Resources for Families
Internet Access
Food Access
Clothing Access
Substance Use and Addition Recovery Resources
- Oakland Unified School District WiFi Map: A map of locations in Oakland where OUSD provided technology will automatically connect
- Everyone On: Search by zip code for free and low cost internet providers servicing your student's area.
- Xfinity: Xfinity is opening all of their WiFi hotspots to the public. Use the link to find the nearest hotspot and directions for accessing.
- Comcast: Comcast is offering 60 days of free internet to qualifying families through Internet Essentials. Data Plans will be provided with unlimited data and no disconnects or late fees for 60 days.
- Sonic Internet: Sonic is offering three months of free internet access to new households with K-12 and college students or adults 60 and older.
- Spectrum Internet: Spectrum is offering two months of free internet access to new households with K-12 and college students or teachers.
- Cell Phone & Other Providers: Berkeley Unified School District's overview of COVID-19 responses from AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon.
- Allconnect: qualifying households can be provided with a $50 credit on their internet bill each month.
Food Access
- Free Breakfast & Lunch Programs: School Districts are providing free meals to all children 18 and under. Please visit your student's local School District website for location and hours of distribution.
- Alameda County: School site distribution centers and food bank listings.
- Contra Costa Country: Food Distribution Search Engine for Contra Costa County.
- San Francisco County: Community food distribution centers.
- San Francisco Unified School District: School sites are distributing several days worth of meal per student twice per week.
- West Contra Costa Unified School District: There are 17 school site and community food distribution centers.
- Baskit: A pay-what-you-can produce service (currently) serving the San Francisco Bay Area.
Clothing Access
- St. Anthony's Free Clothing: St. Anthony's is currently operating a clothing distribution service for individuals with immediate needs. This service is available every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:00am — Noon. Guests are serviced on the sidewalk in front of 150 Golden Gate Avenue.
- Wardrobe for Opportunity: Wardrobe for Opportunity works in partnership with the community to assist low-income individuals in their efforts to Find a Job, Keep a Job, and Build a Career. Services include providing personalized professional attire to those in need.
- Bay Area Women's & Children's Center: BAWCC has had one of the largest Free Clothing Closets for women and children in San Francisco. In addition to giving out women and children’s clothing, they give out smaller household items such as bedding, kitchen items, books, and even small pieces of furniture.
- Dress for Success: Dress for success helps women to obtain free clothing and confidence for job interviews and further attire to enter the workforce.
Substance Use and Addition Recovery Resources
- Southeast Addiction Center: This guide offers a list of the top 50 resources to support Black Men who are struggling with addiction or mental illness.
- Live Another Day - Live Another Day believes in equal access to life-saving mental health and substance use resources. This website provides extensive information on the best resources available.
- Detox Local - An excellent resource that features abundant information including mental health and substance use resources specifically for the AAPI (American Asian and Pacific Islander) community.
- Relaxation Tools
- Panic attacks:
- A panic attack occurs when the body experiences a sudden surge of adrenaline out of proportion to any perceived danger or threat. During a panic attack, the fear center of the brain reacts with a high-stress response when exposed to an unfamiliar situation or after facing a stressful life event.
- Symptoms of a panic attack include a racing heart, sweating, difficulty catching breath, and a feeling of impending death or doom.
- Breathing Techniques:
- 4-7-8 Breathing: Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold the breath for 7 seconds, and exhale for 8 seconds.
- TIPPs Skills for Bringing Down Intense Emotions:
- TIPPs stands for Temperature, Intense Exercise, Paced Breathing, and Paired Muscle Relaxation.
- Here is an overview of how you can use each of the skills to disrupt a panic attack
- Muscle relaxation:
- This technique involves tensing and untensing various muscle groups. This lowers overall tension and stress levels that can contribute to panic attacks. Start with the feet and work up to your forehead.
- Tighten the muscle while taking a deep breath in, hold for a few seconds and then release the tension while breathing out. Move up the body, one muscle group at a time.
- Grounding Techniques:
- In order to help focus on what's around you: name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.
- Panic attacks:
- Referral Services and Crisis Support
- Crisis Response Information and Referral for Alameda County:
- 1-800-491-9099
- Alameda County Crisis Support Services:
- 1-800-309-2131
- Trained volunteers available 24 hours per day
- National Suicide Lifeline:
- 1-800-273-8255
- Available 24 hours per day
- Contra Costa Crisis Center Suicide Hotline
- 800-833-2900
- San Fransisco Suicide Prevention
- Crisis Call Line: 415-781-0500 or 1-800-273-8255
- Crisis Text Line: 24/7 Confidential Support, Text MYLIFE to 741741
- La Clinica de la Raza Casa del Soul
- Culturally specific ACCESS line (Latinx)
- 510-535-6200
- OUSD is partnered with Care Solace to provide mental health and substance abuse support to all families.
- Call 888-515-0595, or search on your own at caresolace.com/oakland, to be connected to community providers matched to your needs.
- Crisis Response Information and Referral for Alameda County:
- Free or Low Cost Mental Health Care Providers