S.-2 21-1488A Approval by the Board of Education of Professional Services Agreement 2021-2025 - No Cost by and between the District and OK Program of Oakland, Oakland, CA, for the latter to provide a mentoring and leadership development program that focuses on African American males, 12 to 18 years old, as described in Exhibit A, incorporated herein by reference as though fully set forth, via the Community Schools and Student Services Department, for the period of September 1, 2021 through August 31, 2022, at no cost to the District.
Before people make blanket statements on this program, based on their personal opinions on the police, I implore them to meet the fine offices that are running this program. These individuals who I personally know, are the community. They are stand up individuals, who are actually trying to implement change at the level it's required. This program is fantastic, and supports a lot of individuals who really do require strong role models in the community. And the members of the oakland PD who are involved in the OK program are exactly that. Removal of funding for this program would be an absolute atrocity, and a further step into the wokeness that is blinding society and actually impeding change in any beneficial way.
I have two African-American boys who attend the OK program and have had a 360° turn around. The OK program is a wonderful program that needs to stay in the OUSD system it is very supportive. And a young me in the p.m. and it.
Why does support for Black boys -- again, Black boys and ONLY Black boys -- necessitate a relation to the police? Why is it that people are saying that Black boys will either have police mentors OR commit the crimes alluded to in this meeting (e.g. commit homicide, harm others and themselves)? Is this really the dichotomy? I prefer not to assume that Black boys are bad at their core.
Sounds like an amazing program- and it’s too bad that it sounds like those who “think” they are fighting for the public good continue to hurt the people they say they are fighting for.
Sounds like a vote to continue to OK program is the correct and logical vote! Be smart vote yes
Sounds like an amazing program- and it’s too bad that it sounds like those who “think” they are fighting for the public good continue to hurt the people they say they are fighting for.
Sounds like a vote to continue to OK program is the correct and logical vote! Be smart vote yes
We want mentors that don't represent institutions that oppress people. OUSD made a commitment to being police free. I want to be clear that the real issue here is about the board upholding the GFR and keeping its commitment to police free schools through providing violence prevention, violence intervention, transformative justice programs, restorative justice programs, and appropriate mentorship. These things need financial resources to make them real! Where are they at?
This is about turning our schools into safe police free sanctuaries for Black People. BLACK SANCTUARY is police free. This is about uprooting the manifestations of the police state in our schools. Police aren't mentors.
We are talking about one program when the school sites are in desperate need of violence prevention, violence intervention, transformative justice programs, restorative justice programs and partnerships with community based organizations. So where are the financial resources for those things?
Please leave program alone youngsters in need of support in and around neighborhood. Program is all that some has as a male as well as positive adulthood features in their lives and neighborhood... Leave program Alone...
I feel that the ok program is a good orogram it help my son stay out of jail and taught ethnics about life. His whole personality change he was full of anger and could not destroyingbthings he is no longer shy and destructive he is getting for college. He enjoy being with a structure like the okay program it has many opportunities for him. He is mentoring young and older boys about drugs and volient in the neighborhood he is achange child please olease dont take away this program l recommend this oroogram for boys and girls if races even babies. Please please please dont take it away l have seen many childrens change for the better Bishop Bob Jackson and the police are doing awesome job with this childrens l reccommend the ok program all over the world. Please keep this in oakland and maybe san grsncisco next. Sharon Tucker Radiologist Assistant. CPMC
To whom it may concern:
I am writing this letter to advocate on behalf of the OK program and their outstanding mentorship to the young males of Oakland and their surrounding communities. As we know youth mentoring and leadership has the ability to substantially change the trajectory of one’s life toward a positive outcome. Given the demographics and the first hand experience of the Oakland police and the communities they serve, they have firsthand knowledge in what is needed to ensure the success of those young men, by providing the support, services and reassurance needed to help make the lives better of everyone within the community by helping the sons of that community. I believe in the power of supporting one another, and showing someone that opportunities and goals are achievable. The OK program provides a platform and pathway for progress, instead of prison- that’s the goal. The program deserves unanimous support
My name is Ayodele Mims and I am the Athletic Director at Oakland Military Institute. I have supported the OK Program since I was introduced to it in 2014. The officers love on the young men and provide a respite from the unforgiving environments many of them reside. The OK program is a special part of the Oakland Community , doing a job that only they can do . This job is familiarizing young black men with law enforcement in a positive light. Also teaching them compassion, along with the do’s and don’ts that accompany adolescence before full brain development. OK Program has my full support and It would be an injustice to see them disbanded .
