Supporting our Youth

By Patricia Kernighan

Support our youth with more after-school programs, violence prevention programs, and career preparation

We need to rally all the communities, the churches, the businesses, and the government entities in Oakland to support our schools and to take an active role in the lives of young people who need more adult guidance. We have a lot of great youth programs in Oakland, but not enough for the number of children who need them. We need to find the resources to replicate the programs that are working.

I am proud of the work I have done over the years on behalf of Oakland's children. I was an active public school volunteer for nine years and an advocate for School District reform for even longer. I was a delegate to the Commission for Positive Change in the Oakland Public Schools in the early 90's, a PTA President, and a lead organizer for the first School Facilities bond, Measure C, in l996. As a Library Commissioner for five years, I helped get a children's librarian in every branch. During my work for the Council office, I steered millions of dollars to create after-school programs at schools sites, I was instrumental in creating a park next to Bella Vista School and renovating another, both in low-income neighborhoods in District 2. I got our parks department to put recreation staff in San Antonio Park to serve the many low-income children in that neighborhood. I dedicated funds to renovate school playgrounds and to improve pedestrian safety at District 2 schools.

As Councilmember I will continue my commitment to Oakland's children by bringing together people and resources in our community to expand the services and support systems for the young people who need them most.