FALL. 2020
MOST IN-PERSON EVENTS OR SERVICES ARE CANCELED BUT MOST ARE AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY. CHECK OUR CALENDAR INSIDE OR CALL US WITH ANY NEED.
Fremont Cares Rent Relief Program Helping Families Manage Through Crisis Life changed for many on March 17, 2020 as the Shelter-in-Place Order was issued to prevent the spread of COVID-19. For some residents, jobs were lost, income sources disappeared, and many suddenly found themselves with no money to pay rent or bills. On May 18, 2020, the City of Fremont launched the Fremont Cares Rent Relief Program totaling $400,000 made possible through federal stimulus Community Development Block Grant CARES funds. Applicants awarded rental assistance all had incomes under 80% of the Area Median Income, and families with the lowest incomes and the highest rent burden were prioritized for funding. Also prioritized were single parents with minor children and those with special circumstances such as being ill with COVID-19. Families could receive up to three months of back rent. In total, we were able to assist 95 families who were unable to pay their rent due to a COVID–19 related job or income loss with an average grant of $4,210. Many applicant families asked for and received additional assistance with connecting to job training, employment services, food assistance, financial coaching, taxes and more. Eleven families also received help paying utility bills. Families sent messages of gratitude to FRC staff. Alex Abercrombie wrote: “I have been humbled by this situation and I have new appreciation for the word appreciate. I feel like I am above water again. We are both so grateful to all of you there fighting and working so very hard for all of us in Fremont. From my heart and my family, I deeply thank you. I still get moved to tears when I talk about what you have done for us… and are still doing for Fremont.”
IN THIS ISSUE • Rent Relief • Parent Support • Financial Tips • Calendar/Services • Virtual Welcome Center Services
Tips for Surviving Financial Hardship During COVID-19
We asked SparkPoint Fremont Financial Coach Arnie Becker to write an article for those facing financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic and Shelter-in-Place Order. Below are his thoughts on key items to assess and actionable steps people can take to help their financial situation. that can help you survive this financial crisis.
1. Create a budget with two columns. On one side, list all household income. On the other side, list your monthly expenses starting with mandatory ones like rent, food, utilities, car payment, gas, cable, internet access, medical bills, minimum credit card payments and insurance for car, health, and household. Total your expense and income columns. Now you’ll know how much you can spend on optional spending or how much you need to cut your spending to stay solvent. 2. If you lost your job and do not have another source of income, immediately cut back on expenses, utilize rainy day savings, look for a job, and call SparkPoint Fremont to see if you qualify for any benefit programs
3. Look at each expense to see if you can reduce it. For example, can you reduce your cable or cell phone bill by reducing services? Instead of shopping at premium grocery stores, can you shop at discounted grocery stores? Instead of brand names, can you buy generic? How about using coupons? If you are driving less, call your insurance company to ask about a reduction in your premium. Many will reduce your rate by 10% or more. Shop for new vehicle insurance and/or review your coverage to see if you are paying for unneeded coverage. 4. If you have significant credit card debt but have been paying at least the minimum payments, shop for a card that has 0% interest and switch your more expensive card(s) to the new card. 5. If your income is low and you think you might qualify for Medi-Cal or the Low Income Subsidy for Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, call SparkPoint Fremont for help applying to one of these benefits. It might save you considerable money and may
even provide dental care for your family. 6. If you are 62 or older, consider applying for social security benefits now and not waiting until you are 65 or 70. Your social security payment will be reduced from what it would have been had you waited, but it may save you from being evicted or losing your health insurance for lack of payment. 7. Contact PG&E to see if you qualify for the LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) or REACH (Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help) programs at 1.800.933.9677. 8. Check with your bank to see if you’re paying a monthly charge because your balance fell below the minimum requirement or you write too many checks. If so, ask if they have an account with no fees and inquire about the requirements. 9. If you’ve been contacted by debt collectors, call SparkPoint Fremont to schedule an appointment to help you get out of debt.
SparkPoint is an initiative of United Way Bay Area which helps low-to-moderate income families achieve longterm financial stability. The City of Fremont, Human Services Department, FRC Division is the lead organization coordinating services with several SparkPoint partners. Clients work with a financial coach to develop a financial plan. To access SparkPoint Fremont services, register for the virtual October 15 Info Session from 6—7pm by calling 510.574.2020.
