Connect with us

Commentary

City Government: Please Do No (More) Harm

Oakland city government declares war on the unemployed. An overstatement? Not really.

Published

on

First in a Series on Jobs in Oakland

Oakland city government declares war on the unemployed. An overstatement? Not really.

City administration professes concern for its residents who need help with access to jobs and training, while at the same time failing to issue contracts to the community organizations that stand ready to provide needed services.

The city council approved these contracts in June. As of late September, they have not been issued by the city administration.

Q: What does this mean? A: Non-profit organizations, operating on shoestring budgets in the best of times, have been required to advance their own funds in July, August, and September to serve the unemployed, with no reimbursement by the city because as the administration says, “Your contract has not been signed yet.”

Another impact: the workers who provide front line job services may not receive their paychecks on time…. creating unnecessary instability in their own households.

And who is responsible for issuing these contracts? Yup…it’s the city…. painfully tone deaf to the needs of the community, particularly those on the economic margins. Most of those served with job help are Black and Latinx residents who consistently suffer double digit unemployment. Many are returning home after incarceration.

And for this level of harmful disregard, the city receives  28 percent of scarce job training funds. Astonishing, since the city provides no direct services to job seekers.

As Oakland struggles with its horrific crime wave, it seems that attention would be paid to root causes, joblessness being paramount among them. Instead, the city administration seems intent on hobbling the very groups who stand ready to help. This happens year after year…. with no apparent consequences to an impenetrable bureaucracy.

Oakland, we can do  better than this.

We must.

The Oakland Post’s coverage of local news in Alameda County is supported by the Ethnic Media Sustainability Initiative, a program created by California Black Media and Ethnic Media Services to support community newspapers across California.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of July 9 – 15, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 9 – 15, 2025

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of July 2- 8, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 2 – 8, 2025

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of June 25 – July 1, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of June 25 – July 1, 2025

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Subscribe to receive news and updates from the Oakland Post

* indicates required

CHECK OUT THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE OAKLAND POST

ADVERTISEMENT

WORK FROM HOME

Home-based business with potential monthly income of $10K+ per month. A proven training system and website provided to maximize business effectiveness. Perfect job to earn side and primary income. Contact Lynne for more details: Lynne4npusa@gmail.com 800-334-0540

Facebook

Activism3 days ago

Oakland Post: Week of July 9 – 15, 2025

#NNPA BlackPress6 days ago

Black Americans Still Face Deep Retirement Gaps Despite Higher Incomes

#NNPA BlackPress1 week ago

Scorching Heat Sparks Bipartisan Climate Alarm

#NNPA BlackPress1 week ago

Michael Jackson Estate Files Court Petition Alleging $213 Million Extortion Plot by Frank Cascio

#NNPA BlackPress1 week ago

WATCH: Glynn Turman receives a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame July 10

#NNPA BlackPress1 week ago

POWER IN ACTION: Delta Sigma Theta Hosts 57th National Convention

#NNPA BlackPress1 week ago

Measles Cases Hit 33-Year Record as CORI Deploys Outbreak Response Tools

#NNPA BlackPress1 week ago

PRESS ROOM: Intuit Expands IDEAS Program Nationally: Applications Now Open for the Company’s Award-Winning Business Accelerator

#NNPA BlackPress1 week ago

Target Looks for Love in All the Wrong Places as Black Leaders Reject Corporate Spin

#NNPA BlackPress1 week ago

A ‘New Direction’: West Coast Black News Publisher, Dr. John Warren, Elected Board Chair of NNPA

#NNPA BlackPress1 week ago

Facing Pressure From Black Voters, Democrats Detail Fight Against 47th President’s Agenda

#NNPA BlackPress1 week ago

OBSERVER Awarded Grant to Expand to Stockton

#NNPA BlackPress1 week ago

Medicaid Enrollees Targeted for Forced Farm Work Under Trump Immigration Crackdown

#NNPA BlackPress1 week ago

L.A. Dodgers Owner’s Ties to Private Prisons and Surveillance Spark Backlash from Latino Fans

#NNPA BlackPress1 week ago

Early Childhood Educators at Head Starts and Other Programs Say They’re Facing Even More Challenges

Trending

Copyright ©2021 Post News Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.