I was shocked to learn of this valuable program being taken away from our youth seemingly needlessly. In an time when our kids are already at a loss and in need of positive programs and outlets, this is truly a blow to the growth and development of our youth. I hope the board takes a pause and truly reconsiders this decision after having done a deep dive into understanding what’s really at risk and being lost; especially with nothing to fill the void that’s being created.
Hello, my name is Fermin Thomas. I began volunteering with the OK Program a number of years ago. It was and is still a positive Program for our challenged youth. Many boys don't have positive role models in their lives. This gives them something to do and look forward to. Please don't take this away from them. I can not be there today because I work out of town. Thank you.
A lot of times when we are writing statements will try to look for the right words to say. This is a program that is built on action not words. I worked at Frick middle school and seen this program to grow each year and how it has touched so many lives of the community the staff or more importantly our African-American boy. I am truly devastated that this was even an option to be voted on. Remember I said this is a program that is built on action. I say families restored, students GPA rise, attend it rise, feeding the family and most of all giving students opportunities that they will never even have. Can you believe they were able to see Barack Obama that was it. But their last venture was A true bonding session of young men coming together under one roof celebrating life and victory. please consider Putting this back on the table and approving this program. Thank you
My name is Isaiah Zeno and I Support the OK program, I’ve been in the program for a few years now and have gained nothing but knowledge from it. When I first came in i was like every other kid, just wanting to eat and play basketball but as I got older I saw that Officer Smith and O.W messages were bigger and deeper than what I heard and now as a alumni of the OK program I can come back and explain my journey through the program and the great things it did for me and the positions it put me in to the youth and show them that anything is possible and can be done with the right support group.
It was a travesty that this was not approved at the last school board meeting and I am happy that it is being given a more thorough second look. The OK Program has been a critical support for our black boys and their families. I have volunteered with this program for over three years and I have seen how it has transformed these boys lives and kept so many of them out of danger, trouble and elevated them to greater achievements. Without this program I fear we would lose so many of these young men and I don't know another program that could fill the gap left by it's absence. OK has the trust of the students and families because they are always there for them and they know they can depend on the officers in the OK Program to show up and find a way to supply the need they have. This is often who they reach out to first. I understand the opposition to having officers in our schools, but if you can't use nuance to evaluate this program then you are not doing what you were elected to do.
I am an 8th grader at Frick and I support the OK Program and I want it to be at Frick this year because I gain a lot from the OK Program. It helped me with my classwork and homework and on Saturdays we had discussions and talks on reality and we learned how to do better outside and inside of school. I went to summer camp and we talked and learned how to act when we were with police officers, family stuff and how to communicate at school with teachers. It was like boot camp but it felt good like I was part of something - like family. I would go to Saturday Kick-it sessions and talked about community and family and life. I learned about real life and how life isn't fair and how I can still succeed. Officer Smith was on campus helping us out and made the school feel safer.
My son belongs to the OK program this program is needed as our children have always disproportionately been disadvantaged with any programs including the educational system...Therefore black boys are being pushed out and what happens to our children without this program? I'm pleased to say that the outstanding love and support from Mr Weatherly my son's mentor has continued to create development and determination for my son to be a better person as he continues to strengthen and grow.
As a native Oaklander, former student, and former employee of the OUSD, I strongly support the OK program. I began working with the program in 2013 at Castlemont High School and remain a volunteer and financial supporter til this day. I’ve taught classes on my off days, chaperoned trips to various parts of the state, participated in overnight lock-in activities, and most importantly watched young boys build trusting relationships with black men in law enforcement that look like them.
The fruits of ‘Our Kids’ is a generation of young men that are returning to their communities educated and equipped to foster change and sustain leadership in these dire areas. I personally still communicate with several former OK students who testify daily that they would not be alive or free if they hadn’t been part of the program. Officer Smith has gone above and beyond the call of duty and should be commended for his dedication.
