City of Fremont Human Services Department Weekly Update

The Fremont Housing Navigation Center (FHNC) recently celebrated its second year of operation, in which the Center provided encouragement and housing for 83 unhoused, local individuals. With the assistance of Bay Area Community Services, the Center was also able to assist 46 residents find stable housing, and 22 residents with obtaining employment upon exiting the program.

Additionally, the FHNC came in under budget at $2.01 million and was fully funded via several state and county funding sources, including State Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) and Alameda County Social Service Agency Funding.

Read the full report.

Youth Ambassadors

Our Youth & Family Services division is recruiting for its Youth Wellness Ambassador project. Eight high school students will be invited to participate in a social impact project: Exploration of the Intersections of Culture and Mental Health.

Project Period: March 20 through May 26, 2023.

Application deadline extended to: March 15, 2023.

View the flyer or visit our website for complete information.

Safe Parking Host Site

The Safe Parking Host Site Program is searching for dedicated volunteers to help administer services in the evenings and mornings to our unhoused community members living in their vehicles.

As a volunteer, you will:

Assist guest check-in in the evening and check-out in the morning
Assist program hospitality: delivering food, coordinating evening activities

All volunteers will receive training.

Email for more information.

Human Relations Commission

Interested in serving the whole Fremont community? The Human Relations Commission promotes, supports, and creates a compassionate community where diversity is honored and respected, neighbors support each other, and the most vulnerable receive services. For more information on this commission or meetings, visit the Commission's webpage.

If you are interested, contact Noelle Tolentino, Secretary to the Commission, via email or 510-574-2088.

Senior Citizens Commission

Interested in serving Older Adults in Fremont? The Senior Citizens Commission assesses the needs of the older adult community, works with public, and private agencies to coordinate senior services, and monitors legislation of interest to seniors. For more information on this commission or meetings, visit the Commission's webpage.

If you are interested, contact Karen Grimsich, Aging Family Services Administrator, via email or 510-574-2062.

Senior Peer Counselors

Our Aging and Family Services Division is seeking volunteers to assist seniors in our Senior Peer Counseling (SPC) Program, which assists Tri-City seniors 55 years or older facing moderate mental health issues. Trained seniors, who understand the challenges of aging, provide counseling and emotional support both in the home or in our counseling offices. SPC Program serves elders facing a variety of issues and is supervised by a licensed professional therapist.

If you are at least 50 years of age and can participate in a 36-hour training, visit our website to learn more.

Senior Ambassadors

Our Aging and Family Services Division is accepting volunteers to join the Community Ambassador Program for Seniors (CAPS). Volunteer Ambassadors serve as a bridge between the formal network of services and their respective communities. Volunteers are trained on local services and programs and share this information with older adults in need.

If you are at least 50 years of age and want to learn more, visit our website or contact Marisha Engineer, Community Programs Coordinator via email.

Eviction Moratorium Set to Expire

Yesterday, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors ended the County’s COVID-19 State of Emergency, allowing the Eviction Moratorium to end. There will be a 60-day grace period in which landlords cannot evict tenants. The Eviction Moratorium will expire on April 29, 2023 at 11:59 pm Evictions will be allowed to proceed after that.

If you are at risk of eviction, the Family Resource Center (FRC) can provide information, referrals, and mediation regarding the eviction process and other services, depending on your situation. Please call the FRC at 510-574-2028. For more information, visit our website.

Clinical Supervisor

The Fremont Family Resource Center is recruiting for a Clinical Supervisor. The Clinical Supervisor will perform a wide range of

responsibilities overseeing direct services staff who are both professionals and interns, including crisis intervention mental health

clinicians, counselors, and case managers. This position works in partnership with other Clinical Supervisors in the Department and maintains close partnership with a second Clinical Supervisor at the FRC who oversees social work staff with an emphasis on case management and support services.

Licensed as a Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) or Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is required. Please take a look at our recruitment brochure for complete details.

