You, Me, We Oakley! (YMWO) is glad to announce a new and important partnership with the San Francisco Foundation (TSFF)! YMWO has just received word that it has been selected as a 2017 grant recipient in the amount of $40,000. In addition to the funding, TSFF will be providing resources and expertise to assist YMWO in growing the capacity of welcoming work.
YMWO is a grant-funded program that aims to create opportunities for Oakley’s diverse residents to come together and better understand one another, appreciate each other’s stories and recognize their common desire to build a stronger, safer and more vibrant community. Did you know Oakley has received well over $500,000 in private grant funding which has been used to fund art exhibits, citizenship drives, dialogues, multicultural entertainment at festivals, mental health crisis trainings, implicit bias training of City Staff and more!
The program commenced in 2011, with unanimous support of the cross sector partners including the City of Oakley and local school districts. Program Coordinator, Gaby Banos Galvan, explains, “It is built on the value of mutual respect for all Oakley residents regardless of race, nationality, language, religion, age etc. —the purpose is to create a better future together.”
This funding will augment funding by the Y&H Soda Foundation, and allow the program to continue to organize the Heart of Oakley Festival’s cultural and entertainment subcomponent and host multicultural dinners and citizenship drives. New endeavors made possible through this funding include offering the City of Oakley’s first Leadership Academy in Spanish and follow up to a recent implicit bias training provided to City Staff, including the Police Department.
The City Council approved a resolution last month to allow the City of Oakley to receive grant funds in order to cover the costs associated with YMWO activities, overhead, promotional materials, and staff time. Mayor Sue Higgins shared, “I am so excited to have this program continue the great work in our community and we know it will serve to only bring us together. Our City is better because of this work!”
For more on You Me We = Oakley, visit them online.
