SERVING OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1997

Our Programs

Impactful programs designed to support underserved children, youth, and families in Oakland / Alameda County, California.

STAY IN SCHOOL

EDUCATIONAL SUPPLY KITS

Since 1999, the Lend A Hand Foundation has provided educational school supply kits to students in several cities throughout Alameda County (including Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, San Leandro, and others), the McKinney Vento Program, and others as needed. These kits contain all of the essential school supplies such as notebooks, pencils, pens, erasers, and others that provide students with what they need to thrive in academic environments. After being hand-packed by us, these school supply kits are then transported directly to the schools to be received by students. In 2022, we provided over 25,000 students with the help of our amazing sponsors, donors, and volunteers. To date, we have contributed to our community over 150,000 educational school supply kits.

Here's what's included in our supply kits:

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Since 2021, the Lend A Hand Foundation (LAHF) has awarded $28,000 in memorial scholarships to students in the Peralta Community College District's Extended Opportunities Programs and Services (EOPS). EOPS supports students facing language, social, and economic challenges, including single parents, current and former foster youth (ages 16-26), and undocumented/DACA students.

Starting in the 2024-2025 academic year, the scholarship program will expand to include Laney College learning communities: Puente, Restoring Our Communities (ROC), and Umoja-UBAKA. Puente focuses on Latinx literature, ROC serves formerly incarcerated students, and Umoja-UBAKA aims to enhance success for African and African American students.

Overall, LAHF has provided over $75,000 in scholarships to high school seniors and is now extending support to junior college students. In February and March 2023, LAHF awarded $12,000 to eight students to help them pursue their educational goals. This program honors the legacy of past members and their families, fostering ongoing connections with scholarship recipients.

To donate to the Scholarship Program in honor of someone, please contact info@lendahandfoundation.org.

Youth Action Team / Workshops

The Youth Action Team (YAT) was designed by educators and other professionals to assist youth in reaching their fullest potential. This program intentionally takes every participant's experience and identity into account to create a community where all feel accepted, safe, empowered, supported, and affirmed. Participants in the program will engage in three focus areas: Lifeskills, Career, Leadership Training Workshops, and Community Service.

Workshops Topics Include: Financial Literacy, Emotional Intelligence, Oral Communication Skills, and more.

For more information about our upcoming workshops, please send an email to info@lendahandfoundation.org.

COMMUNITY CLOSETS

Lend A Hand also supports students and families through our Community Closets effort. Through the community closets, we are helping students stay in school, reducing absenteeism, and helping families eliminate food insecurities. We serve approximately 1,200 students on a regular basis, ensuring they feel more confident, equipped, and prepared for class. Sitting in a classroom hungry or lacking basic needs makes it difficult to focus or thrive academically. Our mission is to address those needs and support their success.

Family support

BASIC NEEDS

The Lend A Hand Foundation offers year-round support to families by addressing food insecurity, assisting with basic needs, and extending our help during inclement weather. Our program assists with emergency housing support and fulfills fundamental needs such as hygiene products, pantry staples, food, water, and clothing. Additionally, we serve as a referral resource to connect families with other local organizations for further assistance. Together, we strive to ensure comprehensive support and resources for those in need.

To donate toward this program, please visit our Donate page

JOY OF GIVING WINTER AND HOLIDAY SUPPORT

Our Joy of Giving Program is another long-time support to families during the winter holidays. In 2023 we celebrated our 24th year of providing this wonderful giving service to families in various cities throughout Alameda County. It begins with a Turkey Giveaway every November, just in time for Thanksgiving. In December, a special event is hosted for families in need to gather and receive gifts. Children (1-11) are provided with new coats, pajamas and toys. The teens receive gift cards, a warm clothing item, and school supplies. The parents receive warm clothing items, food gift cards, and more. This past holiday season of 2023, we supported over 400 families with the help of our sponsors, donors, and many volunteers during our Joy of Giving Holiday Celebration.

For information on this year's drive, please visit our 2024 25 Days of Giving Page.