Bay Area

Burglary at Offices of OCCUR Longtime Community Organization

Reports from both organizations were filed with the Oakland Police Department, which is still investigating the crimes. “There was this moment of sheer disbelief,” said Alexander upon discovering the break-in. “And then a variety of emotions ranging from confusion, fear, and tremendous anger that our personal and professional spaces and property had been invaded and violated,” she said. “Why would anyone want to do this?”

Published

2 years ago

April 3, 2022

Oakland Post

OCCUR’s Executive Director Sondra Alexander.

By Post Staff

For the first time in OCCUR’s 65 years in operation, its offices were burglarized on Wednesday March 23, 2022.

That morning Post News Group employee Brenda Hudson alerted OCCUR’s Executive Director Sondra Alexander that a burglary had taken place at the OCCUR office.

When Alexander arrived at the office, the floors, normally clutter-free, were strewn with paper. Her desk drawer and those of associates were pulled out, and their contents rifled through.

Besides OCCUR, the Post News Group offices, which are located in the same building were also burglarized and vandalized.

OCCUR’s Enduring Relevance

Alexander’s questions are especially poignant in light of OCCUR’s objectives and relevance in Oakland for decades. Founded to provide economic opportunities for low-income people of color in Oakland, the organization has continuously implemented programs that have made profound enhancements to neighborhoods in most need.

The David E. Glover Emerging Technology Center located in East Oakland is a perfect example. The facility is an extensive technological training center for residents of all ages. Founded in 1987, the Center makes it possible for anyone seeking knowledge to be trained in computer skills and receive early-stage access to coding, artificial intelligence, programming, and other marketable skills.

It is crucial that Oakland’s most marginalized residents acquire these skills to compete and succeed.

“With the ramping up of our capacity-building programs, OCCUR is not letting the burglary derail us,” said Charla Montgomery, OCCUR’s program consultant. “Now more than ever, it is important that OCCUR reaches as many communities as possible and all those committed to positive change throughout the Bay Area.”

Despite Oakland’s ever-changing demographics, which is vividly apparent in dwindling Black residency and homeownership, school closures, and an unprecedented homelessness crisis OCCUR remains committed.

Organizational and neighborhood leaders across the city and the greater Bay Area know how vital OCCUR has been and continues to be for marginalized communities.

Whether it be the mini-grant program for Oakland small businesses, or the capacity building/development resources for nonprofits and faith-based organizations, OCCUR has been an ever-present stalwart supporter.

Today, Alexander and the entire OCCUR team are focusing on doing what they and their predecessors started 65 years ago: That is being a catalyst for bringing together neighborhood residents, merchants, and government to strengthen the economic development potential of emerging communities.

With the shock of the burglary also comes a determination to continue and to carry on and OCCUR looks forward to providing the crucial programs our community needs and deserves.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

Supervisors Provide Feedback on Budget Priorities

Don't Miss

Oakland Council Leadership Call for Pay Equity, Investigation of DVP Deputy Chief’s Termination

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of July 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 24 – 30, 2024

Published

23 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of July 17 -23, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 17 -23, 2024

Published

7 days ago

July 20, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Bay Area

Op-Ed Senate Bill 966 Threatens Health Equity in East Bay

My East Bay community is struggling to get by. A proposed State Senate bill would set us back even further. Serving the East Bay community has been my life’s work and my greatest joy. After leaving the Bay Area to complete my seminary, I returned home to found The Community Church in Oakland. From the outset of my time as the church’s pastor, I have been guided by the belief that my service must extend beyond the pulpit, because the health and economic needs of my community are so great. Our church has organized free food banks, COVID-19 testing clinics, and a housing and re-entry program for those suffering from addiction.

Published

1 week ago

July 19, 2024

Oakland Post

Rev. Dr. Lawrence E. VanHook

By Rev. Dr. Lawrence E. VanHook

Special to the Post

My East Bay community is struggling to get by. A proposed State Senate bill would set us back even further.

Serving the East Bay community has been my life’s work and my greatest joy. After leaving the Bay Area to complete my seminary, I returned home to found The Community Church in Oakland.

From the outset of my time as the church’s pastor, I have been guided by the belief that my service must extend beyond the pulpit, because the health and economic needs of my community are so great. Our church has organized free food banks, COVID-19 testing clinics, and a housing and re-entry program for those suffering from addiction.

Through my service, I have seen the challenges that our community members are facing. Oakland, my hometown, has the third-highest rate of violent crime in the state. The local economy is strained. Oakland-based businesses are leaving our community because they’re struggling to get ahead.

Both East and West Oakland has disproportionately high rates of respiratory illness due to heavy air pollution. While our local efforts have brought some aid to those in need, we are also counting on our state elected officials to help us address the systemic health disparities afflicting the community.

Chief among the health concerns of community members is having reliable and affordable access to prescription drugs. Equitable access to medications gives us the peace of mind that we can keep ourselves and our families healthy and safe. Our community should not have to choose between paying rent or purchasing prescriptions.

Unfortunately, rather than taking action to combat soaring prescription drug prices, some California lawmakers are pushing legislation that could raise patient costs at the pharmacy counter.

The Legislature is currently considering SB 966, a bill backed by special interests that would undercut the few tools we have to keep prescription drug costs contained, letting big drug companies increase their prices, profiting on the backs of working families – some of whom already live paycheck to paycheck.

SB 966 would target the fundamental programs through which small businesses, unions, and government health programs are able to offer their employees and members quality and affordable healthcare. Millions of Californians rely on these plans to obtain essential medications at the lowest-possible cost.

The bill would make it illegal for employers and unions to incentivize the administrators of their prescription drug plans to negotiate for the lowest possible cost for prescriptions. Right now, small businesses and unions can choose to pay these administrators more for taking on big drug companies and securing discounts – a choice that will be outlawed under this bill.

As a result, employers will have no leverage to stop big drug companies from setting sky-high prices, disproportionately impacting working families.

As these health costs quickly add up, employers will have little choice but to pass the increases down to their employees. That means California patients will see higher healthcare costs and co-pays.

From my perspective, most concerning is that the bill would exacerbate the health disparities impacting my community and other underserved populations. If SB 966 becomes law, the most vulnerable may be forced to skip prescription doses, stop filling their prescriptions, and avoid essential care.

By rejecting this cash grab by big drug companies, our state elected officials can send a clear message that they stand with the community, patients, and working families.

We cannot afford SB 966.

Rev. Dr. VanHook is the founder and pastor of The Community Church in Oakland and the founder of The Charis House, a re-entry facility for men recovering from alcohol and drug abuse.