The OUSD school board should be embarrassed that it’s come to this.
Before people make blanket statements on this program, based on their personal opinions on the police, I implore them to meet the fine offices that are running this program. These individuals who I personally know, are the community. They are stand up individuals, who are actually trying to implement change at the level it's required. This program is fantastic, and supports a lot of individuals who really do require strong role models in the community. And the members of the oakland PD who are involved in the OK program are exactly that. Removal of funding for this program would be an absolute atrocity, and a further step into the wokeness that is blinding society and actually impeding change in any beneficial way.
I have two African-American boys who attend the OK program and have had a 360° turn around. The OK program is a wonderful program that needs to stay in the OUSD system it is very supportive. And a young me in the p.m. and it.
Why does support for Black boys -- again, Black boys and ONLY Black boys -- necessitate a relation to the police? Why is it that people are saying that Black boys will either have police mentors OR commit the crimes alluded to in this meeting (e.g. commit homicide, harm others and themselves)? Is this really the dichotomy? I prefer not to assume that Black boys are bad at their core.
Sounds like an amazing program- and it’s too bad that it sounds like those who “think” they are fighting for the public good continue to hurt the people they say they are fighting for.
Sounds like a vote to continue to OK program is the correct and logical vote! Be smart vote yes
Sounds like an amazing program- and it’s too bad that it sounds like those who “think” they are fighting for the public good continue to hurt the people they say they are fighting for.
Sounds like a vote to continue to OK program is the correct and logical vote! Be smart vote yes
We want mentors that don't represent institutions that oppress people. OUSD made a commitment to being police free. I want to be clear that the real issue here is about the board upholding the GFR and keeping its commitment to police free schools through providing violence prevention, violence intervention, transformative justice programs, restorative justice programs, and appropriate mentorship. These things need financial resources to make them real! Where are they at?
This is about turning our schools into safe police free sanctuaries for Black People. BLACK SANCTUARY is police free. This is about uprooting the manifestations of the police state in our schools. Police aren't mentors.
We are talking about one program when the school sites are in desperate need of violence prevention, violence intervention, transformative justice programs, restorative justice programs and partnerships with community based organizations. So where are the financial resources for those things?
Please leave program alone youngsters in need of support in and around neighborhood. Program is all that some has as a male as well as positive adulthood features in their lives and neighborhood... Leave program Alone...
I feel that the ok program is a good orogram it help my son stay out of jail and taught ethnics about life. His whole personality change he was full of anger and could not destroyingbthings he is no longer shy and destructive he is getting for college. He enjoy being with a structure like the okay program it has many opportunities for him. He is mentoring young and older boys about drugs and volient in the neighborhood he is achange child please olease dont take away this program l recommend this oroogram for boys and girls if races even babies. Please please please dont take it away l have seen many childrens change for the better Bishop Bob Jackson and the police are doing awesome job with this childrens l reccommend the ok program all over the world. Please keep this in oakland and maybe san grsncisco next. Sharon Tucker Radiologist Assistant. CPMC
To whom it may concern:
I am writing this letter to advocate on behalf of the OK program and their outstanding mentorship to the young males of Oakland and their surrounding communities. As we know youth mentoring and leadership has the ability to substantially change the trajectory of one’s life toward a positive outcome. Given the demographics and the first hand experience of the Oakland police and the communities they serve, they have firsthand knowledge in what is needed to ensure the success of those young men, by providing the support, services and reassurance needed to help make the lives better of everyone within the community by helping the sons of that community. I believe in the power of supporting one another, and showing someone that opportunities and goals are achievable. The OK program provides a platform and pathway for progress, instead of prison- that’s the goal. The program deserves unanimous support
Kind Regards With Sincerity,
Avia A. Goddard
FUSION Enrichment
My name is Ayodele Mims and I am the Athletic Director at Oakland Military Institute. I have supported the OK Program since I was introduced to it in 2014. The officers love on the young men and provide a respite from the unforgiving environments many of them reside. The OK program is a special part of the Oakland Community , doing a job that only they can do . This job is familiarizing young black men with law enforcement in a positive light. Also teaching them compassion, along with the do’s and don’ts that accompany adolescence before full brain development. OK Program has my full support and It would be an injustice to see them disbanded .
