Our Impact

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ALL ARE WELCOME

Lake Merritt United Methodist Church is an inclusive Christian community feeding the spiritual and physical hunger of Oakland:

We strive to:

• live and love like Jesus,
• foster authentic connection and unconditional belonging, and
• make a difference for the most vulnerable among us.

All are welcome as we seek to build a multi-racial, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural community. We welcome and affirm the full participation of the LGBTQIA community in the life of the congregation.

United Methodists don’t agree on all aspects of doctrine. However, we share a commitment to the basics of Christianity and a Christian life, rather than by assenting to a particular scheme of beliefs. Four main guidelines help us understand our faith:

• Scripture
• Tradition
• Experience
• Reason

These guidelines are interdependent and allow for variety in theology.

• The Bible
• John Wesley’s writings
• The Articles of Religion
• The Confession of Faith
• The United Methodist “Book of Discipline”
• Theologians and educators

We believe in God, Creator of the world; and in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of creation. We believe in the Holy Spirit, through whom we acknowledge God’s gifts, and we repent of our sin misusing these gifts to idolatrous ends.

We affirm the natural world as God’s handiwork and dedicate ourselves to its preservation, enhancement, and faithful use by humankind.

We joyfully receive for ourselves and others the blessings of community, sexuality, marriage, and the family.

We commit ourselves to the rights of men, women, children, youth, young adults, the aging, and people with disabilities; to improvement of the quality of life; and to the rights and dignity of racial, ethnic, and religious minorities.

We believe in the right and duty of persons to work for the glory of God and the good of themselves and others and in the protection of their welfare in so doing; in the rights to property as a trust from God, collective bargaining, and responsible consumption; and in the elimination of economic and social distress.

“The Social Creed” from The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, 2000.

  MISSION

The mission of the Young Musicians Choral Orchestra™ (YMCO) is to use high quality, intensive musical training, academic support, and personal guidance to improve the lives of talented, low-income students, ages 9-18, from throughout the Bay Area. By advancing their academic, musical, and personal accomplishments throughout their middle-school and high-school years, YMCO enhances students’ competitive appeal and success at four-year universities and conservatories. All of YMCO’s services are provided at no cost. 

https://www.youngmusiciansco.org/

What started ten years ago as a small gift of love to the Goodie Bag Lady’s young clients in local Alameda County shelters has now formed into a huge year long gift giving adventure.  Every holiday, the Goodie Bag Lady assembles and delivers hundreds of goodie bags to our children and domestic violence survivors in Alameda County.   This effort to make everyone feel special on holidays includes Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, 4th of July, and Halloween too! 

Our mission is to display kindness and concern for others, “The Goodie Bag Lady,” is putting the twinkle in their eye and the smiles on their faces.  We are making a positive impact one goodie bag at a time!

 About Amalna Maroc: Amalna means “Our Hope” in Arabic. Our hope is to advance women’s development in Morocco. A primary focus of Amalna Maroc is to work with women’s cooperatives in Morocco, especially in rural areas, by providing education, resources and support that increase empowerment and economic opportunity for Moroccan women and girls. 

 The African American Business Council (AABC) has been an advocate for San Leandro Black Owned Businesses for over 20 years. Its mission is to be an advocate for and eliminate obstacles in the path of black-owned business success, while developing future business-owners and leaders. These goals have been achieved by hosting business development workshops, providing public agency certification assistance, assisting in formulating San Leandro business policies and creating business-to-business opportunities. 

  The Housing Authority of the County of Alameda (HACA) operates a number of programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that provide rental housing or rental assistance for low-income families, the elderly, people with disabilities, and others, in much of Alameda County.  

To help transform the problems of prejudice into the promise of Unity thru decreasing the Racial and “Digital Divide" as we work together within our communities understanding the Accomplishments African Americans have made and are still making to these United States of America.

Sankofa Akili Dance Ensemble celebrates African life and culture though contemporary African dance and music

Our mission is to restore hope and dignity to those that feel alone. This includes seniors, homeless individuals, and children.  Sharon's wings of love ensures that our elderly, homeless, and children are not forgotten.Without the love of our community we have no meaning. Help Sharon's Wings of Love to help others. 

 Human sustainability is a concept that encourages organizations to focus on the value they provide to their employees, rather than the other way around. This can help create a more positive work environment and address challenges like burnout and employee retention. 

 The Salvation Army provides Thanksgiving meals to those in need in a number of ways, including: 

• Meals on-siteThe Salvation Army serves Thanksgiving meals at community centers in a to-go style. 
• Meals deliveredThe Salvation Army delivers Thanksgiving meals to homebound seniors and disabled adults. For example, in San Francisco, the Salvation Army delivers meals to shut-ins and seniors. 

The Salvation Army's Thanksgiving dinner typically includes turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, rolls, and pumpkin pie.  

 WHAT WE DO

At Fred Finch Youth & Family Services, we extend unconditional care, support, and opportunity to children, youth, young adults, and their families facing intricate challenges. These challenges may include mental or emotional impairment, developmental disability, early trauma and abuse, substance use, poverty, exclusion, discrimination, and stigma.

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Recognizing that each person has unique and evolving needs, our services are offered in diverse configurations and numerous locations, spanning residential treatment, public schools, non-public schools, homes, community settings, as well as specialized independent and shared housing. Our comprehensive mental health, educational, and social services are delivered by professional, culturally competent, and innovative teams. Emphasizing individualization, we tailor our approach to the specific strengths, hopes, and aspirations of each person and family. Our ultimate goal is to consistently provide and deliver culturally responsive services to our participants and their families, nurturing mental and physical resilience and wellness..