human Services Department

• Sign up to get notified when you are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine.
• Schedule a test for COVID-19 for free in Alameda County.
• Call 2-1-1 for personalized help connecting with health and human services programs.
• Get free tax assistance from the City of Oakland!

Alameda County residents age 16 and older are now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine! While vaccine supplies remain limited, we will continue prioritizing appointments at our community PODs for our hardest-hit neighborhoods and people at highest risk of exposure.

The Oakland Coliseum vaccination site remains open. The site is open only to those who live or work in Alameda County and Contra Costa, with 8 drive-through lanes as well as walk-up appointments accessible by BART. Vaccine appointments are available at MyTurn.ca.gov or by calling 833-422-4255.

Over 1 million vaccine doses have been administered to Alameda County residents, and more than 430,000 residents are fully vaccinated.

See the CDC website for new mask guidelines for those who have been fully vaccinated: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html

The digital divide doesn’t just affect elementary school children — Oakland’s pre-K students need equitable access to technology too! Thanks to the City of Oakland Head Start’s new Technology Lending Library, low-income families with pre-K students now have access to rent a free touchscreen laptop. In the first month of the program, 150 Head Start families have already participated and checked out a laptop for the rest of the school year. The Technology Lending Library is funded by federal COVID-19 grant money.

Learn more about the Technology Lending Library here. The City of Oakland Head Start is currently enrolling students for the 2021-2022 school year! Apply for your child now!

One way the Human Services Department is spending its CARES Act funding is on the SOS Meals on Wheels program. SOS Meals On Wheels’ primary function is to deliver nutritious, balanced meals and friendly safety checks to homebound seniors. The program fights every day to keep seniors in their homes, healthy and happy, for as long as safely possible.

To receive a meal, participants must complete an annual registration form. For more information on the SOS Meals on Wheels program, head here.

• Lunch is served: Monday - Friday, 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. for pick-up
• No senior over 60 will be refused a meal due to lack of funds.
• Suggested Donation: $3.75 per meal (Meal ticket: $35.00/10 meals)

Struggling to pay rent? Have past due utility bills? Are you a housing provider who is owed rent? You may qualify for Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Program eligibility:

• Income is no greater than $65,250 for a 4-person household
• Qualify for unemployment or experiencing financial hardship
• At risk of experiencing housing instability or homelessness

To apply, visit: hpp.bayareacs.org or call one of our partners:

• Bay Area Community Services: 510.899.9289
• Catholic Charities East Bay: 510.860.4985
• Eviction Defense Center: 510.452.4541

Oakland Resilient Families will provide 600 randomly selected Oakland families with low incomes and at least 1 child under 18 a guaranteed income of $500 per month for at least 18 months. This income is unconditional, to use however the family chooses. Black, Indigenous, and people of color families in Oakland and the nation experience generational wealth inequities rooted in ongoing systemic racism. The movement for a guaranteed income is a tool for racial and gender equity.

Families can apply later this spring and will be randomly chosen for the $500/month. Oakland Resilient Families is open to undocumented residents and unsheltered families. Any eligible family will be able to apply. Oakland Resilient Families is 100% funded by philanthropic donations. You can stay updated on announcements and be notified when applications are available by signing up for updates. For more information including frequently asked questions, visit: https://oaklandresilientfamilies.org/

The DEEP is a worker-owned grocery cooperative dedicated to restoring East Oakland’s community with fresh organic produce, community education, and cooperative economics. The co-op’s online grocery service launches this week, and is open to all.

The DEEP (Deep East Oakland Empowering the People) was started with a vision and commitment to bring fresh and healthy food to deep East Oakland, a designated “food desert.” The founding members say the effort is as much about supporting local Black and brown farmers and creating jobs as it is about giving residents greater access to healthy foods. Users of the online grocery service will be able to purchase vegetables, fruits, meats, dairy products, baked goods, beans, pasta, nuts, herbs and spices, cleaning supplies, and much more.

The idea to start with an online grocery service came about during the pandemic. While opening a brick-and-mortar space was impractical given COVID safety concerns, the founders are now scouting for a store location in East Oakland. You can shop at The Deep online for pickup or delivery at DEEP Grocery Co-op.