Meet our SparkPoint Fremont Coaches Arnie Becker PG2
FALL 2020
Camille Soohoo
Freddy Molina
Parenting During COVID-19 A free weekly virtual support group is now being offered by City of Fremont, Human Services Department’s Youth and Family Services (YFS) Division, for parents and caregivers of youth in a peer support format, so that parents have a safe and confidential way to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted them, their children and families. Groups provide stress relief for parents and caregivers, explore strategies for self-care, limit setting and managing challenging child and youth behaviors, as well as ways to improve communication between family members. Groups are offered twice a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and are facilitated by professional counselors. Parents and caregivers of children can reserve a spot or get more information by visiting the City of Fremont YFS website or calling 510.574.2100.
Compassion Network’s Fall Programs CityServe’s Compassion Network has a very busy autumn schedule. With the return of school, the agency held three backpack/school supply drives and distributed almost 500 backpacks to Tri-City students in need. BOOST! HOMEWORK HELP is back! Students in grades 1-5 can receive homework assistance one hour per week from high school and adult tutors via Zoom. Interested parents can call 510.796.7378 to set up an appointment to register their child(ren). Registration is also open for the annual Hearty Harvest Thanksgiving food distribution. With all the challenges of the pandemic, this year’s distribution will occur at several locations to meet social distancing requirements. To register, call 510.796.7378. After Thanksgiving, Compassion Network will ramp up for its annual Tree of Hope Christmas gift distribution for children in December. Watch for more information closer to the holidays. Located at the Fremont FRC, CityServe’s Compassion Network is a faith-based non-profit seeking to match volunteers from their network of churches with the most urgent needs in the Tri-City area.
FRC In Photos
Thank you United Way Bay Area and Bank of America for COVID-19 testing at the FRC donating pandemic supplies to SparkPoint Fremont! from Asian Health Services
Thank you Asian Health Services and staff!
FALL 2020
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FRC CALENDAR | OCT—DEC 2020 Live Activities FRC Giveaway for Tri-City Families in Need Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday from 10.30—11.30am. Twice-monthly walk-in giveaway of groceries, PPE and diapers for 100 Tri-City families in need. No registration required. Held in the FRC parking lot between the two buildings. Masks and social distancing are required. Questions? Call the FRC at 510.574.2000. Click here for flyer.
Virtual Events and Services Credit 101 Virtual Class Wednesday, October 7 from 6.30—7.00pm. Learn the basics of credit: how to obtain your credit report, fix credit report errors, avoid identify fraud and survive the challenges caused by COVID-19. To register, call Jane at SparkPoint Fremont 510.574.2026. FOOD — Money for Groceries Are you laid off or low income and need money for groceries? We’ll help you apply to CalFresh benefits. Click here for flyer. To schedule a phone appointment, call the FRC at 510.574.2000. LEGAL — Civil Legal Clinic at FRC Advice on civil legal issues such as housing, health care, government benefits, youth justice and domestic violence with family law issues from Bay Area Legal Aid. To request a phone appointment, residents must complete an application form which you can obtain from SparkPoint Fremont. Call Jane at 510.574.2026. LEGAL — Consumer Rights Clinic at FRC Are you being harassed or sued by creditors? Need info on bankruptcy, foreclosure or wage garnishment? Get info before your court date. Due to COVID-19, Bay Area Legal Aid canceled all in-person clinics; however, they are offering a limited number of phone or online appointments on Thursdays. To schedule a virtual appointment, please call their Legal Advice Line at 800.551.5554. LEGAL — Family Law Clinic at FRC from Legal Access Alameda provides free legal advice on divorce, custody, visitation or support issues. Due to COVID-19, Legal Access Alameda (formerly ACBA VLSC) canceled all in-person clinics; however, they are offering limited virtual free services by phone. Call the ACBA intake line for assistance at 510.302.2222 option #4. SparkPoint Fremont Virtual Info Session 3rd Thursday from 6—7pm. Learn about SparkPoint’s financial services for low-to-moderate income people who want to improve their finances. Afterward, schedule a virtual meeting with a Financial Coach to work on your needs and goals. For more information, visit www.fremont.gov/SparkPointFRC. To register, call Jane at SparkPoint Fremont 510.574.2026. Tri-City Workforce Training Guide Check out SparkPoint Fremont’s website listing local free and low-cost, short-term training programs. Increase your skills for a promotion or new career. Improve your English, get a GED, a certificate and more. Includes adult schools, live and online community college certificate programs, apprenticeships, CSU East Bay and more. Shelter-in-place is a great time to utilize virtual training programs. www.fremont.gov/workforcetraining
