YES! Nature to Neighborhoods
“In partnership with nature, YES! nurtures leaders who champion the wellbeing of our community. Our vision is for Richmond youth, adults and families to lead healthy, connected lives; motivate change in their neighborhoods; and inspire a safe, thriving community.” — YES! Nature to Neighborhoods The Red Oak Opportunity Foundation (ROOF) recently donated over $100,000 to East Bay nonprofits. In this series of blog posts we profile the recipients of those donations. Learn more and donate to help the community here. YES! Nature to Neighborhoods is based in Richmond, CA and focuses on providing access to nature, environmental education, and leadership development for underrepresented youth, adults and families.Their mission is to promote social and environmental justice, empowering young people and their families to improve their health and wellbeing while cultivating stewardship of the natural world. Photo credits: YES! Nature to Neighborhoods Since 1999, YES! has provided outdoor access to over 5,500 youth from Richmond and West Contra Costa County through sleep-away summer camp and local outdoor camp days. According to one participant, “I gained a lot of knowledge about forests and animals and leg muscles.” YES! promotes the right of everyone to experience the transformative power of nature. They provide access to internships, leadership development, educational, and employment opportunities. While working on the community garden in Nicholl Park, participants develop organizational and planning skills while utilizing plants chosen for their drought-tolerant and medicinal characteristics. Access to green spaces and environmental education is often limited for marginalized communities. YES! Nature to Neighborhoods is directly reducing environmental inequalities and promoting social equity. Donate to ROOF and support your local East Bay neighbors, today! ROOF is 501(c) 3 nonprofit charitable organization, 100% of your tax-deductible contribution goes directly to local organizations.
ROOF Recipient Spotlight - Central Stage
“Central Stage promotes Persian arts and culture, providing an affordable space where the artistic community can explore creative expression, promote cultural dialogue, and share knowledge through performing and visual arts.” — Central Stage The Red Oak Opportunity Foundation (ROOF) recently donated over $100,000 to East Bay nonprofits. In this series of blog posts we profile the recipients of those donations. Learn more and donate to help the community here. Central Stage, a cozy community theater in Richmond, has emerged as a cultural and performing arts center for the Persian and Iranian community of the East Bay. It’s a volunteer based organization and the only local creative space operated by and for this community. By providing this venue, they foster open expression, enabling experimentation and development in the arts. The center hosts small plays, musical performances, talks, film screenings, and other events. They even have a small library of works in Farsi. Photo credits: Central Stage Central Stage is a progressive center for both artists and local supporters to meet and collaborate. It has provided support and a haven for the community through past and recent turmoil in and around Iran. More than just a performance space, it is also available to host meetings and events. Check them out if you need an affordable venue for a party, wedding or rehearsal space. Central Stage is a rare gem. A great gathering place with an affirming outlook, lots of great art and culture. Donate to ROOF and support your local East Bay neighbors, today! ROOF is 501(c) 3 nonprofit charitable organization, 100% of your tax-deductible contribution goes directly to local organizations.
ROOF Recipient Spotlight - Women’s Daytime Drop-in Center
“We are a non-profit program addressing the needs of homeless and low-income women and children to ensure that they have a safe daytime refuge where they receive support, nourishing meals, and access to community resources to overcome homelessness and to become empowered to regain self-sufficiency.” — Women’s Daytime Drop-in Center The Red Oak Opportunity Foundation (ROOF) recently donated over $100,000 to East Bay nonprofits. In this series of blog posts we profile the recipients of those donations. Learn more and donate to help the community here. The Women's Daytime Drop-in Center (WDDC) is a Berkeley-based non-profit serving the needs of women and their children who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless. The center provides a safe and welcoming space where women can access essential services, resources, and support to help them get back on their feet. Founded in 1988, the WDDC has been a lifeline for many. It's based in a one-story, brown shingle house, where the staff and volunteers provide compassionate, non-judgmental care to every woman who walks through their doors. It’s open seven days a week, and its services are completely free of charge. The center covers basic needs like food, clean clothing and personal hygiene products, which are essential for maintaining health and dignity. They may also provide case management, referrals to housing, employment services and access to legal aid and health care. Nutritious breakfasts, lunches, coffee and snacks are served daily. Since most shelters close down early in the morning and don’t let those sleeping there back inside until late in the day, those without homes often have to find places to go during the daytime hours. The WDDC offers a solution for some. By providing this range of resources, the center aims to support families in their efforts to stabilize their living situations in a safe and nurturing environment. ROOF is proud to support this vital resource for our community. Donate to ROOF and support your local East Bay neighbors, today! ROOF is 501(c) 3 nonprofit charitable organization, 100% of your tax-deductible contribution goes directly to local organizations.
