Bay Area

Kamala Harris Opens Campaign Office in Oakland

Published

6 years ago

October 3, 2019

With much fanfare at her arrival, Sen. Kamala Harris opened her Oakland campaign office in her bid to become the 46th president of the United States.

On Sunday, Sept. 29, more than 300 supporters, volunteers and fans met at 3900 Grand Avenue with photographers perched on rooftops to get the perfect shot of the property’s rear courtyard.

Taking the microphone to many cheers, rock-star style, Harris addressed the audience.
“Oakland represents the promise of America,” said Harris to applause. “We have the ability to see what can be, even if we haven’t seen it before. We have the faith to be unburdened by what has been. This election is about having faith to believe in what our country can be, unburdened by what has been,” said Harris.

“The last two years, people have been angry, depressed and afraid…but those of us in Oakland know that there is nothing we have achieved in this country that has been about progress, that hasn’t always come with a fight. Whether it is equal rights, civil rights or social justice, we know how to fight and we love a good fight.”

With a call for unity in the country, Harris dismissed the idea of conducting different conversations in different regions of the country. “Regardless of what folks look like, what language their grandmother speaks, what God they pray to, no matter the gender or race we all know that we have more in common than differences.”

Utilizing a coalition-building campaign strategy, Harris vowed to be about the community and among the community. “This race should not be about who you beat down, but who you lift up and there’s so much more that binds us than separates us.”

While the poll numbers show that Harris may be off to a slow start, she remains steadfast and fearless. “I’ve won every race that I have run. I work hard and I intend to earn the votes to win. There is no question (that) we need to have on that debate stage in the general election someone who has the ability to successfully prosecute the case against four more years of Donald Trump.”

Addressing the current scandal in the White House, Harris simply called for a due process of justice.
“The inspector general of the State Department needs to open an investigation into which staff employees and members of the State Department facilitated Rudy Giuliani as a private attorney under the president to engage in acts against the interest of the democracy and systemic justice in America and so (U.S. Secretary of State Mike) Pompeo should be required to be part of that investigation.”

U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee also attended the event in support of Harris.
“She will take on Donald Trump, we need the total opposite of this man in the White House and that would be Kamala Harris,” said Lee. “Kamala Harris stands for the power of the people.”

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf hailed Harris as a “warrior for justice.
“Democracy matters and it works, never underestimate an Oakland girl,” said Schaaf.
Schaaf along with San Francisco Mayor London Breed have had to flex their power up against Trump’s attacks on California and Oakland in particular regarding their stance on city sanctuary policies, immigrant rights and general compassion toward undocumented immigrants.

For Councilmember Lynette McElhaney, supporting Harris is personal. “Kamala stood with me and my family when my son was stolen from me,” said McElhaney — reffering to her son, Victor McElhaney, who was fatally shot in Los Angeles in March 2019. “As president, Kamala will make real the necessary gun reforms to keep America safe. It’s time to put Oakland in the White House.”

Also in attendance were Oakland City Councilmember Loren Taylor of District 6, State Assemblymember Buffy Wicks and State Assemblymember Rob Bonta.

Harris’ Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. sorority sister, Glenda Newell-Harris was also in attendance and excited to co-host a private fundraiser that evening.

Harris is also endorsed by Abel Guillen and Sheng Thao of the Oakland City Council, Berkeley City Councilmember Rashi Kesarwani, Emeryville City Councilmember Dianne Martinez, Berkeley Unified School District Trustee Ka’Dijah Brown and James Chang of the Berkeley Rent Board.

Other Northern California leaders backing Harris’ candidacy include Gov. Gavin Newsom, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, Secretary of State Alex Padilla, 24 members of the State Senate Democratic Caucus including President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins, civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, and numerous other municipal and local leaders.

Carla Thomas

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Activism

Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

3 days ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.

Oakland Post

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Activism

First 5 Alameda County Distributes Over $8 Million in First Wave of Critical Relief Funds for Historically Underpaid Caregivers

“Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers are lifelines for so many children and families in Alameda County,” said Kristin Spanos, CEO, First 5 Alameda County. “Yet, they often go unrecognized and undercompensated for their labor and ability to give individualized, culturally connected care. At First 5, we support the conditions that allow families to thrive, and getting this money into the hands of these caregivers and families at a time of heightened financial stress for parents is part of that commitment.”

