THE PROBLEM
It all started one night in a neighbors' living room with 15 of us gathered for a Q&A with The Honorable Mayor Libby Schaaf (see pic below). Homelessness came up as the number one topic with everyone asking, "what specific steps can we take to help solve the problem?"
Mayor Schaaf talked about Oakland's Cabin Communities - that it's only one tiny part of the larger solution - but that they've indeed resulted in positive outcomes. So far, of the individuals who've participated in five Cabin Communities built across Oakland, 68 to 76 percent are now living in either permanent or transitional housing. Those statistics are promising.
Redwood Heights Neighbors are tired of being helpless about the homelessness crisis. It's NOT OK that in our society this problem is so "normalized" that there is a Homeless encampment right behind the Home Depot. Most of us want to finally do something about it and be part of the solution in a very concrete way.
THE SOLUTION & WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW
We are sponsoring "The Redwood Heights Neighbors Cabin #7". The cost of each cabin is $6,000, including building, maintenance, security, case management & community engagement support.
Be part of our neighborhood crowdfunding campaign by SELECTING A REWARD FROM THE LIST on the right (or below). You will be recognized as a contributor to the Jack London Cabin Community, offered to participate in the official launch, as well as the actual build of Cabin #7 if you want to get in on the action. We are so grateful for your participation!
OUR GOAL & DEADLINE
Our goal is to raise enough for ONE cabin so we can help people stabilize their lives and find a way back to permanent housing. We will be asking the City of Oakland to earmark the funds to a designated Cabin # 7 at the Jack London Cabin Community in the name of The Redwood Heights Neighbors. It's an opportunity to be tied specifically to a concrete solution with the ability to make a difference.
We're on a mission to meet this goal in time to fund the Jack London Cabin build in September! Please sign up and join our team now!
THE TEAM
We are a team of Redwood Heights Neighbors who care about our community and want to take concrete steps to solve this epic homelessness crisis.
My name is Kris Vann and my husband Gene Vann (we are far left in pic below) and I live on Harbor View Avenue near Vale. This is a personal mission for me as my brother was hit by mental illness in his late 20s and has been in and out of rehabilitation facilities and homelessness ever since. I know first hand the difficulty that homeless people face to get themselves back to permanent housing.
We partnered with friends next door on Gregory Street (also in pic below), including Justin Berton, Jenny Pfeiffer, Heather Brown, and Aqua Paddick. It all started one night in Justin and Jenny's living room with 15 of us gathered for a Q&A with The Honorable Mayor Libby Schaaf. Homelessness came up as the number one topic with everyone asking, "what specific steps can we take to help solve the problem?" From that night, this initiative was born.
Special thanks to Stacey Wells (https://www.oaklandfund.org/staff-board/) who directs the Oakland Fund for Public Innovation and partnered with us on the opportunity to engage on the Jack London Cabin Community initiative!!!