Clinical Program Coordinator (Senior)

Our Youth and Family Services Division is looking for an experienced Clinical Mental Health Program Coordinator who is responsible for overseeing the Early Childhood Mental Health Program and supervising clinicians. This position also provides direct counseling and early childhood consultation services to children 0-8 years, parents, and family members.

Licensed as a Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Clinical Psychologist, or Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is required. View our recruitment brochure for complete details.

The Youth and Family Services Division, in partnership with Fremont Unified School District, is excited to announce its Sixth Annual Virtual Student Art Contest.

The contest promotes National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day on May 11, 2023. Fremont residents or FUSD students from kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to digitally submit original art, photographs, and poetry based on this year's theme, "My Happy Place". The first 100 entries are guaranteed to be judged. Deadline to submit entries is 12:00 pm on Friday, March 24, 2023. Visit our website for complete details.

The Age Well Centers at Lake Elizabeth and South Fremont are pleased to announce new hours of operation.

Starting April 1st, hours will be

8 am- 4:30 pm,

Monday through Friday

The change will accommodate new programming and services. We hope these business hours will encourage you to stop by and participate in all the great activities.

AGE WELL CENTER AT LAKE ELIZABETH

Calligraphy Workshop

Tuesday, April 4

10 - 11:15 am

Wing B/Street Side

Fee: $35 members, $55 non members

This introductory workshop will focus on the basics of modern calligraphy. Students will be introduced to basic strokes along with the style and techniques of holding and writing with brush pens of different tip sizes.

Students will learn how to write their initials in modern calligraphy. Try this introductory class and see how relaxing and meditative this art is. Materials will be provided. Material fee $8.

Modern Brush Pen Calligraphy

Mondays April 24-May 22

11 am - 12 pm

Wing B/Park Side

Fee: $50 members, $70 non members

Learn to write beautifully with brush pens. Designed for beginners, the class will cover the basics of using, holding, and writing with brush pens.

Students will learn the fundamentals of strokes, lowercase alphabets, and a little introduction to word composition. Materials will be provided. Material fee $ 8.

EMAIL Nick Jordan with questions about classes at the Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth.

AGE WELL CENTER AT SOUTH FREMONT

Bingo Game

Sponsored by Mean Well

Friday, March 17

1:15 - 2 pm Large Activity Room

Please join this free fun-filled event hosted by Mean Well. Prizes will be provided to all winners. Bring your friends and family and have a fantastic time! Space is limited, please register today!

Technology Class

iPhone: Camera and Photos

Tuesday, March 21

10 - 11:30 am Conference Room

Do you love taking photos with your iPhone. Join this class and learn the different ways to set up and use your phone's camera along with the photos you take and how to organize them. Free. Enroll today! Instructor: John Fancher.

EMAIL Martha Torrez with questions about classes at the Age Well Center at South Fremont.

The Fremont FRC is now offering free tax preparation services through our Fremont VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program for those who made $75,000 or less last year.

This year our VITA tax preparers are offering three ways to get your documents to us:

• Drop-Off Service – make an appointment to drop off your documents at the FRC.

• Virtual Service – submit your documents online through our secure platform.

• In-Person Tax Preparation Service – make an appointment at one of our Tri-City locations to have your tax returns prepared in person while you wait.

For details on our tax services, see our VITA tax flyer in English, Spanish, and Chinese or visit our SparkPoint VITA tax website.

Alameda Healthcare for the Homeless is providing one-hour virtual Opioid Overdose Responder and Naloxone training to those who work or reside in Alameda County. There are several dates and times available.

Instructions to pick up a Naloxone kit will be provided after you have received the training.

Visit the AHCH website for complete information and to see registration options.

text that reads Safe Parking Program Need a Safe Place to Park Overnight

Tri-City residents living in their vehicles and interested in learning more about the City of Fremont’s Safe Parking Host Site program may call 510-574-2222 or email for more information.

