Community

Grassroots Efforts Growing To Address Public Health “Crises”

Published

9 years ago

September 16, 2017

Rupa Marya, M.D., a UCSF professor and co-founder of the #DoNoHarm Coalition, believes police violence must be addressed as a public health crisis.

Grassroots efforts around the Bay Area are growing as local organizations find that governmental efforts to address social problems are taking too long or are ineffective. Hunger, homelessness, systemic racism, police violence and more, are taking a toll on public health across the country, and people decide they are going to “do something.”

In the 1990s, the Clinton “welfare reform” encouraged local communities to form non-profits to apply for state and federal grants to develop their own programs to address problems in their communities. The net effect was not sufficient to help those in need.

But now, there appears to be a resurgence of this spirit of “we’re going to do what we can to make a difference.”

Here are several examples of local initiatives:

The First Presbyterian Church of Oakland has had a meal program for a number of years and is now considering expanding that ministry to meet the broader needs of their service community.

According to the team leader of the food ministry, Bill Coburn, “We see the same people over and over and get acquainted with them. We want to help them navigate to places to meet all their needs, not just serving them two times a week.”

Pastor Deborah Avery of First Presbyterian heads a discussion group working on the possibility of forming a non-profit to expand the Food Ministry efforts.

Another effective community effort is centered in San Francisco with the #DoNoHarm Coalition.

#DoNoHarm publicly and effectively addressed San Francisco Police Department violence, leading to the termination of Police Chief Greg Suhr. Medical staff associated with the coalition wheeled hunger strikers from the Mission District to City Hall, and the public image of that was compelling.

UCSF professor Rupa Marya, M.D., worked with the coalition, and by invitation, she assisted at Standing Rock with medical aid during the pipeline stand-off.

She believes that many of the current social justice problems are really public health crises. The coalition is already doing research on the health effects of evictions.

“We are also in the preliminary stages of developing a nationwide survey of experiences people have when justice is not being served,” she said.

Addressing homelessness head-on in its public ministries cohort, Allen Temple Baptist Church recently pressured city and county elected officials to remove homeless encampments around the church at 85th Avenue and International Boulevard in East Oakland.
But they were removed “compassionately,” with counselors present and none of the “sweep” activity, which has caused trauma to so many.

For more information, go to: www.donoharm.org.

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Former Trustee Alena Maunder Seeks Reelection to Sausalito Marin City School District Board

Alena Maunder, a third-generation Marin City resident and registered nurse with over 20 years of healthcare experience, is seeking reelection to the Sausalito Marin City School District Board. Having previously served as a trustee from 2020 to 2024, Maunder highlights her background in governance, fiscal oversight, and community advocacy as key qualifications for the role. Her platform focuses on academic excellence, mental health supports, and special education. She remains committed to fostering stronger relationships between families and educators to ensure student success. Read more about her campaign priorities.

Published

2 hours ago

November 2, 2026

Post News Group

By Special to The Post

Alena Maunder is a third-generation Marin City resident, parent, community advocate, and former Sausalito Marin City School District Trustee who served from 2020 to 2024.

Professionally, Alena is a registered nurse with more than 20 years of healthcare experience and nine years in leadership. She holds degrees in Psychology and Nursing, as well as a Master of Science in Nursing.

With school board experience, she brings a strong understanding of governance, fiscal oversight, accountability, and the importance of stable district leadership.

Alena has also remained actively involved in Marin City through community service, youth programs, and initiatives focused on strengthening opportunities and resources for children and families.

Maunder is seeking to return to the Board to continue advocating for academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, strong special education and mental-health supports, and meaningful community engagement. She is committed to strengthening relationships among students, educators, families, and the Marin City and Sausalito communities while ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Her campaign reflects her commitment to “Experienced Leadership. Students First.”

Learn more at www.electalenasmcsd.com.

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Community

Becerra Urges Black Leaders to Turn Out the Vote in Record Numbers

Former U.S. Secretary of Health Xavier Becerra recently visited Oakland to meet with prominent Black leaders just one week before the upcoming November election. Joined by Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee and Sacramento Observer Publisher Larry Lee, Becerra emphasized the importance of high voter turnout at Oakstop, a local Black-owned business. The meeting focused on community protection and collective efforts to support California’s diverse populations as the campaign for the governorship enters its final days. Visit our website to read more.

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Becerra Urges Black Leaders to Turn Out the Vote in Record Numbers

A week before the Nov. 3 election where he hopes to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom as the next democratic governor, former U.S. Secretary of Health Xavier Becerra (center) stopped in Oakland to meet with Black leaders. Welcomed by Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee (center right), who is seeking reelection herself, Becerra said he was proud to stand with Black leaders in Oakland as Election Day grows closer. “Thank you to the elected officials, faith leaders, civic and community leaders who joined us at Oakstop, a Black-owned business that supports local entrepreneurs, artists, and community organizations. This election is about protecting all of California’s communities,” he said. “Let’s finish together.” They were joined by constituents Paul and Gay Cobb (left) and Sacramento Observer Publisher Larry Lee (right). Photo by Jonathan ‘Fitness’ Jones.