West Oakland Celebrates Grand Opening of Lincoln – Mandela Family Resource Center

OAKLAND, CA, Sept. 11, 2019—BRIDGE Housing was honored to join Lincoln and the West Oakland community in celebrating the grand opening of the Lincoln – Mandela Family Resource Center today at 1340 7th Street.

Located in commercial space developed and owned by BRIDGE, Lincoln’s new center is a community hub for family services and safety-net resources that support children’s school readiness, literacy, workforce development, early childhood care and technology access.

The space is part of Mandela Gateway, across from the West Oakland BART Station, where in 2005 nonprofit BRIDGE replaced deteriorated public housing with 168 new affordable rental apartments and more than 20,000 square feet for community-serving retail.

“This is an exciting time for Lincoln and West Oakland,” said Allison Staulcup Becwar, President, and CEO of Lincoln. “We’ve seen the power of Family Resource Centers for creating community and change and generating sustainable support networks for families at Lincoln’s school-based center in East Oakland. Now West Oakland families will have their own space to drop in and break bread, discuss concerns and share successes, and get supports that enhance their lives.”

“Congratulations to Lincoln on the beautiful new Family Resource Center,” said Cynthia Parker, President and CEO of BRIDGE Housing. “We’re proud to work with Lincoln to support the West Oakland community with affordable housing and holistic services that will help families thrive.”

In additional collaboration, Lincoln is providing services to residents of three BRIDGE properties in West Oakland: Ironhorse at Central Station, Mandela Gateway Apartments and Chestnut Linden Court. These include activities such as winter or summer camps for children and youth as well as programs that build family capacity and community leadership skills.

For more information, visit www.lincolnfamilies.org and www.bridgehousing.com.

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About Lincoln
Since its founding in 1883 as the first racially integrated orphanage in Northern California, Lincoln has impacted the lives of children and families through evolving programs. Today, Lincoln provides preventative, individualized and comprehensive support services with a focus on three core areas that disrupt cycles of poverty and trauma:
• Education: Improving educational engagement, attendance, literacy, and achievement
• Family: Strengthening stability and creating permanency
• Well-Being: Building positive youth outlook and future readiness
For more information and stories, visit LincolnFamilies.org.

About BRIDGE Housing
BRIDGE Housing strengthens communities and improves the lives of its residents, beginning–but not ending–with affordable housing. Since 1983, BRIDGE has participated in the development of more than 17,000 homes and apartments in California, Oregon and Washington. BRIDGE partners to bring a growing slate of educational, health and wellness programs to residents, with more than 350 programs and services offered today. For more information, visit www.bridgehousing.com.

BRIDGE Housing