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Celebrating Affordable Housing Month
Being a good neighbor expresses love for our families, friends, and the communities and neighborhoods we call home. And when our neighbors are doing well, we all do well. This Affordable Housing Month, we invite you to join us in imagining a community where everyone is looked out for and ensuring everyone has a stable, affordable place to call home.
If you or someone you know is seeking more information on Affordable Housing in Alameda County, please call 211 or visit achousingchoices.org and housing.acgov.org.
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Recognizing Older Americans Month
Established in 1963, Older Americans Month (OAM) is celebrated every May. Led by the Administration for Community Living, OAM is a time for us to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of older Americans, highlight important trends, and strengthen our commitment to honoring our more senior citizens.
This year’s theme, Aging Unbound, offers an opportunity to explore a wide range of aging experiences and promote the importance of enjoying independence and fulfillment by paving our own paths as we age.
211 has many resources available for seniors who may need help. Call or text 211 for support. You can also visit our resource finder online at 211AlamedaCounty.org.
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CA vs. Hate Launch
Californians who experience a hate crime or hate incident can now anonymously report it to the state's Civil Rights Department through a new hotline. Established to report non-emergencies, the CA vs. Hate hotline and the online portal can be used by anyone who has personally experienced or witnessed a hate crime or incident.
The hotline is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 833-866-4283 or 833-8-NO-HATE. Callers can speak with a trained civil rights professional in more than 200 languages. Outside of the available hours, individuals can call 211 or leave a voicemail to report an incident. Online reports can be made at any time of day in 15 languages.
Eden I&R / 211 Alameda County's Executive Director, Alison DeJung, was proud to represent the agency at the state Capitol for the official launch of the new hotline. She was moved to hear the following statement throughout the day, "California is for everyone! We are better because of our diversity, not in spite of it."
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Resources for Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Over the past few years, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been more understanding of how mental health impacts everyone's lives, from isolation to stress and depression.
211 Alameda County offers support for the mental wellness of our community by providing information, referrals, and resources focused on mental health for callers seeking help. Call or text 211 if you or someone you know needs free, confidential, nonjudgmental information or someone to talk to.
The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (the three-digit phone number 988) is also available for free support.
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Prepare for Public Safety Power Shutoffs
The 211 California Network is partnered with Pacific Gas and Electric and Southern California Edison to provide emergency preparedness support for customers during Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). 211 Alameda County connects customers to local community-based organizations that assist with transportation and shelter needs, portable backup power, home meal delivery, food replacement, bill assistance programs, and support for those with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.
Our 211 Care Coordinator is making appointments to help you and your loved ones prepare for PSPS events. Call 211 today to get a FREE plan and connect with local resources.
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Job Openings
Bilingual Community Resource Specialist (CRS): We are seeking a bilingual English and Spanish speaker to address clients' concerns over the phone and through text. Apply here.
Senior Accountant: The Senior Accountant will be responsible for overseeing the contracts and grants invoicing, accounts payable, reconciliations, and financial statements. This position reports to the Director of Finance and Administration and supervises the Bookkeeper. Apply here.
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Welcome Suzie Genevieve to our Board of Directors!
As a Program Manager, Suzie specializes in creating structure out of chaos and building strong relationships that support the success of an organization. She excels at developing and implementing effective programs, utilizing her organization, communication, and strategic planning skills to achieve goals and drive results.
Suzie is a fourth-generation native of California who is passionate about traveling and has had the privilege of exploring many parts of the world: Ireland, Poland, Thailand, and recently Australia, to name a few. She is committed to doing her part in reducing waste by repurposing items to keep them out of landfills, which also fulfills her creative side. Her compassionate and caring nature drives Suzie to help others by giving back to her community whenever she can.
In her spare time, Suzie enjoys working on projects, spending time with her family, and walking her dog, Whiskey. Exploring the world and its people will always be her first choice.
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Join Our Board
Eden I&R is seeking new members for its Board of Directors! Women, minorities, people with disabilities, veterans, people impacted by the justice system, and other candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to reach out about this opportunity. You can read more about the role here.
If you are interested in board service, please contact Eden I&R’s Executive Director, Alison DeJung, at adejung@edenir.org.
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It's been a busy few weeks for Team Eden I&R/211 Alameda County! We have attended several community events to hand out information about our resources.
Most recently, we had a table at Oakland's Mayor's Commission on Aging and Aging and Adult Services' annual Older Americans Month event and the FamFest SpringFest hosted by the Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce.
To have our Outreach Team attend your next community event, please get in touch with Bridget at bschultz@edenir.org.
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Our Housing Team was also thrilled to attend the East Bay Housing Organizations Affordable Housing Month Kickoff Celebration earlier this month. This annual celebration is one of their biggest events and a chance to celebrate this year’s Housing Hero Honorees Mike Rawson, Cathy Eberhardt, and the Raise the Roof Coalition. Check out some of the highlights from the event below! | |
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A young man two months behind in rent called 211 to ask for help. He confided he was experiencing depression from the stress. He agreed to sign a payment plan with his landlord out of fear of becoming unhoused. During the call, he also noted that his place was uninhabitable because of a severe mold problem that his landlord needed to address. 211 staff advised him to continue to document his situation.
To help ease his anxiety and depression, staff referred him to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, and A Better Way, Inc. Staff also provided the Crisis Support Services’ 988 24-Hour Suicide and Crisis Line. Finally, staff referred him to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for rent assistance and to Tenants Together and Eden Council for Hope and Opportunity to help him understand his tenant rights.
Read more 211 call examples.
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211 By the Numbers - April 2023 | |
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211 Alameda County:
4,711 conversations handled
8,803 referrals provided
Additional April & Year-To-Date 211 stats
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Demographics:
74% female
26% single mothers with minor children
55% living with disabilities
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Average Call Length:
7:40 minutes
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Average Wait Time:
1:30 minutes
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Services Database:
22 agency record updates
85 program record updates
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Housing Database:
56 units added
1,954 records updated
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Website page views:
45,545
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Website Sessions/visitors:
12,855
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AHIP (AIDS Housing Information Project) | |
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AHIP (AIDS Housing Information Project) offers housing and human services resource referrals to People Living with HIV/AIDS via a designated phone line and through one-on-one, in-person assistance at clinics and AIDS Service Organizations.
Last month, AHIP provided 78 housing referrals and 80 referrals to services. Year to date, AHIP has provided assistance to 4 unduplicated clients.
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"211 staff was very helpful, patient, and very courteous. They were very kind, understanding, and empathetic. Thank you so much!"
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Thank You to Our Partners | |
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Partner Spotlight - Asian Health Services
To honor Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month this May, we are spotlighting Asian Health Services. They are a non-profit organization that offers medical, dental, and behavioral health care for Alameda County's underserved Asian and Pacific Islander community. You can learn more about them by visiting their website.
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Eden I&R is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, and your donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
We envision a community empowered with information and connected to resources so that all people obtain health, happiness, hope, and improved livelihoods.
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