For this Monday Meals discussion we covered the latest updates on the state of the California and Alameda County budget and how this affects our local access to essential community resources.
“There’s multiple budgets happening right now – the State budget, the City of Oakland, and the Alameda County. On top of those three budgets, there is a pot of money called Measure W. In 2020, Alameda County voters voted overwhelmingly to fund a tax to solve the homelessness crisis […] for increased housing stock and housing services. Over the last five years, we have accrued about 400 million dollars. We’re saying, “hey, we want this funding to be spent on the things voters said they wanted to spend it on.” We have to defend this is because there are a number of County Supervisors trying to go against the will of the voters – trying to spend the funds on police, etc.. This says a lot about how our County thinks about democracy. We’re trying to protect these funds for what they are.” -Tash Nguyen, Restore Oakland, Inc.
Please welcome our guest speakers: Tash Nguyen, Restore Oakland and John Jones III, Urban Strategies Council: Tash was born in the Bay Area as a child of refugees, and brings their lived experience to her abolitionist organizing work as queer person who was funneled through the school to prison pipeline. They proudly serve as the Executive Director for Restore Oakland Inc. and Co-founder of the Care First Community Coalition.
John Jones III is on staff with Urban Strategies Council where he serves as the Director of Programs. As a formerly incarcerated single father and third generation East Oakland resident, John seeks to transform his community by utilizing his experiences and expertise as a Consultant, Life Coach and Subject Matter Expert. After being un-sheltered and unemployed, John utilizes those experiences for advocacy, community organizing, and empowerment. As a result, John has been recognized for his efforts on the local, regional, and statewide levels by serving on several Boards, Commissions, and Task Forces.