Published

3 days ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Costco. Courtesy image.

Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers Can Now Opt Into $4,000 Grants to Help Bolster Economic Stability and Strengthen Early Learning Experiences

By Post Staff

Today, First 5 Alameda County announced the distribution of $4,000 relief grants to more than 2,000 Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers, totaling over $8 million in the first round of funding. Over the full course of the funding initiative, First 5 Alameda County anticipates supporting over 3,000 FFN caregivers, who collectively care for an estimated 5,200 children across Alameda County. These grants are only a portion of the estimated $190 million being invested into expanding our early childcare system through direct caregiver relief to upcoming facilities, shelter, and long-term sustainability investments for providers fromMeasure C in its first year. This investment builds on the early rollout of Measure C and reflects a comprehensive, system-wide strategy to strengthen Alameda County’s early childhood ecosystem so families can rely on sustainable, accessible care,

These important caregivers provide child care in Alameda County to their relatives, friends, and neighbors. While public benefits continue to decrease for families, and inflation and the cost of living continue to rise, these grants provide direct economic support for FFN caregivers, whose wages have historically been very low or nonexistent, and very few of whom receive benefits. As families continue to face growing financial pressures, especially during the winter and holiday season, these grants will help these caregivers with living expenses such as rent, utilities, supplies, and food.

The funding for these relief grants comes from Measure C, a local voter-approved sales tax in Alameda County that invests in young children, their families, communities, providers, and caregivers. Within the first year of First 5’s 5-Year Plan for Measure C, in addition to the relief grants to informal FFN caregivers, other significant investments will benefit licensed child care providers. These investments include over $40 million in Early Care and Education (ECE) Emergency Grants, which have already flowed to nearly 800 center-based and family child care providers. As part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, preparations are also underway to distribute facilities grants early next year for child care providers who need to make urgent repairs or improvements, and to launch the Emergency Revolving Fund in Spring 2026 to support licensed child care providers in Alameda County who are at risk of closure.

The FFN Relief Grants recognize and support the essential work that an estimated 3,000 FFN caregivers provide to 5,200 children in Alameda County. There is still an opportunity to receive funds for FFN caregivers who have not yet received them.

In partnership with First 5 Alameda County, Child Care Payment Agencies play a critical role in identifying eligible caregivers and leading coordinated outreach efforts to ensure FFN caregivers are informed of and able to access these relief funds.FFN caregivers are eligible for the grant if they receive a child care payment from an Alameda County Child Care Payment Agency, 4Cs of Alameda County, BANANAS, Hively, and Davis Street, and are currently caring for a child 12 years old or younger in Alameda County. Additionally, FFN caregivers who provided care for a child 12 years or younger at any time since April 1, 2025, but are no longer doing so, are also eligible for the funds. Eligible caregivers are being contacted by their Child Care Payment Agency on a rolling basis, beginning with those who provided care between April and July 2025.

“This money is coming to me at a critical time of heightened economic strain,” said Jill Morton, a caregiver in Oakland, California. “Since I am a non-licensed childcare provider, I didn’t think I was eligible for this financial support. I was relieved that this money can help pay my rent, purchase learning materials for the children as well as enhance childcare, buy groceries and take care of grandchildren.”

Eligible FFN caregivers who provided care at any time between April 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025, who haven’t yet opted into the process, are encouraged to check their mail and email for an eligibility letter. Those who have cared for a child after this period should expect to receive communications from their child care payment agency in the coming months. FFN caregivers with questions may also contact the agency they work with to receive child care payments, or the First 5 Alameda help desk, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, at 510-227-6964. The help desk will be closed 12/25/25 – 1/1/26. Additional grant payments will be made on a rolling basis as opt-ins are received by the four child care payment agencies in Alameda County.

Beginning in the second year of Measure C implementation, FFN caregivers who care for a child from birth to age five and receive an Alameda County subsidized voucher will get an additional $500 per month. This amounts to an annual increase of about $6,000 per child receiving a subsidy. Together with more Measure C funding expected to flow back into the community as part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, investments will continue to become available in the coming year for addressing the needs of childcare providers in Alameda County.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County builds the local childhood systems and supports needed to ensure our county’s youngest children are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and life.

Our Mission

In partnership with the community, we support a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves the lives of children from birth to age five and their families.

Our Vision

Every child in Alameda County will have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential.

Learn more at www.first5alameda.org.