Bay Area

Oakland’s Mosswood Park Unhoused Residents Fenced In

Published

6 years ago

December 14, 2019

Operation Dignity has installed a fence around those living in approximately 60 tents at Mosswood Park and has a goal of connecting those living in the area with housing by Jan. 31. Pamela Gonzalez Wells (left) and William Wells live in the park and are skeptical about the project.

On Tuesday Dec. 4, workers for Security Contract Services installed a fence surrounding a community of unhoused residents who live in tents at Mosswood Park in Oakland, directly across from Kaiser Permanente’s medical center.

The fence is part of a project organized by Operation Dignity, a non-profit that regularly contracts with the city to offer services to unhoused people. They also inform communities of unhoused people about evictions and city run cleanings.

“The fence makes this place feel like a refugee camp,” said William Wells during an interview with The Oakland Post at Mosswood Park. He’s lived in the park with his wife, Pamela Gonzalez Wells, for the last 14 months.

The couple helps the community both by regularly cleaning the park and by maintaining a food table where residents can almost always find a meal. Most food they serve is donated by people who live outside the park.

The fence, which runs along almost an entire block of Broadway and surrounds approximately 60 tents, originally had green cloth attached to which made it impossible for those passing by to see those living in tents. Although this provided some privacy, Mosswood’s residents started tearing the green cloths down after four days as it prevented those who donated food from knowing residents were still living in the park.

“People from all over the park came and said they’re hungry,” said Pamela. “It was four days and there was no food. It’s because they didn’t know we were here.”

Unhoused residents in the park say representatives from Operation Dignity brought pizza and visited them on Wednesday Nov. 27 to inform them of the plan.

“They told us that their goal was to get everybody that’s in this fenced area some sort of housing by Jan. 31st” said Charice Jimenez, who’s lived in a tent at Mosswood Park for a year and a half. “My understanding is Kaiser just doesn’t want us here and so they’re willing to pay to get us gone.”

Residents claimed that Operation Dignity informed them they were working with Kaiser to find housing options for the residents and to make the community less visible.

“They said they were putting it up because Kaiser’s patients were scared,” said Jimenez. “I feel like we’re tigers. They’re scared of the tigers and so they put them in a cage to make sure everyone’s contained.”

In an email to The Oakland Post, Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California Director of Strategic Initiatives, Angela Jenkins, stated that “housing plays a critical role in supporting individual health” and confirmed that Kaiser was working with Operation Dignity to find housing for those living in Mosswood. She didn’t comment on the fence.

“We are working with Operation Dignity to provide the encamped residents at Mosswood Park with housing navigation support, one-on-one case management and housing problem solving services, funding for two 24-hour security guards, storage for belongings, and flexible and funding to help with move-in costs,” wrote Jenkins.

Mosswood Park’s residents regularly use Kaiser’s toilets and microwave before 8 pm, when the center closes down for all but emergency room services. Occasionally residents register to see a doctor in the ER even when they don’t have a pressing medical issue just so they can access the toilet. Jimenez claims she did this once, but would never have had to if the city of Oakland hadn’t locked the public toilets at the park.

Operation Dignity has also arranged for security guards to work on the site all day and night with the purpose of preventing additional people from setting up tents within the fenced off area. They usually stay in a vehicle by the fenced off area’s entrance and exit.

Residents within the park expressed skepticism that they would secure housing through Operation Dignity’s program. Pamela and William both claim they asked Operation Dignity’s representatives if they could sign a contract guaranteeing alternative housing options if they left the park by Jan. 31 but have been unable to get one. They also say Operation Dignity’s housing options posed during the Nov. 27 meeting included moving to Sacramento, Merced or Vallejo, utilizing the city’s Community Cabins site which houses residents in sheds, and organizing groups of six people together to live in houses, two to a room, so they’d have enough money to pay rent regularly by pooling money together.

Pamela was concerned that there seemed to be no plan for employment. Many residents at the park are unemployed and, although Pamela and William both make regular income by selling used clothes, they claim that it would be hard to convince a landlord to rent to them.

“What if all this is to get us out and then nothing happens?” said William Wells.

The Oakland Post emailed Tomika Perkins, Operation Dignity’s Operations/Outreach Director twice for comment, but has not heard back. We also emailed Maraskeshia Smith, The City of Oakland’s assistant city administrator, to ask about the city’s involvement at Mosswood but we haven’t heard back. We will update their comments into the online version of the story when and if they comment.

Zack Haber

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Oakland Post: Week of December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

Published

2 days ago

January 2, 2026

Oakland Post

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Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

6 days ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.

