The Oakland Housing Authority (OHA) is committed to providing opportunities, venues and programs that allow motivated residents to develop their leadership skills and potential. Whether through volunteering at OHA and community events, serving in a leadership capacity in a local community group or board or by participating in a workshop series, the Family and Community Partnerships Department (FCP) works to provide residents with opportunities to participate, network and avail themselves of ideas and best practices for civic engagement and community involvement.
Civic Engagement Activities
Resident Advisory Board (RAB) - The OHA Resident Advisory Board (RAB) was created as a resident organization that represents the interests of residents at large and participates in the annual planning process. The first RAB was recruited, nominated and trained during the 1999-2000 fiscal year and since that time the RAB has met regularly and continues to provide valuable input to OHA's Annual Plan and HUD reports, as well as other issues that have impacted the agency over the years. The RAB is actively engaged in several projects, including its annual Halloween gift bag and senior emergency kit distribution for our public
housing and Asset Managed properties.
RAB meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month. Meetings are held in the Executive Conference Room at OHA's main administration
building at 1619 Harrison Street, Oakland, CA from 5:00PM-7:00PM. Refreshments are served at 5:00PM. The meeting is also facilitated on Zoom at:
Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 945 8905 9767
Passcode: 427882
To learn about RAB membership click to read more.
Volunteer Program- the Volunteer Program provides residents the opportunity to build community and promote civic involvement in the OHA community. The Volunteer Program is designed to provide support to community efforts, and build and foster positive relationships with community members. Volunteer activities may include:
- Event and Workshop Support
- Office Support
- Outreach and Relationship Building
Leadership Development Activities
Resident Leadership Program- provides residents the opportunity to build community and promote civic involvement within the OHA community and throughout the City of Oakland. The objective is to create safe forums where trust and respect can be fostered among community members to address the many concerns and challenges that residents face each day.
Education Ambassador Program - provides opportunities for residents to serve as leaders within the local school system. The participating parents serve at twelve partner schools, select throughout the district, that pilot our attendance improvement and parent involvement efforts. The Education Ambassadors work in partnership with OHA staff and the principals at partner school sites to identify tasks and projects that meaningfully contribute to the entire school community, with an emphasis on increasing attendance for those struggling with chronic absenteeism. Education Ambassadors are role models who exhibit “good neighbor” qualities in support of the full service community school model.
Resident Leadership Center- Available to OHA residents who have completed the Neighborhood Leadership Institute and to Resident Advisory Board Members, this innovative space provides our Resident Leaders a place and resource to work to create positive changes within the City of Oakland. Developed by and for our resident leaders who work on civic engagement activities, these leaders have access to state of the art facilities to conduct meetings or training, participate in workshops, access computers, and obtain office support for various projects in this professional office setting. Staffed by Resident Leaders, the center will also be a place that nurtures community empowerment and local initiatives to create an inclusive, healthy community for all.
To learn more or to get involved, please call (510) 587-5104 or email RLC@oakha.org.