Youth:
I have been the Chair of the East Oakland Boxing Association/Smartmoves Program (EOBA/Smartmoves) for the past 10 years.  The program description will surprise you just as it surprises the young folk who maintain peer credibility by excelling in school because of the strict educational guidelines we place upon our attendees.  Our required study resulted in EOBA/SM being the recipient of the Senator Barbara Boxer "Excellence in Education" Award in 2000.  Visit the website for additional program and information and the philosophy we use to make the program so successful. In addition, I serve on the board of Students Run Oakland (SRO). Fellow board members are Alameda County Health Director, Tony Iton. and Kaiser Research Engineer and founder of Kids for Track, Mark Alexander. Both of these programs have achieved outstanding results relative to violence prevention and both programs definitely need to be replicated many times...  Above all else I know that we can dramatically reduce teenage violence if we teach young folk to respect each other and make sure they know their history.  In the schools and in Elmhurst Libraries we have seen the positive effect that history has on kids respect for each other. Sponsor essay contest four times a year that cover one racial/ethnic group  at a time: Latino History; Asian/Pacific Islander History; African American History; and Arabic History.  By doing so we have found that when kids know the contributions their peers have made to the betterment of this great United States, they respect each other and themselves a lot more.  Another way to reduce violence in our schools is to do what we did when I worked for the Councilmember at large.  We along with the merchants (Small Market & Liquor Store Owners) in Central Elmhurst, sponsor an essay contest for middle school students at Elmhurst Middle school.  We ask three questions: How do we prevent Violence in the School; what do you consider an Ideal neighborhood; and what can we do to make the school better?

We awarded the winners $200.00 dollar savings bonds and took all the participants to Chinatown For a dinner sponsored by Councilmember At-Large, Henry Chang, Jr. 

DISCUSS BINGO FUNDS RELATIVE TO THOSE WHO PLAY THE MOST! SENIORS

http://www.sroakland.org

Seniors
There is a deep concern about the budget cuts that the governor is advocating and as a member of the California Senior Leaders Program, I am one the 30 Seniors throughout the state who will focus attention, on a much wider identification of  Local basic on the already Impact of California Support Programs ----- Because of the Income falling short in Retirement.  In addition to my membership in this very effective senior recognition program, I Chair the Alameda County Advisory Commission on Aging - Public Relation/Senior Update Newsletter Committee.  My past chairmanship of the Oakland Commission on Aging from 2000 - 2007, I experienced, first hand the desperate plight of low income seniors and the lack of information available and readily accessible to moderate to average income seniors who have worked hard to prepare for a retirement that seems to be deteriorating right before their eyes.  Programs that are designed to assist ALL seniors are mostly known to just a few.  One of my main functions will be to make sure all seniors who are literate will be able to call our office and get the information they need to receive the help they need.  Just as youths, seniors really need more community based senior centers, such as one in each neighborhood.  We have approximately 16 neighborhoods in Oakland  -- Therefore we need at least 16 senior centers.  We do not want seniors to drive long distances for enjoyment of life, exercise, socialization, etc.DISCUSS BINGO FUNDING AND WHAT IT CAN DO FOR SENIORS AND YOUTH!

links:

http://ist-socrates.berkeley.edu/~aging/SeniorLeaders07

Youth Issues
Recognition of students who are achieving
More youth centers – similar to youth uprising – neighborhood oriented.
Enhance After School programs for all ages
Collaborate with the school board to improve the public schools
Family gathering places that include: bowling, skating; billiards; games, etc.

Seniors Issues
Transportation (West Oakland Senior Shuttle [WOSS] – duplicated or the Albany Model
Nutrition
Easy Information Access
Adequate Income
Affordable Housing
Safety (Curb Addresses)