The power of partnership to transform our communities

February 2021

45 Stories for 45 Years

Contributor: Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf

In 1999, one of my first assignments as an aid to former Oakland City Councilmember Ignacio De La Fuente was to help the families at the Oak Park Apartments. 

Residents of the building in East Oakland were suffering from horrific living conditions. There were broken windows, backed up toilets that regularly soaked families’ carpets with raw sewage and used needles left where children could pick them up. All in all, the landlord was served with 43 code violations. The courageous refugees that lived at Oak Park were constantly threatened with deportation and eviction if they dared complain. 

Working closely with the families at Oak Park, I saw the power of local government and community partnerships to deliver justice. I saw fire inspectors, police officers, city attorneys and building inspectors work in deep partnership with community advocates and faith-based leaders. Eventually, this unusual but fiercely dedicated team reached out to East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation for their support in helping the community achieve their vision for the apartment building that was so vital to the Asian and Pacific Islander community in Oakland. 

In EBALDC, we found a close partner and experienced team member ready to do whatever they could to support Oak Park residents’ priorities. We didn’t stop until we had transformed Oak Park into a safe and healthy sanctuary with community gardens and a day care co-op. EBALDC also bought the building, and owns and operates it today as a nonprofit.

I am grateful to EBALDC for their leadership and partnership over so many years in Oakland. I thought a lot about our work at Oak Park in 2020 as we were faced with so many, and such severe, threats and hardships. Oak Park reminds me of the resilience of our communities, and what is possible when we apply persistence and compassion, and employ meaningful partnerships, to tackle our toughest challenges. 

 

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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