Faith & Clergy

Community Celebrates Acts Cyrene Apartments – 59 Affordable Units In East Oakland

Published

6 years ago

December 14, 2017

Over 100 community members recently gathered to celebrate the grand opening of Acts Cyrene Apartments at 9400 International Boulevard. The 59-unit mixed used family development in East Oakland at 94th avenue was 10 years in the making, the dream of Bishop Bob Jackson, founder, and pastor of Acts Full Gospel Church of God in Christ (AFGC) on 66th avenue in Oakland.

Jackson beside his wife, Barbara Ann, took the podium beaming with happiness and pride in seeing the project come to fruition. “I am so thrilled to complete this affordable housing complex, so we can continue to put the neighbor back in the hood,” said Jackson.

In a unique partnership between the City of Oakland, Related California, the Oakland Housing Authority and Acts Community Development Corporation (ACDC), the project came together to create affordable housing in East Oakland. The site features state of the art one to three bedroom apartments featuring a fitness center, business center, picnic area, basketball, clubhouse and among other amenities. The location will also include 3500 square feet of retail space fronting International Boulevard between 94th and 96th Streets. The land for the project land was donated by the ACDC that raised and invested several million dollars in the project.

With a looming housing crisis throughout the bay area, Jackson says he will continue to build and form partnerships so that the homeless and working class can have affordable housing options.

A soon-to-be resident of the complex, Alisha Chambers attended with her newborn. She shared of how the rising cost of housing left her and her four children living among relatives and public spaces for the last five years.

“Over 6000 people applied to live here for 59 units, so we want to continue to work toward solutions to alleviate this housing crisis,” he said. “Many have had to move to Antioch, Vallejo, and Stockton and we want people to be able to stay in Oakland,” said Jackson who has relentlessly sought to increase affordable housing in Oakland and combat the impact of gentrification that displaces people of color disproportionately.

Jackson said the 10-year undertaking required perseverance and teamwork. Oakland City Council President Larry Reid who worked closely with Jackson joked about Jackson’s perseverance and persuasive tactics when the project appeared to stall.

“Bishop was not going to take ‘No’ or ‘We can’t do it,’ as an option and he had no reservations about letting me know this,” he joked. Reid thanked Oakland City Council Policy Analyst, Ray Leon for his help and coordination, just as Jackson gave heartfelt thanks to his associate pastor, Mark Claybrooks. “When I couldn’t make it to a meeting, Mark was always there, carrying the charge to get this project done,” said Jackson. Jackson already has plans to build another complex of senior housing right across the street from the Cyrene Apartments.

Speakers representing the Oakland Housing Authority and William A. Witte, Chairman, and CEO of Related California, addressed the audience. Dozens of community leaders, such as Councilmembers Lynette McElhaney and Abel Guillen came out for the ribbon cutting and reception. AFGC church members on the scene included Elder Edgar Allen, Chief Administrative Officer George Matthews, Juanita Walker, Sandy Claybrooks, Denise Emile, Marlinda Thorne, Annette Allen and others.

“Our bishop is all about transforming the community and creating change in East Oakland and the city,” said Emile. “He even named the complex Cyrene for its significance in the Bible – how special is that,” added Claybrooks.

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ICAC to Host Benefit Concert Jan. 20 to Keep Safe Car Park for Unhoused Open

It was chilly Monday evening at the reopening of the Interfaith Council of Alameda County’s (ICAC) Safe Car Park Program in West Oakland – a stark reminder of just how cold the night would be for those in the community without shelter. The safe car park has been temporarily closed due to lack of funding, and ICAC needs money to bridge the gap during these cold months until additional financial support from the city kicks in several months from now. To help bridge that gap, ICAC is sponsoring a concert at the Oakland Temple Hill Auditorium at 4780 Lincoln Ave. on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 5 p.m. The whole Bay Area community is invited to join this cause.

Published

3 months ago

January 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Lena Byrd Miles will perform at a concert to help keep the Safe Car Park open this winter. Courtesy photo.

By Debbie Bromley

Special to The Post

The safe car park has been temporarily closed due to lack of funding, and ICAC needs money to bridge the gap during these cold months until additional financial support from the city kicks in several months from now.

To help bridge that gap, ICAC is sponsoring a concert at the Oakland Temple Hill Auditorium at 4780 Lincoln Ave. on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 5 p.m. The whole Bay Area community is invited to join this cause.

This special evening of top-notch entertainment will feature Billboard artist Lena Byrd Miles, the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, and Destined2Dance.

Attendance will help support the ICAC in their charitable efforts in the community, especially their work to improve community health and safety and to feed and care for those in need of food and shelter.

Tickets are $20-35 and are available online at TempleHill.org.

At the Safe Car event on Monday, Miles stepped to the mic to share a song with the poignant lyrics, “If I can help somebody, as I travel along, if I can help somebody, with a word or song…my living shall not be in vain.”

Miles said she is honored to lend her gift to this effort. “We are to do as much as we can to help the needy and God repays us. And as we give to them it’s as if we are giving unto the Lord.”

As the cars began to roll in for the night, warmth began to emerge from all the service being rendered, making the chilly evening more bearable.

The portable trailer from WeHope was standing ready to offer showers, laundry facilities and a caseworker.

Paul Bains, CEO of Project WeHope and pastor of St. Samuel Church of God in Christ commented, “WE ALL help make this happen, as it truly does take a village to positively impact a community!”

