Activism

Resources for SoCal Fire Evacuees: Sign Up for No-Cost Meals, Phone Service, Rides and More

As of Jan.10, 10 deaths have been reported while emergency responders are still combing through the damage. The blaze has so far impacted over 45 square miles of land, over 180,000 residents were issued evacuation orders and nearly 350,000 energy customers are without power, including 200,000 in LA County alone.

Published

1 year ago

January 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Trees and bushes in or near yards were typically the first to catch fire before the blazes spread to homes. Altadena, Calif. Jan. 8, 2025. Photo by Solomon O. Smith

By Edward Henderson, California Black Media

Authorities in California and Washington continue to assess the fallout from the five devastating wildfires in Southern California caused by a mix of dry conditions and powerful Santa Ana winds.

With a high number of displaced people, government agencies, local businesses and other organizations are offering support and resources to evacuees and first responders.

The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has listed a range of information with links available on its website.

Unemployment Insurance – Individuals affected by the fires can apply for unemployment benefits immediately. Because Gov. Newsom has proclaimed a State of Emergency, they do not have to wait a week to begin receiving payments.

FEMA has announced additional resources for affected Californians. People affected by the fires may be eligible for financial assistance. Additional information and guidance can be accessed at disasterassistance.gov.

The California Department of Insurance has updated its services and resources list to assist individuals navigating the insurance claims process.

The Red Cross is offering shelters for displaced fire victims. Anyone who needs a safe place to stay can find shelters at redcross.org, the free Red Cross Emergency app or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

Los Angeles is providing business owners services like one-on-one consultation, business and employment support, and assistance with applying for forthcoming microenterprise grants and microloans at the city’s 10 BusinessSource Centers (BSCs).

L.A. Based Author, Activist and Media Strategist Jasmyne Cannick provided this list of services families affected by the fires can use to connect to resources available to them.

Restaurants in the Los Angeles area have offered free meals for those displaced by the fire. This list hosted on the LA Times website is updated daily with locations participating in aid for those in need of something to eat.

The Abbey West Hollywood is offering free meals to evacuees and first responders

AT&T is offering wildfire areas unlimited data, talk and text through Feb. 6. An official list of zip codes can be found here.

Verizon has waived call, text and data charges for customers in hardest hit areas. Free wi-fi and charging stations have been deployed at three wildfire shelters.

The Jewish Federation of LA is directing evacuees and affected families to various resources, including legal support, mental health resources and volunteer opportunities.

Airbnb, in collaboration with 211 LA, is offering free temporary housing for residents displaced or forced to evacuate.

Uber and Lyft are helping evacuated residents with free rides to shelter locations.

U-Haul is opening its facilities across Southern California for 30 days of free self-storage to victims. The U-Box container disaster relief program is also available to assist evacuees and affected families.

Planet Fitness is providing people free access to locker rooms, showers, HydroMassage loungers, electrical outlets and Wi-Fi, regardless of membership status. The offer is valid until Jan. 15 at Planet Fitness locations across Los Angeles County that the wildfires haven’t impacted.

If you or a loved one is struggling with a mental health crisis due to the impact of the wildfires, call or text 988. You can also click here to use 988 Lifeline Chat.

Oakland Post

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Activism

Chase Oakland Community Center Hosts Alley-Oop Accelerator Building Community and Opportunity for Bay Area Entrepreneurs

Over the past three years, the Alley-Oop Accelerator has helped more than 20 Bay Area businesses grow, connect, and gain meaningful exposure. The program combines hands-on training, mentorship, and community-building to help participants navigate the legal, financial, and marketing challenges of small business ownership.

Published

1 week ago

February 21, 2026

Oakland Post

Bay Area entrepreneurs attend the Alley-Oop Accelerator, a small business incubation program at Chase Oakland Community Center. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Golden State Warriors and Chase bank hosted the third annual Alley-Oop Accelerator this month, an empowering eight-week program designed to help Bay Area entrepreneurs bring their visions for business to life.

The initiative kicked off on Feb. 12 at Chase’s Oakland Community Center on Broadway Street, welcoming 15 small business owners who joined a growing network of local innovators working to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

At its core, the accelerator is designed to create an ecosystem of collaboration, where local entrepreneurs can learn from one another while accessing the resources of a global financial institution.

“This is our third year in a row working with the Golden State Warriors on the Alley-Oop Accelerator,” said Jaime Garcia, executive director of Chase’s Coaching for Impact team for the West Division. “We’ve already had 20-plus businesses graduate from the program, and we have 15 enrolled this year. The biggest thing about the program is really the community that’s built amongst the business owners — plus the exposure they’re able to get through Chase and the Golden State Warriors.”

According to Garcia, several graduates have gone on to receive vendor contracts with the Warriors and have gained broader recognition through collaborations with JPMorgan Chase.

“A lot of what Chase is trying to do,” Garcia added, “is bring businesses together because what they’ve asked for is an ecosystem, a network where they can connect, grow, and thrive organically.”

This year’s Alley-Oop Accelerator reflects that vision through its comprehensive curriculum and emphasis on practical learning. Participants explore the full spectrum of business essentials including financial management, marketing strategy, and legal compliance, while also preparing for real-world experiences such as pop-up market events.

Each entrepreneur benefits from one-on-one mentoring sessions through Chase’s Coaching for Impact program, which provides complimentary, personalized business consulting.

Garcia described the impact this hands-on approach has had on local small business owners. He recalled one candlemaker, who, after participating in the program, was invited to provide candles as gifts at Chase events.

“We were able to help give that business exposure,” he explained. “But then our team also worked with them on how to access capital to buy inventory and manage operations once those orders started coming in. It’s about preparation. When a hiccup happens, are you ready to handle it?”

The Coaching for Impact initiative, which launched in 2020 in just four cities, has since expanded to 46 nationwide.

“Every business is different,” Garcia said. “That’s why personal coaching matters so much. It’s life-changing.”

Participants in the 2026 program will each receive a $2,500 stipend, funding that Garcia said can make an outsized difference. “It’s amazing what some people can do with just $2,500,” he noted. “It sounds small, but it goes a long way when you have a plan for how to use it.”

For Chase and the Warriors, the Alley-Oop Accelerator represents more than an educational initiative, it’s a pathway to empowerment and economic inclusion. The program continues to foster lasting relationships among the entrepreneurs who, as Garcia put it, “build each other up” through shared growth and opportunity.

“Starting a business is never easy, but with the right support, it becomes possible, and even exhilarating,” said Oscar Lopez, the senior business consultant for Chase in Oakland.