Activism
Larkspur’s Project Homekey Receives State Funds
“This program will address a critical need for safe, stable, permanent housing in Marin, and it’s a wonderful addition to the work that we have been doing together to address homelessness and create a place for people to belong to the community,” said Mary Kay Sweeney, the Executive Director of Homeward Bound of Marin. “We are delighted that it was awarded and look forward to seeing residents move in.”
More than $15 million to go toward housing for vulnerable residents
Courtesy of Marin County
The County of Marin has been awarded $15,497,200 in State of California funding to support the creation of 43-50 permanent supportive homes for people experiencing chronic homelessness. The funds will support the acquisition, rehabilitation, and operation of a former skilled nursing facility at 1251 South Eliseo Drive in Larkspur.
The site will be owned and operated by Episcopal Community Services (ECS), in partnership with the County of Marin. The property represents an opportunity to revitalize an underutilized parcel and serve vulnerable Marin residents experiencing homelessness through evidence-based interventions.
A hearing of the Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, Feb. 15, to formally accept the grant and confirm the County’s commitment of match funding.
“A project like this is an incredible opportunity to bring the most vulnerable into housing and provide the services they need to regain their health and well-being,” said Marin County Supervisor Katie Rice, whose district includes the City of Larkspur and surrounding unincorporated communities of Kentfield and Greenbrae. “Working with our partners and the community as we move forward, I am confident that 1251 South Eliseo will be a successful project for all concerned.”
In 2020, the State of California launched an innovative new housing program called Project Homekey to protect Californians experiencing homelessness who are at high risk for serious illness and are impacted by COVID-19. To date, Homekey has resulted in 6,029 new units of permanent housing statewide and has housed over 8,200 people. In Marin, the County received approximately $9.2 million in 2020 to aid the purchase of 62 new units of supportive housing in San Rafael and Corte Madera.
In early 2021, the State announced a second round of Homekey funding, through which a total of $1.4 billion would be made available to support Homekey projects throughout the state. In November, the County of Marin submitted the proposal for the South Eliseo site. On Feb. 9, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) informed the County that the site was selected for funding. As funds are being awarded on a rolling basis, HCD has not yet closed the competition or announced the complete list of awarded projects.
The facility at 1251 South Eliseo will be operated by ECS as a 43-50-unit building for single adults experiencing chronic homelessness.
Permanent supportive housing, an evidence-based housing intervention that combines affordable housing solutions with wraparound support services, is a proven solution to chronic homelessness. These support services, including case management and mental health, educational, and vocational services, help residents achieve housing stability and improve health outcomes.
“We are proud to partner with the County to provide a meaningful housing opportunity for those burdened by homelessness in Marin,” said Beth Stokes, Executive Director of ECS. “We look forward to welcoming new residents to the site and working with the community to make this project successful.”
In July 2021, the County of Marin selected ECS to be its development sponsor for the Project Homekey 2.0 initiative. ECS has provided essential services to homeless San Franciscans since 1983, utilizing a holistic approach that addresses the complex causes leading to homelessness. Last year, they served more than 13,000 people, guided by their mission to help homeless and very low-income people every day and every night obtain the housing, jobs, shelter, and essential services each person needs to prevent and end homelessness.
Today it is responsible for operating over 1,700 housing units, with over 98% of its residents retaining housing year over year. A cornerstone of ECS’ success has been its ability to establish authentic relationships in the communities it serves.
“This program will address a critical need for safe, stable, permanent housing in Marin, and it’s a wonderful addition to the work that we have been doing together to address homelessness and create a place for people to belong to the community,” said Mary Kay Sweeney, the Executive Director of Homeward Bound of Marin. “We are delighted that it was awarded and look forward to seeing residents move in.”
Since selecting the South Eliseo site, the County and ECS have conducted community outreach to neighbors and other community stakeholders. This includes three community meetings, a school-focused meeting, and several meetings with other stakeholders, including Kentfield School District, Safe Routes to Schools, Tam Union High School District, Marin Catholic High School, College of Marin, MarinHealth, Central Marin Police Authority, County of Marin Sheriff, Marin Community Clinics, the California Highway Patrol, Kentfield Fire, and Central Marin Fire.
A Community Advisory Group has recently been formed, which includes seven residents from the immediate neighborhood; two representatives from the Larkspur City Council (Scot Candell and Catherine Way); Supervisor Katie Rice; County staff; ECS staff; representatives from Kentfield School District Board of Trustees, Safe Routes to Schools, and the Central Marin Police Authority. At least one individual with lived experience of homelessness will be added.
Learn more on the County of Marin website about the property or Project Homekey or email Marin HHS staff. Additional information about the project, including a list of Frequently Asked Questions, can be found at www.1251seliseo.com. The site also allows anyone interested to sign up for regular project updates.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024
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.