LaMel A. Smith, director of the nonprofit Helping Others Win was also on hand. Smith helps provide a food distribution service at the site that serves about 3,000 people per week.

Dr. Kenneth Anderson William, pastor of Temple Baptist Church, added, “It was with joy to see families living in their cars return back to a Safe Car parking site. Safe car parking is needed in every city to provide resources for more sites.”

Dr. Michelle Myles Chambers, assistant pastor of West Side Missionary Baptist Church and director of the San Francisco Foundation’s FAITHS program, has been there from the beginning. “The San Francisco Foundation was excited to be on the ground floor with ICAC,” she said. “We’re all in on housing and fully support innovative supportive housing models.”

ICAC is grateful to the Walter and Elise Haas Fund and the Kapor Center for funding support, along with The San Francisco Foundation for supporting the reopening.

Other supporters attending were Natalie Walker of WeHope, Lena Byrd Miles’ manager Tina Carter, representatives from the office of Oakland City Council members Rebecca Kaplan and Nikki Fortunato Bas, and CBS News reporter Itay Hod.

As Dr. Ken Chambers, founding president of the ICAC and pastor of West Side M.B.C. and often reminds us, “Working together works!”

Attending a concert is an easy way to show support for these efforts.

Debbie Bromley is the Oakland Temple Hill communication co-director of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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FAME Oakland Observes Fire Disaster Anniversary with Gospel Artist Zacardi Cortez

A year after a fire destroyed its edifice, First AME Church of Oakland (FAME) will commemorate that tragic event with a three-day weekend of praise and worship. FAME, the East Bay’s oldest operating Black Church, will honor its 150-year history and officially launch the church’s vision for the future.

Published

3 months ago

January 23, 2024

Oakland Post

Dr. Rodney Smith and Rabbi Mark Bloom. Photos courtesy of FAME Oakland.

By Post Staff

A year after a fire destroyed its edifice, First AME Church of Oakland (FAME) will commemorate that tragic event with a three-day weekend of praise and worship.

FAME, the East Bay’s oldest operating Black Church, will honor its 150-year history and officially launch the church’s vision for the future.

Themed “Up From the Ashes,” the commemoration will be a three-day celebration of service, praise and gratefulness from Feb. 17 to 19.

“I have always believed that this was an opportunity to build back bigger and better, and to embrace FAME’s rich legacy of service and spiritual empowerment in Oakland,” said the Rev. Dr. Rodney Smith, Senior Pastor of FAME. I am overwhelmingly proud of FAME’s resilience and steadfastness to lean on God in this season.”

On Feb. 17, FAME will host a health-focused Community Day at Prescott Elementary featuring award-winning actor Delroy Lindo, local radio personality Cuzzin Dre and other special guests. On Sunday, Feb.18, there will be a commemorative worship service featuring guest preacher Rev. Greg Hunter (Olivet Oakland) to mark the last service before the fire.

At 7 p.m., the weekend will conclude with a musical performance by Grammy Award-nominated artist Zacardi Cortez, who has graced the stage with John P. Kee, James Fortune, Tye Tribbet, and more. Cortez is known for hits such as “Lord Do It for Me” and “You’ve Been Good to Me.”

In addition, the Rev. Jeffery Williams will minister. The evening will also feature a musical debut from Pastor Rodney.

“Despite what it looks like, we know God will give us joy instead of mourning and beauty for ashes! This is a major opportunity to reflect and remember that God always turns everything in your favor when He is in control,” said FAME First Lady, the Rev. Amittia Smith.

Tickets are $65. Limited VIP packages remain. To purchase or for more information, go to www.fameoakland.org

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Illegal Dumping Plagues Glad Tidings Community Church

For more than two years, Glad Tidings Community Church Pastor Jeremiah Captain has been fighting a losing battle with illegal dumping. As soon as Captain and church members clean up one illegal dump in front of the church at 18th avenue and E. 12th street, another follows almost daily.

Published

3 months ago

January 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Photos courtesy of Pastor Jeremiah Captain.

By Post Staff

For more than two years, Glad Tidings Community Church Pastor Jeremiah Captain has been fighting a losing battle with illegal dumping. As soon as Captain and church members clean up one illegal dump in front of the church at 18^th avenue and E. 12^th street, another follows almost daily.

He believes that individuals and businesses charged with clean-up see the illegal dump on the property and, instead of taking the trip to the junkyard, just follow suit and leave all manner of things on his doorstep: clothing, shoes, trash, used needles and condoms, mattresses, a refrigerator, paint, and other toxic fluids.

Captain says the problem has become so pervasive that it discourages members of the small congregation from attending Sunday service and impedes his ability to conduct his business as an insurance agent which is also located at that address. Besides the dumping, Captain has had to contend with vandalism to the building exterior, including splashed paint and other toxic wastes. He has had to repair four broken windows costing $300 each in the past few months.

There have also been break-ins, some averted and one where their drum set had been stolen but recovered a few blocks away. Despite repeatedly reporting the issue to Oak311 for clean-up and appealing to Oakland City Councilmember Nikki Fortunato-Bas, there has been no response so far.

Captain says his next step is to seek funding for motion detector lighting, security cameras and ground-level signage making it obvious that the site is a church. For more information, please call the church at 510-532-5743.