Bringing place-based, early learning expertise to East Oakland

February 2021

East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation

45 Stories for 45 Years

Contributor: Maria Hassel, Director of Community Services, BANANAS 

Title: Bringing place-based, early learning expertise to East Oakland

At BANANAS, our team has a lot of experience in getting families and young kids the supports and resources they need to be confident and happy. What we do not have is a lot of experience working in a place-based way. So, when EBALDC approached us to serve as a partner at their Cub House at Lion Creek Crossings development in Havenscourt, we were excited for the opportunity. 

In working with the partners they had previously convened for the Healthy Havenscourt Collaborative that serves the community in East Oakland, EBALDC had identified a critical need for birth to five learning programs. EBALDC and Healthy Havenscourt leadership communicated clearly to us that early learning was not their area of expertise — nor was it represented by other members of the partnership. So in November 2019, we launched the BANANAS Playgroup at the Cub House and installed some of our staff members onsite to manage the program. 

We never could have anticipated how successful the program was right from the start. Through the playgroup, we have been able to work with parents to understand the importance of school and kindergarten, and the importance of consistent school attendance. We have connected program participants with free diapers, and with SparkPoint Oakland financial services and language support resources. When the pandemic hit, we were able to provide tablets to ensure our families could still access our now-online program. And we have connected with families who have been evicted to provide them with gift cards for food and other necessities. 

I truly believe it is because of the relationship our staff has developed with the EBALDC team that we have been so successful collectively. Because of the spirit of EBALDC staff, we have been able to enhance our services and reach more deeply into the community in ways we could not have planned. 

As EBALDC marks our 45th anniversary, we will be gathering more stories like this one from our friends, family, community members, partners and more stakeholders that have made our impact possible. We would be honored for you to join us:

  • Follow us on social media: @EBALDC

 

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