ROOF Spotlight - Sogorea Te' Land Trust
“We envision a Bay Area in which Ohlone language and ceremony are an active, thriving part of the cultural landscape, where Ohlone place names and history is known and recognized and where intertribal Indigenous communities have affordable housing, social services, cultural centers and land to live, work and pray on.” — Sogorea Te’ The Red Oak Opportunity Foundation (ROOF) recently donated over $100,000 to East Bay nonprofits. In this series of blog posts we profile the recipients of those donations. Learn more and donate to help the community here. Sogorea Te' Land Trust is committed to the revitalization of traditional Indigenous land practices and the return of land to Indigenous peoples. The organization was founded in 2012 by a group of Indigenous women, including Corrina Gould and Johnella LaRose, who were inspired by their ancestors' resistance to colonization and land theft. The group has since grown into a larger community of Indigenous peoples and allies who work together to protect and restore local Indigenous land and culture. One of the main goals of Sogorea Te' is to facilitate the process of rematriation, which is the returning of land to Indigenous women and their descendants as it seeks to offset historical losses. In addition to their work on land return, Sogorea Te engages in activities that promote Indigenous culture and knowledge. This includes the organization of cultural revitalization, workshops, and educational programs, as well as the creation of a traditional garden in Berkeley. Sogorea Te' has been involved in notable efforts to protect Indigenous land and culture in the Bay Area. They successfully stopped the development of a shopping mall on a sacred burial site in Vallejo by organizing protests and direct actions, leading to the abandonment of the project. Sogorea Te' Land Trust is a powerful advocate for the revitalization of local Indigenous culture. Their dedication to rematriation and the recognition of Indigenous women's leadership is an important contribution to the broader movement for Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination. Photo credits: Sogorea Te' Land Trust Donate to ROOF and support your local East Bay neighbors, today! ROOF is 501(c) 3 nonprofit charitable organization, 100% of your tax-deductible contribution goes directly to local organizations.
ROOF Recipient Spotlight - Mercy Brown Bag Program
“While Mercy Brown Bag Program will always give seniors the groceries they need, we dream of a day when all seniors have enough resources so they do not have to choose between a place to live, medicine, or food to eat.” — Mercy Brown Bag Program The Red Oak Opportunity Foundation (ROOF) recently donated over $100,000 to East Bay nonprofits. In this series of blog posts we profile the recipients of those donations. Learn more and donate to help the community here. The Mercy Brown Bag Program, headquartered in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood, is a shining example of how a community-driven organization can make a difference in the lives of those in need. Founded in 1983 by Sister Mary Gertrude Murphy, a Sister of Mercy, the program's mission is to provide nutritious food to seniors who live on limited incomes. What began as a small food pantry has grown into a multifaceted program that serves over 4,000 individuals each month. The Mercy Brown Bag Program provides a weekly bag of fresh produce and healthy staples to eligible participants at several distribution sites throughout the East Bay. Photo credits: Mercy Brown Bag Program To obtain the high-quality, fresh produce and pantry staples, the program works in cooperation with the USDA as well as local farmers. They also make purchases from the Alameda County Food Bank. Each bag is carefully curated to ensure that recipients receive a balance of fruits, vegetables, grains, and healthy proteins. The program's success is due in large part to the dedication of its volunteers, who sort, pack, and distribute the weekly bags. Many of these volunteers are seniors themselves, who find meaning and purpose in giving back to their community. The program also relies on the generosity of individual and corporate donors, who contribute funds, food, and other resources to support its mission. The Mercy Brown Bag Program has received widespread recognition for its innovative approach to addressing food insecurity.. But perhaps the greatest testament to its success is the gratitude of the program's clients. For many seniors the weekly grocery bag is a lifeline that provides nourishment, companionship, and hope. Donate to ROOF and support your local East Bay neighbors, today! ROOF is 501(c) 3 nonprofit charitable organization, 100% of your tax-deductible contribution goes directly to local organizations.
ROOF Recipient Spotlight - LavaMae
“We tend to say yes — we’re willing to take risks. We don’t have to have five years of proven results. It’s just about getting in there and figuring out what works.” — Doniece Sandoval, Founder, LavaMae The Red Oak Opportunity Foundation (ROOF) recently donated over $100,000 to East Bay nonprofits. In this series of blog posts we profile the recipients of those donations. Learn more and donate to help the community here. LavaMaex is a nonprofit that teaches and funds both local and global organizations to provide mobile showers and other services to the unhoused. Launched in 2014, the organization (which alludes to “wash me” in Spanish) serves the most vulnerable local populations with a mission to provide hope, dignity, and joy for those experiencing homelessness. To fulfill this mission, LavaMaex provides showers and other mobile hygiene services such as haircuts, laundry facilities, and other support to individuals taking steps towards stability and health. The organization's unique mobile facilities are called Pop-Up Care Villages and each is equipped with showers, sinks and mirrors. Clients are also offered hygiene kits and basic clothing. These mobile villages are set up in partnership with local churches, libraries, schools and other community organizations, staying in one location for 1-2 days at a time. Committed to the practice of Radical Hospitality®, these sites build dignity and community. Photo credits: LavaMaex and Red Oak Realty LavaMaex serves hundreds of people throughout the Bay Area and beyond, mobilizing volunteers and donations in support of its mission. Their innovative and inclusive approach is a natural fit for ROOF. Donate to ROOF and support your local East Bay neighbors, today! ROOF is 501(c) 3 nonprofit charitable organization, 100% of your tax-deductible contribution goes directly to local organizations.