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FALL 2020
FRC CALENDAR | OCT—DEC 2020 Virtual Support Groups EBAC — Circle of Care Program Virtual support group and parenting education for grieving families. For questions or to register, email EBAC. FERC — African American Family Support Group 4th Tuesday 5.30—7.30pm. For families/caregivers of those who have loved ones with mental health challenges in Alameda County. For questions, email Bettye@mhaac.org or call 510.746.1700 and leave a message. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 875 4617 7855, Passcode: 253742, Dial: 1.669.900.9128 FERC — Borderline Personality Disorder — Family Support Group 1st Wednesday, 5—6.30pm. For families/caregivers of those who have loved ones with mental health challenges in Alameda County. For questions, email bettye@mhaac.org or call 510.746.1700 and leave a message. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 848 7574 9614, Passcode: 950885, Dial: +1.669.900.9128 FERC — Family Members/Caregiver Support Group 1st Thursday 5—6.30pm. For families/caregivers of those who have loved ones with mental health challenges in Alameda County. For questions, email bettye@mhaac.org or call 510.746.1700 and leave a message. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 822 4692 6453, Password: 503883, Dial: 1-669-900-9128 FERC — Family Members/Caregiver Support Group 2nd Tuesday 4—5.30pm. For families/caregivers of those who have loved ones with mental health challenges in Alameda County. Open to caregivers across the county. For questions: contact michele@mhaac.org or 510.746.1700 and leave a message. Current Meetings on Google Meets (Google Hangout). Meeting ID By phone: 1.401.594.3156, Pin#: 610 018 380 FERC — Spanish Speaking Family Members/Caregiver Support 2nd and 4th Wednesday 5.30—7.00pm. For families/caregivers of those who have loved ones with mental health challenges in Alameda County. Open to caregivers across the county. For questions, email juanita@mhaac.org or call 510.746.1700 and leave a message. Current Meetings on Zoom. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 840-8086-9393, Password: 821128, Dial: 1.669.900.9128 Herald Family Rebuilding Center — Mandarin Support Group for Men and Women Tuesdays 10/13, 11/17 & 12/15 from 7—9pm. For questions, call 510.790.3366. Register here. YFS — Virtual Support Group for Parents and Caregivers of Youth Drop-in on Tuesdays 12.30—2pm or Wednesdays 6—7.30pm. Explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted them, their children and families. Explore strategies for self-care, challenging child/youth behaviors, and ways to improve communication. For more info or to register, visit YFS Caregiver Support or call 510.574.2100.
Phone support is not available during closures
Nov 11 Nov 26—27 Dec 24 Dec 25
FRC is closed FRC is closed Some agencies are closed FRC is closed
FALL 2020
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BENEFIT PROGRAMS AND ASSISTANCE Alameda County Social Services
C330
510.795.2428
FRC Welcome Center/ Fremont Healthy Start
ABCD Lobby
510.574.2141
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
D430
510.795.2457
Hively D450
510.270.8807 925.417.8733
Community Child Care Council (4C’s of Alameda County)
510.713.2557
D410
Discovery Cove H850 510.574.2010 Childcare Center (Currently Closed)
CULTURAL AND FAITH BASED SERVICES D460
510.745.1680
CityServe’s H840 510.796.SERV Compassion Network (7378) Herald Family Rebuilding Center
While FRC agencies are working remotely, we’re publishing the best phone number(s) to reach them. The list is posted on the FRC website at: www.fremont.gov/FRC
FAMILY SUPPORT/FINANCIAL COACHING FRC Welcome Center/ Fremont Healthy Start
CHILDCARE
Afghan Coalition
REACHING AGENCIES DURING COVID–19
D450
510.790.3366
EMPLOYMENT/TRAINING
ABCD Lobby
510.574.2141
Family Support Services A110
510.574.2021
Lincoln Families Kinship D450 Support Program
510.583.8026
SparkPoint Fremont Financial Services
A110
510.574.2020
D440
510.574.2270
HOUSING ISSUES Fremont Fair Housing and Landlord/Tenant Services
MENTAL HEALTH/COUNSELING Family Education and D400 Resource Center (FERC)
510.790.1010
FRC Working Wellness A110 Team – for CalWORKS participants
510.574.2023
Fremont Youth and Family Services (YFS)
E500
510.574.2100
Alameda County Behavioral Health Vocational Services
D470
510.795.2300
America’s Job Center/ EDD
B200
510.794.3669
Tri-City Children and Youth Services
G710
510.795.2434
La Familia Counseling Vocational ESL
F600
510.329.3739
Tri-City Community Support Center
G710
510.795.2434
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SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Community Resources for Independent Living (CRIL)
A100
510.794.5735
Deaf, Counseling, D420 510.790.1433 Advocacy and Referral (TTY and VP) Agency (DCARA) 510.371.0042 (Voice) State Department of F630 510.794.2458 Rehabilitation
KEY TO LOCATING FRC SUITES There are 2 buildings at the FRC. Building ABCD is on the right and houses suites beginning with A, B, C or D; and Building EFGH houses suites beginning with E, F, G and H.
