OAKLAND — Newly appointed Oakland Police Chief James Beere joined faith leaders, nonprofit representatives and community advocates on July 22 for a wide-ranging discussion on public safety, affordable housing, homelessness and civic engagement.
Hosted by the Interfaith Council of Alameda County (ICAC), the meeting brought together clergy, businesses and residents to identify practical resources, strengthen community partnerships and coordinate action on issues affecting Oakland and surrounding Alameda County communities. Participants also discussed opposition to a proposed coal terminal in West Oakland.
Beere, the meeting’s keynote speaker, discussed strategies for collaborating on public safety, community policing, Oakland’s Ceasefire program and ICAC’s overnight safe-parking sites for unhoused people living in vehicles in East and West Oakland.
Dr. Jim Hopkins, pastor emeritus of Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church, offered a prayer for Beere following his remarks.
The conversation then turned to affordable housing. Evita Chavez, a senior program officer with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, discussed resources available to affordable housing developers and advocates, including predevelopment assistance, development coaching and partnership opportunities.
Representatives of No Coal in Oakland — Ann Harvey, Margaret Rossoff and Ted Franklin — joined Care 4 Community lead organizer Nicole Dean to discuss the proposed development of a coal terminal in West Oakland near the Bay Bridge.
The advocates said transporting thousands of tons of coal from Utah through Contra Costa and Alameda counties to Oakland for overseas shipment would increase daily traffic and pollution in West Oakland, a historically underserved community with high rates of asthma and other health problems.
Meeting participants also viewed the Oakland FAITH art gallery, which features photography and maps documenting 450 clergy members and congregations across the city. The project was created by photographer Nicolo Sertorio.
During the meeting, ICAC founding president Dr. Ken Chambers also raised concerns about funding for the organization’s safe-parking programs. Chambers said ICAC has not yet received a $450,000 grant approved by the Oakland City Council on Dec. 19, 2023, to support overnight parking sites for individuals and families living in their vehicles.
West Side Baptist Church and Williams Chapel Baptist Church have served more than 1,000 clients through the program since it opened in 2017, according to Chambers.
Chambers said he is working with Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee and the interim city administrator to secure the grant funding. He said the money would allow the program to accommodate up to 50 clients each night and provide a safe environment, wraparound services, minor automobile repairs, smog checks, Department of Motor Vehicles registration assistance, insurance support, job development and help securing permanent affordable housing.
Joe Davis, an ICAC client, described how the program helped him transition from living in his vehicle to temporary housing and employment.
“If it hadn’t been for a safe place to park overnight, and now I’ve moved into a tiny home temporary shelter, I started a new job working at the post office, walking distance from the program. I’m so thankful,” Davis said.
ICAC’s next community meeting is scheduled for Sept. 10 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Oakland FAITH Gallery, 1500 Broadway in downtown Oakland. The meeting will focus on job development at the Port of Oakland.
For more information or to donate, visit interfaithac.org or call Chambers at 510-239-6969.
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