ROOF Recipient Spotlight - Rebuilding Together Oakland/East Bay
“Our vision: A safe, healthy home for every person.” — Rebuilding Together Oakland/East Bay The Red Oak Opportunity Foundation (ROOF) recently donated over $100,000 to East Bay nonprofits. In this series of blog posts we profile the recipients of those donations. Learn more and donate to help the community here. Founded in 1988, the mission of Rebuilding Together Oakland/East Bay is to ensure that seniors, veterans, and low-income households have safe and healthy homes. They also help maintain and renovate the facilities of nonprofit organizations that serve low-income and under-resourced East Bay communities. Photo credits: Rebuilding Together Rebuilding Together is composed of a passionate team of volunteers and professionals, working together to provide free repairs and renovations. This includes anything from fixing a leaky faucet to substantial construction projects like building a wheelchair ramp. On top of their repair services, Rebuilding Together provides energy-efficient improvements like insulation, weather-stripping, dual-pane windows and door upgrades. Importantly, they also work to ensure that the homes are safe, performing general safety assessments and installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. They provide financial education and counseling to help homeowners manage their costs and make informed decisions about home maintenance and improvements. If you’re looking to get involved in helping the community, volunteers of all ages and skill levels are welcome and no construction experience is necessary. They can use support with a variety of tasks, including home repair, painting, landscaping, disaster recovery services and more. ROOF is proud to support this effective organization, which demonstrates a considerable social return on investment. Donate to ROOF and support your local East Bay neighbors, today! ROOF is 501(c) 3 nonprofit charitable organization, 100% of your tax-deductible contribution goes directly to local organizations.
Six Key Takeaways from the 2022 Inner East Bay Market
The 2022 real estate market could be neatly divided into halves: The first half was a continuation of the hot pandemic market, with the median price for single-family homes in the Inner East Bay reaching an all-time high ($1.2M in June). But then the Fed put the brakes on this exuberance, leading to a quick and sharp decline in the second half of the year. This leads us to the current state of the market, which we summarize with these 6 top takeaways: In 2022, the number of transactions fell precipitously. The number of transactions in December fell 43% compared to the previous year and Q4 transactions were at their lowest point since 2007. Full-year 2022 transaction count was flat from 2019 and up slightly from 2020, but down 22% from 2021, which was an unusually active year. Median price also fell, down 7% in Q4 compared to the previous year. This was the largest year-over-year quarterly decrease since 2011. However, when looking at the full year, the median price was $1,059,000, a 5% increase over 2021, and the highest ever recorded. There are some interesting stories in this data, though. For example, in Q4, compared to the previous year, condos depreciated 14% while 5-bedroom single-family homes appreciated 7%. Compared to 2020 or before, prices are still up significantly in almost every Inner East Bay city. Price reductions mainly affected lower-priced listings. In Q4 2022, 33% of homes that sold below $1M required a list price reduction, but among homes in the $1M-$2M range, only 14% took a reduction. Sales in San Leandro and West Contra Costa County were most affected by this trend with 37% and 31% of transactions reduced in price, respectively. One of the biggest changes was the percent difference between original list price and sale price. In April, homes sold at an all-time high of 26% over list, but by the end of the year that number fell sharply to 2%, where more than half of closings sold at or below asking. This was driven by two, intertwined forces: sellers were more likely to price closer to expected value, and there were fewer buyers competing for listings (which is often the case in December). But there were exceptions: In Q4 2022, 74% of homes that sold between $1M and $2M closed over asking, selling an average of 13% over list. Furthermore, Albany sales averaged 23% over list. The number of canceled listings increased significantly, up 55% in Q4 compared to the previous year. This was the highest percentage of cancellations since 2013. What's more, over a quarter of listings that came off the market in the second half of 2022 were canceled and did not sell, the highest since 2011. This metric was particularly high in Oakland (40%), Piedmont (39%) and Richmond (37%). The higher the price of the property, the faster it sold but the more likely the listing would be canceled. The upper end of the market reacted to the slowdown in different ways: Homes that sold $2M or higher in Q4 2022 had an average of 19 days on market, the lowest among all price ranges. However, 49% of properties listed $2M or higher did not sell and were canceled instead. This may be because the owners of those properties had a specific price in mind and preferred to wait for a better market in which to sell. While year-end metrics were not strong, we expect to see some bright spots in the first quarter of 2023. This is typically a time of low supply and high buyer demand, helping to deliver strong metrics to the few properties on the market. And if the rest of 2023 is similar to 2022, expect select properties to see strong competition, particularly those that are in high-demand areas, are move-in ready and are priced to attract buyers. For properties that don't fall into this category, buyers may find unique opportunities to purchase. View a complete report of 2022 data here and reach out if you'd like to discuss your plans.