Covid Response Efforts

“Oakland Leaf has provided so much help not only with education but also emotionally. Staff have been so supportive in so many ways. They helped so many times when me and my family didn’t have enough food to survive during the COVID-19 crisis.”

— Karen, parent of a 3rd grader

“Things have been tough. I feel really overwhelmed and anxious. It’s been so nice when I hear from Oakland Leaf. They care about my daughter, and they also really care about me.”

Maria, parent of a 3rd grader

Oakland Leaf’s COVID-19 Response Efforts

East Oakland was one of the Bay Area communities hardest hit by the pandemic. The high rates of COVID infection and prolonged social disconnection over the past year and a half were compounded by the intensification of the health, employment, housing, food security, and other struggles that our communities have always known.

In response to the heightened need and many new challenges experienced by our students and families

over the last year and a half, Oakland leaf increased our emphasis on social and emotional wellness across all our programs, and expanded existing and developed new family support initiatives, including:

Weekly one-on-one and group wellness check-ins and self-care support for students and families, facilitated by Restorative Justice practitioners trained in trauma-informed care.

Daily online tech support for students/families struggling with new technology and platforms.

Weekly home deliveries of organic produce from our gardens, along with the thousands of pounds of

food and bread donated weekly by local business partners.

Distribution of classroom and art supplies, including paper, pencils, crayons, scissors, markers, watercolors, glue sticks, books, fidget toys, and soccer balls to ensure that all youth could fully participate in program activities from home.

Distribution of home garden kits (pots, starters, seeds, and compost) and ongoing guidance, to support youth interns to grow vegetables, herbs, and medicinal plants for their families.

Stocking and maintenance of a Basic Needs Center that provided families in need with consistent access to hygiene and cleaning supplies, dry goods, and other living essentials.

Expansion of our annual Holiday Family Support Initiative that includes distribution of food, toys, winter coats, and other warm clothes.