I was shocked to learn of this valuable program being taken away from our youth seemingly needlessly. In an time when our kids are already at a loss and in need of positive programs and outlets, this is truly a blow to the growth and development of our youth. I hope the board takes a pause and truly reconsiders this decision after having done a deep dive into understanding what’s really at risk and being lost; especially with nothing to fill the void that’s being created.
OK has helped many kids in Oakland
Hello, my name is Fermin Thomas. I began volunteering with the OK Program a number of years ago. It was and is still a positive Program for our challenged youth. Many boys don't have positive role models in their lives. This gives them something to do and look forward to. Please don't take this away from them. I can not be there today because I work out of town. Thank you.
A lot of times when we are writing statements will try to look for the right words to say. This is a program that is built on action not words. I worked at Frick middle school and seen this program to grow each year and how it has touched so many lives of the community the staff or more importantly our African-American boy. I am truly devastated that this was even an option to be voted on. Remember I said this is a program that is built on action. I say families restored, students GPA rise, attend it rise, feeding the family and most of all giving students opportunities that they will never even have. Can you believe they were able to see Barack Obama that was it. But their last venture was A true bonding session of young men coming together under one roof celebrating life and victory. please consider Putting this back on the table and approving this program. Thank you
My name is Isaiah Zeno and I Support the OK program, I’ve been in the program for a few years now and have gained nothing but knowledge from it. When I first came in i was like every other kid, just wanting to eat and play basketball but as I got older I saw that Officer Smith and O.W messages were bigger and deeper than what I heard and now as a alumni of the OK program I can come back and explain my journey through the program and the great things it did for me and the positions it put me in to the youth and show them that anything is possible and can be done with the right support group.
It was a travesty that this was not approved at the last school board meeting and I am happy that it is being given a more thorough second look. The OK Program has been a critical support for our black boys and their families. I have volunteered with this program for over three years and I have seen how it has transformed these boys lives and kept so many of them out of danger, trouble and elevated them to greater achievements. Without this program I fear we would lose so many of these young men and I don't know another program that could fill the gap left by it's absence. OK has the trust of the students and families because they are always there for them and they know they can depend on the officers in the OK Program to show up and find a way to supply the need they have. This is often who they reach out to first. I understand the opposition to having officers in our schools, but if you can't use nuance to evaluate this program then you are not doing what you were elected to do.
I am an 8th grader at Frick and I support the OK Program and I want it to be at Frick this year because I gain a lot from the OK Program. It helped me with my classwork and homework and on Saturdays we had discussions and talks on reality and we learned how to do better outside and inside of school. I went to summer camp and we talked and learned how to act when we were with police officers, family stuff and how to communicate at school with teachers. It was like boot camp but it felt good like I was part of something - like family. I would go to Saturday Kick-it sessions and talked about community and family and life. I learned about real life and how life isn't fair and how I can still succeed. Officer Smith was on campus helping us out and made the school feel safer.
My son belongs to the OK program this program is needed as our children have always disproportionately been disadvantaged with any programs including the educational system...Therefore black boys are being pushed out and what happens to our children without this program? I'm pleased to say that the outstanding love and support from Mr Weatherly my son's mentor has continued to create development and determination for my son to be a better person as he continues to strengthen and grow.
As a native Oaklander, former student, and former employee of the OUSD, I strongly support the OK program. I began working with the program in 2013 at Castlemont High School and remain a volunteer and financial supporter til this day. I’ve taught classes on my off days, chaperoned trips to various parts of the state, participated in overnight lock-in activities, and most importantly watched young boys build trusting relationships with black men in law enforcement that look like them.
The fruits of ‘Our Kids’ is a generation of young men that are returning to their communities educated and equipped to foster change and sustain leadership in these dire areas. I personally still communicate with several former OK students who testify daily that they would not be alive or free if they hadn’t been part of the program. Officer Smith has gone above and beyond the call of duty and should be commended for his dedication.
The OUSD school board should be embarrassed that it’s come to this.