A message from City Manager Dee Williams Ridley
As our community faces unprecedented challenges, look for ways to support your neighbors in need.
As City Manager, I have marshalled all the City's available resources to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and protect our most vulnerable residents. With guidance and support from our Mayor and City Council, we've created hardship grants for renters, businesses, and arts organizations who are struggling financially and set up a process to protect renters from eviction. We've set up a testing site for those without access to health care and the essential City employees who serve them.
We've added public handwashing stations and port-a-potties. We've expanded the hours of our shower program to support our unhoused community members. We've bought trailers, rehabbed a vacant house and worked with the county to get people off the street and into hotels. We're converting a community center into a temporary shelter. We deliver hundreds of meals to seniors every week and check in with them on how they are doing.
Hundreds of City of Berkeley staff are working around the clock to keep our community safe, but there is still much work to do. That's where you come in.
The greatest strength of our city, and what makes it unique, is the people who call Berkeley home. Your generous spirit and commitment to justice are at the core of our ability to live well in good times and bounce back from hard times.
Lend a hand if you are able. Here are some ways you can help.
Volunteer to support your neighbors
- Bring food and supplies to at-risk neighbors
People over 60 or with underlying chronic health conditions are more susceptible to severe illness from COVID-19. The Berkeley Disaster Preparedness Neighborhood Network matches seniors and other vulnerable individuals to low-risk volunteers who can help pick up essential supplies like food, toiletries, and prescriptions. Visit Berkeley Mutual Aid to sign up.
- Join the California Health Corps
The State of California is recruiting health care professionals to help support the urgent need. Health Corps members might help treat people affected by COVID-19 or relieve pressure on our health care system by providing care for non-COVID-19 cases.
Physicians (including medical residents and students), nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, respiratory therapists, paramedics, medical assistants, emergency medical technicians, pharmacists, and dentists are all needed. Health Corps members will be paid and given malpractice insurance coverage. Apply online to join.
Donate to support emergency response and relief funding
- Donate protective equipment
We need thermometers, masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, disinfectants, and other protective goods to support our firefighters, nurses, police, and others on the front lines of COVID-19 response. If you have supplies you can spare, let us know.
- Donate blood
Donated blood has decreased dramatically, but it is needed more than ever. If you're eligible to donate, please do so to ensure there's lifesaving blood on the shelves for those who need it most. Visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment at the Oakland Blood Donation Center (6230 Claremont Avenue) or find other locations.
- Support the Berkeley Relief Fund
In March, Berkeley's City Council allocated $3 million in emergency relief funding to support small businesses, arts organizations, and renters suffering loss of income due to COVID-19. We're hoping to raise an additional $3 million through private fundraising, an effort being led by Mayor Jesse Arreguín. If you are able, make a donation online.
- Support the Alameda County Community Food Bank
With many of our neighbors out of work or facing significant medical expenses due to COVID-19, food insecurity is rising. The Alameda County Community Food Bank distributes groceries to those in need. Every $1 you give to the food bank provides $7 worth of food to neighbors in need. Donate online, or enlist your friends and family to contribute with a virtual food drive. If you can help distributing food to families in the East Bay, contact volunteer@accfb.org and use the subject line "Food Distributions."
Inspire Others
Even after five years serving Berkeley, I continue to be awed by the creative ways our community members find to step up and make a difference. I'm touched when I hear your stories of cutting back plants to give neighbors more space to walk on sidewalks while maintaining physical distance, or delivering supplies to vulnerable neighbors.
Your stories inspire me, and I want to amplify them to inspire others as well. Post what you're doing to make a difference on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram using the hashtag #BerkeleyReady, or email us at webmaster@cityofberkeley.info. We'll highlight responses on our social media and in email messages.
Our City is strong. While we have never faced a challenge quite like this, we have weathered disasters before. We will get through this one too, and come out on the other side a stronger, more resilient Berkeley.
Dee Williams-Ridley
Berkeley City Manager