Activism
Oakland Schools Honor Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties
Every Jan. 30, OUSD commemorates the legacy of Fred Korematsu, an Oakland native, a Castlemont High School graduate, and a national symbol of resistance, resilience, and justice. His defiant stand against racial injustice and his unwavering commitment to civil rights continue to inspire the local community and the nation. Tuesday was “Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution” in the state of California and a growing number of states across the country.
By Post Staff
Every Jan. 30, OUSD commemorates the legacy of Fred Korematsu, an Oakland native, a Castlemont High School graduate, and a national symbol of resistance, resilience, and justice.
His defiant stand against racial injustice and his unwavering commitment to civil rights continue to inspire the local community and the nation. Tuesday was “Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution” in the state of California and a growing number of states across the country.
One OUSD school is named in his honor: Fred T. Korematsu Discovery Academy (KDA) elementary in East Oakland.
Several years ago, founding KDA Principal Charles Wilson, in a video interview with anti-hate organization “Not In Our Town,” said, “We chose the name Fred Korematsu because we really felt like the attributes that he showed in his work are things that the children need to learn … that common people can stand up and make differences in a large number of people’s lives.”
Fred Korematsu was born in Oakland on Jan. 30, 1919. His parents ran a floral nursery business, and his upbringing in Oakland shaped his worldview. His belief in the importance of standing up for your rights and the rights of others, regardless of race or background, was the foundation for his activism against racial prejudice and for the rights of Japanese Americans during World War II.
At the start of the war, Korematsu was turned away from enlisting in the National Guard and the Coast Guard because of his race. He trained as a welder, working at the docks in Oakland, but was fired after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Fear and prejudice led to federal Executive Order 9066, which forced more than 120,000 Japanese Americans out of their homes and neighborhoods and into remote internment camps.
The 23-year-old Korematsu resisted the order. He underwent cosmetic surgery and assumed a false identity, choosing freedom over unjust imprisonment. His later arrest and conviction sparked a legal battle that would challenge the foundation of civil liberties in America.
Korematsu’s fight culminated in the Supreme Court’s initial ruling against him in 1944. He spent years in a Utah internment camp with his family, followed by time living in Salt Lake City where he was dogged by racism.
In 1976, President Gerald Ford overturned Executive Order 9066. Seven years later, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco vacated Korematsu’s conviction. He said in court, “I would like to see the government admit that they were wrong and do something about it so this will never happen again to any American citizen of any race, creed, or color.”
Korematsu’s dedication and determination established him as a national icon of civil rights and social justice. He advocated for justice with Rosa Parks. In 1998, President Bill Clinton gave him the Presidential Medal of Freedom saying, “In the long history of our country’s constant search for justice, some names of ordinary citizens stand for millions of souls … To that distinguished list, today we add the name of Fred Korematsu.”
After Sept. 11, 2001, Korematsu spoke out against hatred and discrimination, saying what happened to Japanese Americans should not happen to people of Middle Eastern descent.
Korematsu’s roots in Oakland and his education in OUSD are a source of great pride for the city, according to the school district. His most famous quote, which is on the Korematsu elementary school mural, is as relevant now as ever, “If you have the feeling that something is wrong, don’t be afraid to speak up.”
Activism
WOMEN IMPACTING THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY
Juanita Matthews, better known as “Sister Teacher,” is a walking Bible scholar. She moved to California from the great state of Arkansas in 1971. Sister Teacher has a passion for teaching. She has been a member of Bible Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church since 1971.
Sister Juanita Matthews
55 Years with Oakland Public School District
The Teacher, Mother, Community Outreach Champion, And Child of God
Juanita Matthews, better known as “Sister Teacher,” is a walking Bible scholar. She moved to California from the great state of Arkansas in 1971. Sister Teacher has a passion for teaching. She has been a member of Bible Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church since 1971. She followed her passion for teaching, and in 1977 became the lead teacher for Adult Class #6. Her motto still today is “Once My Student, Always My Student”.
Beyond her remarkable love for the Lord, Sister Teacher has showcased her love for teaching by working for the Oakland Unified School District for 55 years, all but four of those years spent at Emerson Elementary and Child Development School. She truly cares about her students, making sure they have the tools/supplies needed to learn either at OUSD or Bible Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church.
She’s also had a “Clothes Closet Ministry” for 51 years, making sure her students have sufficient clothing for school. The Clothes Closet Ministry extends past her students, she has been clothing the community for over 50 years as well. She loves the Lord and is a servant on a mission. She is a loving mother to two beautiful children, Sandra and Andre. This is the impact this woman of God has on her church and the community.
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