“1000 Blankets” Distributed to West Oakland’s Unhoused by EBALDC’s West Oakland Resident Leadership Council

This past Saturday, December 3rd, saw our dedicated EBALDC volunteers, staffers, executive team and board members come out to support the West Oakland Resident Leadership Council’s (RLC) neighborhood holiday giving event, “1000 Blankets.” 25 individuals showed up at EBALDC’s California Hotel on a cold and rainy day to assemble kits that included mylar blankets, socks, and hygiene products, and then distribute them to encampments of unhoused Oaklanders living on the streets of West Oakland.

_{Agnes Ubalde, EBALDC Board Member, addresses volunteers at the “1000 Blankets” giveaway prep}

“The ‘1000 Blankets’ giveaway came together after we sent out a team to encampments on the streets of West Oakland where we found over 500 of unhoused residents – individuals and families — living in unfathomable conditions in nearly 50 encampments,” said Marjorie Goolsby, a West Oakland RLC member and resident of Jack London Gateway. “With the wet and cold weather now here, survival out on the streets just got that much harder. We hope that at least some sense of comfort was brought to those living amongst us who are unable to access proper housing.” 

_{One of the nearly 50 encampments in West Oakland}

“When we saw the need first-hand, we were even more determined to help out in any way possible,” said Kokavulu Lumukanda, West Oakland RLC member and resident of the California Hotel. “Our EBALDC Resident Services team, including Monique Kennedy, Philandrew Miller, and Nakia Lipsey, was fantastic at helping with the logistics and helping us secure donations of mylar blankets and socks. And our EBALDC Community Organizer, Matt Matusiewicz, rallied a bunch of volunteers to give up their Saturday plans and brave the elements on behalf of fellow humans in need.” 

_{Cristina Bowerssears, EBALDC Property Manager, and her children assemble donation kits}

Cristina Bowerssears, Property Manager of EBALDC’s Giant Roads Apartments in San Pablo, thought it would be an important experience for her children to help out with the blanket distribution. “Out there in the rain, my three children and I interacted with several unhoused individuals who are terribly impacted by their homelessness. We met an artist who created some of the powerful pieces near West Oakland BART. She spoke to my children about the importance of education, never quitting, and staying motivated. I will forever keep her in my heart and mind.” 

_{Messages of hope and resilience created by unhoused artist that inspired Cristina Bowerssears and her children}

Talking about the volunteers who showed up to help on Saturday, Cristina continued, “There was a lot of power in that room on Saturday … a lot of different cultures, diversity, experiences, and knowledge with one common goal: to support and embrace others. I’m even more committed to supporting the movement to eradicate homelessness and supporting unhoused individuals through leasing, education, stabilizing housing, and providing supportive service to this often-overlooked community.” 

EBALDC Board Member Agnes Ubalde participated with her husband and three children. “Even though the weather was raw, I wanted my family to take part in this event,” she said. “My youngest was concerned about whether we would be able to keep warm and dry out in the elements. I said, ‘these are our neighbors and they are living in conditions that we have never encountered, and they need our help.’ I am so proud of them for the compassion they showed, but also proud of the important housing work that EBALDC is doing to eradicate homelessness to the best of our ability.”  

_{Agnes Ubalde, EBALDC Board Member, and her family assemble care packages}

In total, 1000 blankets along with socks and hygiene items were distributed to the unhoused on the streets of West Oakland by 25 volunteers. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, and hand sanitizers were donated by Crocket Scout Troop. The daughter of EBALDC’S Vice President of Human Relations, Kathleen Higginbotham, organized her Troop to make the donation as part of their holiday project. Kathleen said, “It takes a village to make meaningful change, and I’m looking forward to more opportunities to tackle more community issues together.” Socks were donated by Free Brown of Sankofa Gardens, an EBALDC neighborhood partner who creates and maintains the resident garden at the California Hotel.

Commented EBALDC CEO Andy Madeira, “This is our Healthy Neighborhoods model at work. Our residents, through the West Oakland RLC made this happen. They saw a need in their community and organized the event. It was an honor for EBALDC leadership and staff to take their direction in the distribution of much needed essentials to our unhoused neighbors. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with our Resident Leaders, partners, and community members to develop innovative and comprehensive approaches to addressing the housing crisis and building Healthy Neighborhoods throughout Oakland and the East Bay for all.” 

About the West Oakland Resident Leadership Council  

The West Oakland Resident Leadership Council (RLC) is comprised of resident leaders from EBALDC properties in West Oakland and Emeryville, including: Avalon Senior Housing, California Hotel, Slim Jenkins, Jack London Gateway, and San Pablo Hotel. One of three RLCs sponsored by EBALDC, the West Oakland RLC provides place-based, community engagement opportunities, and recently organized a get-out-the-vote training session. At the Slim Jenkins property across the West Oakland BART, it sponsored a community mural project with the theme of the Black Panther Party that focused on Point #10 of their Ten Point Program — ‘We Want Land, Bread, Housing, Education, Clothing, Justice and Peace.’ The West Oakland RLC has also arranged anti-racist healing justice circles and a six-session leadership training program, as well as developing by-laws for all three neighborhood groups.