PVF recently partnered with Oakland Thrives to administer the Youth Joy and Wellness Grant Program, a new fund supporting innovative and creative approaches to youth mental health and wellness in Oakland.

Many young people in Oakland are still reeling from the mental health crisis caused by the challenges of living in the pandemic, with community violence, poverty and systemic racism. Community-based organizations and schools have shown that the demand and opportunity to create non-traditional services and systems that support youth mental health and wellness exists. Now is the time to redefine support for youth mental health and wellness in Oakland. 

The Youth Joy and Wellness Fund provides rapid response grants to youth programs and schools in Oakland for projects, events, and services. Grant applications are generally reviewed and responded to within 48-hours to support individuals and programs in moving from planning to action.

Supporting youth mental health and wellness can come in many forms. For example, when asked what they needed to heal, young people said, “We need safe, fun, places to be with our friends and adults who care about us.” Holding a safe space for youth and trusted adults to come together could be a way to support youth that is responsive to this comment.

27 projects were funded during the first round of applications, including:

●   The I-visionary Talent Tour by The BLOC Love Foundation, a high school talent competition highlighting the hidden talent in under-resourced communities of Oakland.

●   Oakland Belonging oral history by Chapter 510 where ten low-income BIPOC and queer students will participate in a yearlong program to design the project, conduct interviews of local residents and business owners, write stories and oral histories about their topics, and create a podcast, zine, and public performance.

●   Cycles of Change, an after-school Bike Club out of local middle and high schools providing a no-cost program for young people to explore East Oakland and its diversity of neighborhoods and landscapes on bicycle, effectively breaking down barriers that low-income communities of color often face to accessing outdoor spaces.

Oakland Thrives plans to re-open the Youth Joy and Wellness Fund as soon as funding become available. If you are interested in donating to the fund, please contact Dawn Hawk at dhawk@venturesfoundation.org.