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Open Letter: County Board of  Supervisors Should Reject Transfer of Youth Center to Sheriff’s Office

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By Chris Iglesias and Joe Brooks

Let’s not play politics with our youth. The school to prison pipeline is a reality for many Black and Brown young people in Alameda County.

Supervisor Nate Miley (District 4) is positioning the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office to take over the REACH Ashland Youth Center from its current lead operator, Alameda County Health Care Services Agency.

The foundation of this proposed transfer to a law enforcement agency goes against the fundamental values, philosophy and approach to community and youth investment that promote racial and gender equity, community building and sustaining healthy communities.

Law enforcement’s position in society is to enforce the law, militarize communities, not to mention that the Sheriff’s Office oversees county jail facilities and has an incentive to keep those beds filled.

REACH Ashland Youth Center was, and still is, a dream of youth and community members in the unincorporated area of Ashland/Cherryland in Alameda County.

After numerous years of planning and design, led and operated by the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency (HCSA), REACH opened its doors in 2013.

HCSA and partners engaged in extensive community/youth input, facility design, strategic planning process and developing public-private partnerships. REACH AYC primarily serves the unincorporated area of Alameda County (Ashland, Cherryland, San Lorenzo) – a community made up of predominantly working-class families, African-American and Latino, immigrants, undocumented community members and recent refugees.

The concerning matter is that Supervisor Miley is positioning the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office to take over the lead operations and management of the youth center without an extensive youth and community process, until mandated by the board in March.

According to a memo released in December 2017, he announced the decision to transfer management to the Sheriff’s Office, effective July 1, 2018.

Many community members are concerned about this change as it does not appear there was robust engagement with community stakeholders about the change of management of REACH from a health focused agency to a law enforcement agency.

Supervisor Miley is now backtracking, and the Board of Supervisors is requiring community input through a series of “listening sessions” to be held in April and May.

We demand an open, transparent, community/youth involved process for any decisions that transfer oversight of the REACH Ashland Youth Center (AYC) from Alameda County Health Care Services Agency (HCSA) to any agency that best meets the strategic goals of the youth center.

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors has a major decision to make. REACH AYC was created with an open, community led strategic planning process.
We urge each of you to contact your supervisor regarding REACH AYC and request the following:

 

  • Do Not Allow the transfer of REACH AYC to go from HCSA to the Sheriff’s Office and rescind the letter/memo that Supervisor Miley released;
  • Mandate that, if there is to be a change in the lead operator (County agency or other), the decision must be based on a new 5-year strategic plan for REACH AYC, that then goes out to public bid;
  • Ensure a fully engaged community and youth process is core to the strategic plan and that youth are in positions of decision making in the process/plan;
  • Require the bid process to go through a non-biased review committee;
  • Demand board oversight of transition, if it occurs.

Joe Brooks and Chris Iglesias are members of the African American Latino Action Alliance (AALAA).

 

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

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Arts and Culture

Prescott Circus Theatre Presents Free Summer Performance Series

Now in its 41st year, the Prescott Circus Theatre is a nationally recognized performing arts education program for Oakland youth. The circus offers safe environments that challenge Oakland youth, through circus arts training, to develop the skills and confidence to thrive on stage, in school, and in life.

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Prescott Circus showcase pathways pyramid. Photo courtesy of Prescott Circus.
Prescott Circus showcase pathways pyramid. Photo courtesy of Prescott Circus.

By Post Staff

The Prescott Circus, Oakland’s longest-running youth circus, is returning this summer with its free shows. Join the Prescott Circus’s young stars as they share their joys and talents through stilt-dancing, tumbling, juggling, and more.

At the heart of this one-hour show, which demonstrates teamwork, pride, and joy, are Oakland Unified School District students ages 8 – 17 from more than 10 different schools

Now in its 41st year, the Prescott Circus Theatre is a nationally recognized performing arts education program for Oakland youth. The circus offers safe environments that challenge Oakland youth, through circus arts training, to develop the skills and confidence to thrive on stage, in school, and in life.