Church sites have opened their lots overnight and provide fellowship through a welcoming space, hot meals, clean portable bathrooms, and friendly volunteers. No RVs are permitted at this time.

Individuals or couples over 18 living in their vehicles are invited to call 510-574-2222 or email for more information.

Interested in becoming a Safe Parking Host Site?

Organizations with site control of parking lots that are public, quasi-public, or have existing assembly use permits, are highly encouraged to apply to become a host site.

For information on how to become a host site, review our Prospective Safe Parking Host Site Program Packet.

For more information on the Safe Parking Host Site Program,

please email or call Guadalupe Gonzalez at 510-574-2222.

The Clean Start Mobile Hygiene Unit is back in service. In addition to its regular schedule, a new stop has been added.

Thursdays from noon to 2 pm, CleanStart will be at the Fremont Main Library, 2400 Stevenson Blvd in Fremont.

For an updated schedule, visit our website.

Affordable Housing in Fremont

In the next few years, more affordable housing is planned for Fremont. Nearly 800 new affordable rental units will become available for low-income households. To learn more, visit the City’s Upcoming Units webpage.

In addition, through the City’s First Time Homebuyer Program, Below Market Price (BMP) homes located in Fremont will continue to be offered for sale as they become available. To learn more and view available homes, visit the City’s BMP webpage.

To receive information when these new affordable housing opportunities become available, community members can sign up for the following interest lists. Those who subscribe can choose to receive the information by email or SMS/text message.

Affordable Rental Units for Adults and Families:

Affordable Housing Interest List

Affordable Rental Units for Seniors:

Senior Affordable Housing Interest List

Below Market Price (BMP) Homes for Sale:

First Time Homebuyer Program Interest List

For more information about affordable housing in Fremont, visit the City's Affordable Housing webpage.

FEMA has important information about how to save family treasures that have been damaged by flooding.

With a little patience and prompt action, saving cherished photographs, letters, paintings, and other irreplaceable objects is possible. Their step-by-step instructions will help you stabilize your treasured objects and buy you time to make an educated decision on further treatment and handling of your family mementos.

Visit the FEMA website for details.

South County Housing Resource Center Drop-In Hours

Our Homeless Care and Response Division hosts drop-in hours as a South County Housing Resource Center (HRC) in the Fremont Family Resource Center's Millennium Room. This is an opportunity for people seeking housing problem-solving support, shelter assessments and referrals, or housing assessments.

New Drop-in hours are Thursdays,

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 - 3 p.m. at 39155 Liberty St., Fremont, CA. For more information, call the Fremont FRC at 510-574-2000.

Affordable Home Renovations

Renew Alameda County helps homeowners make renovations necessary to stay, grow, and thrive in their homes. Renew AC can make home improvement plans come to life - without breaking the bank. Renew AC provides 1% interest loans from $15,000 to $150,000 to qualified homeowners. Simple interest is accrued annually, with total interest never to exceed 50% of the amount borrowed, and payments are deferred until the home is sold. Renew AC is for low-income homeowners who live in Alameda County.

Visit the Renew AC website for program requirements and more information, or view the program flyer here.

Renew AC is administered by Alameda County and operated by Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley. All inquiries will be handled directly by Habitat staff.

Help on Tap — Alameda County Water District Customer Assistance Program

Help on Tap customer assistance program provides qualifying single-family residential accounts a $40.00 credit on their bi-monthly water service charge. Credit will be applied upon approval of your application.

For complete information, visit their website.

Help for Energy Bills

East Bay Community Energy has launched a set of Energy Bill Payment Assistance web pages.

They are designed to help you better understand what programs are available and the eligibility requirements. You can enroll in the program that is right for you.

To see which program is right for you, visit their website.

Assistance for COVID-19 Related Funeral Expenses

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA provides financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.

Visit FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance for guidance and eligibility requirements and types of services funded. Call FEMA's dedicated helpline at 1-844-684-6333 for instructions on applying for this assistance.