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First 5 Alameda County Distributes Over $8 Million in First Wave of Critical Relief Funds for Historically Underpaid Caregivers

“Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers are lifelines for so many children and families in Alameda County,” said Kristin Spanos, CEO, First 5 Alameda County. “Yet, they often go unrecognized and undercompensated for their labor and ability to give individualized, culturally connected care. At First 5, we support the conditions that allow families to thrive, and getting this money into the hands of these caregivers and families at a time of heightened financial stress for parents is part of that commitment.”

Published

6 days ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Costco. Courtesy image.

Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers Can Now Opt Into $4,000 Grants to Help Bolster Economic Stability and Strengthen Early Learning Experiences

By Post Staff

Today, First 5 Alameda County announced the distribution of $4,000 relief grants to more than 2,000 Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers, totaling over $8 million in the first round of funding. Over the full course of the funding initiative, First 5 Alameda County anticipates supporting over 3,000 FFN caregivers, who collectively care for an estimated 5,200 children across Alameda County. These grants are only a portion of the estimated $190 million being invested into expanding our early childcare system through direct caregiver relief to upcoming facilities, shelter, and long-term sustainability investments for providers fromMeasure C in its first year. This investment builds on the early rollout of Measure C and reflects a comprehensive, system-wide strategy to strengthen Alameda County’s early childhood ecosystem so families can rely on sustainable, accessible care,

These important caregivers provide child care in Alameda County to their relatives, friends, and neighbors. While public benefits continue to decrease for families, and inflation and the cost of living continue to rise, these grants provide direct economic support for FFN caregivers, whose wages have historically been very low or nonexistent, and very few of whom receive benefits. As families continue to face growing financial pressures, especially during the winter and holiday season, these grants will help these caregivers with living expenses such as rent, utilities, supplies, and food.

The funding for these relief grants comes from Measure C, a local voter-approved sales tax in Alameda County that invests in young children, their families, communities, providers, and caregivers. Within the first year of First 5’s 5-Year Plan for Measure C, in addition to the relief grants to informal FFN caregivers, other significant investments will benefit licensed child care providers. These investments include over $40 million in Early Care and Education (ECE) Emergency Grants, which have already flowed to nearly 800 center-based and family child care providers. As part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, preparations are also underway to distribute facilities grants early next year for child care providers who need to make urgent repairs or improvements, and to launch the Emergency Revolving Fund in Spring 2026 to support licensed child care providers in Alameda County who are at risk of closure.

The FFN Relief Grants recognize and support the essential work that an estimated 3,000 FFN caregivers provide to 5,200 children in Alameda County. There is still an opportunity to receive funds for FFN caregivers who have not yet received them.

In partnership with First 5 Alameda County, Child Care Payment Agencies play a critical role in identifying eligible caregivers and leading coordinated outreach efforts to ensure FFN caregivers are informed of and able to access these relief funds.FFN caregivers are eligible for the grant if they receive a child care payment from an Alameda County Child Care Payment Agency, 4Cs of Alameda County, BANANAS, Hively, and Davis Street, and are currently caring for a child 12 years old or younger in Alameda County. Additionally, FFN caregivers who provided care for a child 12 years or younger at any time since April 1, 2025, but are no longer doing so, are also eligible for the funds. Eligible caregivers are being contacted by their Child Care Payment Agency on a rolling basis, beginning with those who provided care between April and July 2025.

“This money is coming to me at a critical time of heightened economic strain,” said Jill Morton, a caregiver in Oakland, California. “Since I am a non-licensed childcare provider, I didn’t think I was eligible for this financial support. I was relieved that this money can help pay my rent, purchase learning materials for the children as well as enhance childcare, buy groceries and take care of grandchildren.”

Eligible FFN caregivers who provided care at any time between April 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025, who haven’t yet opted into the process, are encouraged to check their mail and email for an eligibility letter. Those who have cared for a child after this period should expect to receive communications from their child care payment agency in the coming months. FFN caregivers with questions may also contact the agency they work with to receive child care payments, or the First 5 Alameda help desk, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, at 510-227-6964. The help desk will be closed 12/25/25 – 1/1/26. Additional grant payments will be made on a rolling basis as opt-ins are received by the four child care payment agencies in Alameda County.

Beginning in the second year of Measure C implementation, FFN caregivers who care for a child from birth to age five and receive an Alameda County subsidized voucher will get an additional $500 per month. This amounts to an annual increase of about $6,000 per child receiving a subsidy. Together with more Measure C funding expected to flow back into the community as part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, investments will continue to become available in the coming year for addressing the needs of childcare providers in Alameda County.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County builds the local childhood systems and supports needed to ensure our county’s youngest children are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and life.

Our Mission

In partnership with the community, we support a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves the lives of children from birth to age five and their families.

Our Vision

Every child in Alameda County will have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential.

Learn more at www.first5alameda.org.