East Oakland Building Healthy CommunitiesYouth Research Team Recommendations

Youth Researchers: Olempia Castillo, Jamal Cole, Jose Sody, Maleesha Garner, Dan-iel Drakes, Christina Green, Tupou Mafi, Rubio Vallejo, BJ Phillips, Jeramey Alexander, Louis Summerhill, Joseph Johnson, Genesis Preciado, Javae Reed & Yeashan Banks

Outcome ThreeHealth and family focused services are shifted towards prevention.

Current State of Outcome Three

Ranked 7th in the survey data.Our observational data revealed numerous health gaps in East Oakland:Lack of clinics: few health homes (7 or so)Lack of hospitals: 0 hospitals

$70.00, highest $357.92 (per month) Low expectationsAlameda County prevention funding: $3,121,545Alameda county population: 1,474,368Spending per person: $2.11

RecommendationsOutcome Three

There is a need for major increases in funding to support programming that we already know is effective (i.e. East Oakland Step to College, Youth Uprising, East Oakland Youth Development Center, Clinica de la Raza, ect). Preventative healthcare would need to start early by focusing on youth, while not ignoring immediate needs of adults that are trapped in negative health cycles.Investment on the front of the life cycle should be augmented by the creation of major stabilizing health institutions in the community, beginning with the construction of a hospital.

Recommendations Outcome Three 

Dramatically increase the number of homes available in East Oakland. These spaces will need to re-envision the way we think about health, act more as sanctuaries of “radical healing”. Including specialized training for incarcerated, victims of violence, & those struggling with substance abuse.

 

Outcome FourResidents live in communities with health-promoting land-use, transportation and community development.

Current State of Outcome Four

Ranked #6 by the community. Dangerous road and walking conditionsPeople live and interact in buildings with lead, mold, and other toxinsPoor infrastructural development, housing, Healthy foods, Educational resourcesLack of reliable transportation to get to: Jobs, School, Resources, Services

Outcome Four RecommendationsCommunity Events should be more frequent (rather than annual), ideally as often as once a month. This will help heal the social divisions and create solidarity.

Outcome FiveChildren and their families are safe from violence in their homes and neighborhoods.

Current State of Outcome Five

Ranked #2 by communityEast Oakland is ranked #3 in the most dangerous cities in the U.S. in the Morgan Quitno report. On Average 13 Crimes happen every hour in East Oakland Youth that drop out of high school are more likely to become involved in negative activities 12% of 7th graders, 10% of 9th graders and 7% of 11th graders currently belong to a gang

Recommendations for Outcome Five

Invest in a substantial increase in the quality & quantity of youth programming available through investments in schools and by increasing the number of Youth Centers.

Recommendations for Outcome Five

Promotion of Healing. Attention to healing the bodies, minds, and souls of victims of trauma. Promotion of therapy in schools youth will learn personal development that teaches about self, builds on interpersonal, social skills, not only academics. The traumatic experiences are connected to social division healing the youth will lead to solidarity.

Outcome SixCommunities support healthy youth development.

Current State of Outcome Six

Ranked #8 by community.Lack of quality leaders for youthLack of healthy activities lead to unhealthy habits and negative outletsResources we have are under resourced, under staffed, and over burdened

Recommendations for Outcome Six

Surround young people with options that include: access to caring adults, opportunities to exercise, and healthy food. Being with major investments in programs that keep youth off the streets. While also reducing or radically changing the number of liquor stores to make sure these places become places of healthy products.

Recommendations for Outcome Six

Increase after school programming. Community referenced youth centers such as Youth Uprising & East Oakland Youth Development Center as having “saved their life” by providing a way for them to do something positive. There needs to be multiple and steady relationships with caring adults that youth can relate to. Young adults from East Oakland should be groomed for these positions and should be treated as a respected profession where community members can serve the youth in the community while earning a livable wage and healthcare.

Outcome SevenNeighborhood and school environments support improved health and healthy behaviors.

Current State of Outcome Seven

Ranked #7 by communityCommunity support for local health homes exists, but there are too few of them.Lack of financial support to create and improve neighborhoods and schools.Common interview comment: we see the absence and the need for more resources and better qualify staff to take counseling positions.

Recommendations for Outcome Seven

Access and promotion of healthier foods through farmers market, community gardens and local grocery stores. •This will help lower obesity rates. •The number empty lots and abandoned buildings that line the streets of East Oakland can be targeted as development sites for healthier options.

Recommendations for Outcome Seven

Develop local training and hiring programs in East Oakland to fill the jobs created by increase investment in youth programming, service providing institutions and schools. These jobs should pay livable wages such that people can afford to raise their families while working in a professional and supportive environment in support of positive youth development.

Recommendations for Outcome Seven

Include: “Adults role models in our community from our community”

Improve & increase school programming.Teachers and adults in schools can provide a better quality education.After school activities and counseling that is specifically aimed at healing trauma.

Outcome EightCommunity health improvements are linked to economic development.

Current State of Outcome Eight

Economic and employment development restrict employment opportunities for individuals and their families living in those under-invested neighborhoodsEmployment opportunities are unevenly distributed.

Recommendation Outcome EightIf there were family entertainment centers, commerce, and retail would address five community needs with one stroke.

Providing jobs, access to good and services, increased tax revenue, safe family entertainment & beautifying the enjoinment. This could also be a target for vacant lots.

Recommendation Outcome Eight

New development projects targeting under-developed portions of the community should have mandates to hire East Oakland residents both for the building and the jobs that follow. Oakland can also focus on developing high growth employment sectors (i.e. green economy) and resident entrepreneurial visions. Development projects can also help meet the glaring need for affordable housing.

Outcome TenCalifornians have a common vision of community health (i.e. education, health care, environment, economic development).

Current State of Outcome Ten

Ranked # 9 by community.Community said:

Lack of access to healthy foodsLack of access to facilities or services that provide the opportunity for physical exercisePervasive violence and substance abuse in the communityDisparity in the mentor to youth ratio

Education: Personal development not being taught in schoolsYouth live in community plagued chronically by violence this contributes to high school drop-out ratesInadequate preparation for the job marketInterview comments show that we would like to see more affordable healthcare and community run health homes.

Outcome Ten Recommendations

Find more effective ways to develop a common vision of Health in East Oakland. Any efforts to develop a common vision must pay extra attention to the inclusion of youth because without their involvement we will not be creating anything that is sustainable for the next generation.