This is accomplished through no-cost school and community programs for more than 300 Oakland youth each year. Performing company members from Prescott, where the program began, perform and make appearances at as many as 40 Bay Area events each year.

The summer program is funded in part by Oakland Fund for Children and Youth, California Arts Council, Port of Oakland, and the West Davis & Bergard Foundation.

Performances will be held Tuesday, July 14, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (ASL interpreted) and Wednesday, July 15, 11 a.m., at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland. For free reservations go to

https://PrescottCircusSummerShows.eventbrite.com

For group reservations for camps, childcare centers, senior centers, go to www.prescottcircus.org

A community show will be held Saturday, July 18, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., at DeFremery Park,1651 Adeline St., Oakland.

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Activism

NPRC Joins National Grand Jury Proceedings Seeking Accountability, Constitutional Restoration

Organizers state that testimony will explore historical and political developments that they believe have contributed to the expansion of corporate influence over public institutions and governmental decision-making. Participants are expected to discuss concerns regarding constitutional governance, individual liberties, property rights, and the protection of vulnerable populations, including seniors and persons with disabilities.

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Photo by Billie Powers.
Photo by Billie Powers.

Special to The Post

The National Probate Reform Coalition (NPRC) has joined Toll and Roll and a growing coalition of advocacy organizations, victims, whistleblowers, and citizen groups in support of a nationally broadcast People’s Grand Jury proceeding scheduled for July 1 and July 7.

Organizers describe the event as a public forum designed to examine allegations of government abuse, judicial misconduct, legislative failures, and the erosion of constitutional protections affecting millions of Americans.

The proceedings will feature testimony from victims, families, advocates, and organizations from across the country who contend they have experienced harm through government actions, institutional neglect, and failures of oversight.

According to organizers, the People’s Grand Jury will focus on concerns involving probate courts, guardianships, conservatorships, child welfare systems, property rights, civil liberties, and what participants view as a growing disconnect between government institutions and the constitutional rights of the people they are sworn to serve.

NPRC is participating because many of the issues being examined mirror the concerns raised by advocates, victims, and families who have participated in its monthly town halls. For years, families have reported cases involving exploitation of elders, questionable guardianships, estate depletion, denial of due process, and a lack of meaningful oversight within probate court systems.

“This proceeding gives victims and advocates an opportunity to place their experiences on the public record,” said Tanya Dennis, lead facilitator of NPRC. “For too long, families have struggled to have their voices heard regarding elder abuse, probate exploitation, and government inaction. This forum allows those stories to be shared before a national audience.”

Organizers state that testimony will explore historical and political developments that they believe have contributed to the expansion of corporate influence over public institutions and governmental decision-making. Participants are expected to discuss concerns regarding constitutional governance, individual liberties, property rights, and the protection of vulnerable populations, including seniors and persons with disabilities.

In keeping with principles of transparency and fairness, invitations have been extended to legislators, members of the judiciary, law enforcement representatives, and other public officials who may wish to respond to concerns raised during the proceedings or defend actions taken by their respective institutions.

One of the primary outcomes sought by organizers is public consideration and support for the People’s Remedy and Restoration Act, a proposed legislative framework that advocates believe would strengthen oversight, increase accountability, provide remedies for victims of governmental abuse, and restore constitutional protections.

The proceedings are expected to be broadcast nationally, providing citizens throughout the United States an opportunity to observe testimony, review evidence presented, and participate in an ongoing conversation regarding government accountability and the protection of individual rights.

Advocates hope the hearings will encourage meaningful dialogue, legislative reform, and renewed public engagement in the democratic process.

Individuals, organizations, public officials, and members of the media interested in attending or obtaining access information may contact the organizers at tollandroll2025@gmail.com.

As Americans continue to debate the future of constitutional governance, judicial accountability, and the protection of vulnerable citizens, the July proceedings are expected to serve as a significant forum for public testimony and civic engagement. For more information, go to https://tollandroll.com

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