Tri-City Community Support Services, Adult and Children Mediterranean Room H810 Tri-City Community Support Services, Adult and Children G710
G700
510.713.2557
D410
Discovery Cove H850 510.574.2010 Childcare Center (Currently Closed) Lincoln Families Kinship D450 Support Program
510.583.8026
Tri-City Children and Youth Services
G710
510.795.2434
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
D430
510.795.2457
Fremont Youth and Family Services (YFS)
E500
510.574.2100
Family Resource Center Administration, Family Support Services, Family Service Team and SparkPoint A110
Discovery Cove H850
4 Enter
Youth and Family Services E500
La Familia Counseling Services/VESL F600
Community Child Care Council (4C’s of Alameda County)
Enter
5
510.270.8807 925.417.8733
Caribbean Room H830
Enter
Enter
6
Hively D450
Millennium Room Nova Room A130 A120
CityServe H840 Pacific Room H800
YOUTH SERVICES
BHCS Vocational Program D470
3 2
1
Afghan Coalition D460
Department of Rehabilitation F630 Enter
Enter
FALL 2020
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FRC Despite the COVID Shelterin-Place Order, staff at EBAC’s Fremont Healthy Start (FHS) program continue to work with Tri-City families by phone, email, and video platforms, connecting them to critical supports as the pandemic has exacerbated their needs. This is the team that staff the FRC Welcome Center.
CENTER ASSISTANCE
Our bilingual Resource Specialists help visitors with information, referrals and public benefit applications. While the FRC is closed, you can call the Resource Specialists directly for assistance.
ENGLISH
CALL ANY NUMBER
DARI, PASTU
DARI, FARSI
510.410.3421 510.410.4272
KOREAN
510.414.2700
MANDARIN, CANTONESE 510.410.3425 PUNJABI, HINDI, URDU
510.491.6699
SPANISH
510.410.3432
510.410.8392
FHS staff support families with EBT cards, rental assistance, eviction moratoriums, follow up on stimulus checks, housing applications, access to Wi-Fi and laptops for school, reducing PG&E bills, translation for letters, three-way calls with County case workers, food, clothing, and updating status and enrollment in Medi-Cal and CalFresh. The Welcome Center staff is bilingual and offer help in 11 languages: Spanish, Farsi, Dari, Hindi, Punjabi, Korean, Urdu, Pashtu, Mandarin, Cantonese and English. To request assistance in one of these languages, call the corresponding phone number in the Welcome Center chart to the right.
Are you struggling to buy groceries? You might qualify for CalFresh which provides money to purchase food. If you live in Tri-City and need help applying, call the FRC at 510.574.2000 and we’ll help you. Other ways to apply: Call 1.877.847.FOOD if you live elsewhere in CA Click to apply at www.getcalfresh.org or www.calfresh.dss.ca.gov/food
Fremont Family Resource Center
ACCESS provides information, screening and referrals for Alameda County residents who need mental health and/or drug and alcohol treatment. ACCESS is answered by County licensed mental health clinicians Monday–Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm. After hours calls are returned by Alameda County Crisis Support Services. The telephone menu is in six languages: English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Cambodian. ACCESS uses a telephone interpretation service for additional languages and California Relay for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. An Alameda County Behavioral Health program.
510.574.2000 www.fremont.gov/frc /FremontFRC /FremontCares frc@fremont.gov Fremont Family Resource Center 39155 Liberty Street | Fremont | CA 94538
The City of Fremont does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you need an accommodation, please contact the Human Services Department at 510.574.2050