Throw Down for the Town: Help Oaklanders Find Jobs

Our Throw Down For the Town service project started as an idea of Ella Baker Center staff member Tara Ramanathan. She envisioned professional development for Oaklanders in the form of resume writing assistance, free professional clothing, and even free haircuts-- meeting people's needs from head to toe (literally).  But her vision needed a team to bring it to fruition.  That's where I come in. 

 

As part of Ella's Leadership Council for the Soul of the City campaign, I was tasked with leading a service project for this year's Throw Down event.  This service project opportunity was too good to pass up.  The work group I help facilitate for the Soul of the City campaign focuses on our Reclaim the Future workshop, an inspiring half day experience that empowers individuals to solve the problems facing our community.  It's also the entry point to Soul of the City membership.  The professional development project really embodies the social progress we aim to transmit during our Reclaim the Future presentations. 

 

Taking on the project was only the beginning; Tara and I needed a team.  The Reclaim the Future work group came through for us in true Soul of the City fashion.  Lucy Litvak and Lakeisha Richardson joined me for logistics planning as well as putting together the take-home information we would be working from.  Miranda Everitt, one of Soul of the City's newest members, created our fabulous flyer for the event.  Tara focused on professional clothing procurement for the event.  Many other members of our hardworking community provided support and will be in Snow Park on Saturday to make our vision of helping folks find jobs a reality. But now we need you. 

 

We have made incredible progress securing clothing donations from thrift stores, organizations, and private donations, but we are still in need of more clohthing items to give to our particpants on July 28th.  Please take a look through your closet and consider donating those dress shirts, slacks, blouses, skirts, and ties you are no longer using.  You'll receive not only the satisfaction of knowing you helped someone confidently show up to a potentionally life changing job interview, but also the incredible joy that comes with taking an active role in healing and strengthening our communities. 

 

Drop off your donations any day this week between 10 am and 5 pm to Tara at the
Ella Baker Center For Human Rights
1970 Broadway, Suite 450
Oakland, CA 94612