UHURU FURNITURE & COLLECTIBLES: SOLD - Ash Dresser/Closet

Yadira Jauregui:
Volunteer of the Quarter

Yadira has volunteered with Uhuru Furniture & Collectibles from February - May 2014. She immediately made an impression on everyone she worked with. She started working on sales assistance and was friendly, helpful, the genuine article! Then she moved on to take pictures of the furniture, honing her photography skills, learning Photoshop and other computer skills to coordinate the blog postings. She took every task very seriously and brought everything to it. She even helped to develop the volunteer position for updating the blog and helped to train her replacement! Yadira is also a Psychology student and has worked as a nanny for 4 years. Her goal is to become a therapist. Everyone at Uhuru Furniture & Collectibles wishes her the best of luck in all she does! We appreciate everything you contributed as a volunteer, Yadira!

Disparities Faced by the African Community in Oakland, California

Profits raised by Uhuru Furniture & Collectibles goes to support the programs and institutions of the African People's Education and Defense Fund (APEDF). The mission of APEDF is to defend the civil and human rights of the African community and to address the grave disparities faced by the African community in the areas of health, healthcare, economic development and education.

What do we mean when we say "disparities"? Below are just a few of the statistics that expose the disparities faced by the African community here in the Bay Area.

• Sources: “Are schools taking on an impossible task?” by Alex Gronke, Oakbook — August 19, 2010, 12:25 p.m.

• “The Health of Alameda County Cities and Places: A report for the Hospital Council of Northern and Central California, 2010”

• Racial Disparities in Arrests Contributing to Education Crisis for Oakland Students of Color

August 28, 2013https://www.aclunc.org/blog/racial-disparities-arrests-contributing-education-crisis-oakland-students-color

• http://thepulseofoakland.com/

- A 2010 report said that by the time black students are in 11th grade, only 14 percent are proficient in reading and writing. That’s compared to 72 percent for white students. Oakland Unified’s racial achievement gap in English is one of the most pronounced in California.

- African people have the highest prevalence of obesity in Alameda County, at 2.4 times the rate among white people.

- African people in Alameda County have the lowest level of home ownership, with only 34% of households being owner occupied, as compared to 63% of white families living in owner occupied homes.

- Mortality rates are 1.5 times higher for African people than white people.

- In 2011-12, African people accounted for 32% of the enrollment in public schools, but experienced 63% of all suspensions and represented 70% of Oakland school police department arrestees.

- In Oakland, African youth are 24 times more likely to be arrested by the Oakland Police Department than white youth.

- An African-American born in West Oakland can expect to die almost 15 years earlier than a white person born in the Oakland Hills, according to the Alameda County Health Department. An African child born in the Castlemont area can expect to live 12 years less than a white child born in nearby Piedmont.

- Rates of asthma for African children in Alameda County are 2.5 times higher than the overall rate for the county and 6 times higher than in the white community.

- East Oakland has the highest rate of violent homicide and assault. Emergency room visits are six times higher in East Oakland than in Piedmont.

- Obesity rates in the African community are 5 to 6 times higher than in neighboring white communities.

- The income inequality gap in Oakland is the seventh worst in the nation among large cities, the Brookings Institution reports in a new research paper based on the latest U.S. Census data (via the LA Times). The inequality gap in Oakland ranges from $17,646 in average annual income for the lowest 20% of households to $223,965 for the highest 5%.

- 35% of African households in Oakland live on less than $20,000 per year

Our Volunteers Are Dedicated!

Uhuru Furniture & Collectibles has the BEST volunteers. They are generous, talented and skilled individuals who have other commitments in their lives but make the extra effort to make a difference by volunteering with UFC. Case in point: Malachi (pictured above) was assigned by his high school health class to take care of a fake baby for a certain length of time that happened to overlap his volunteering shift at Uhuru Furniture. Did Malachi call to cancel? No way! He showed up for his volunteer shift and went out on outreach with posters in one hand and his “baby” in the other! Now that’s dedication! Thanks to all our great volunteers!

Internship Opportunity - Business Relations Developer

People Person? A great internship opportunity available now with Uhuru Furniture! Work with our marketing team on new and existing relationships with business donors, database management, developing appreciation programs and creating promotional materials. Training is provided through Nov and Dec. Be part of the team that is driven by African self-determination. You will learn a lot about marketing and our nonprofit nature and gain valuable experience! Send your resume to oakland.promotions@uhurufurniture.org.

The Economic Crisis Isn't Colorblind

"As is true with so many aspects of American life, when it comes to the impact of the economic crisis, race matters. According to the Pew Research Center, the median wealth of white households has grown to 20 times that of black households and 18 times that of Hispanic households. The report noted the historic significance of such pronounced inequality, as the gap is the largest since such data collection started over a century ago."
Click on the pic to read this Huffington Post article from 9/7/12..

testimonials

"With a little perusing, this is a great place to find some decent quality, gently used furniture at a reasonable price. If you're lucky you might even be able to find some quality steals." -- Gary L.

"Used furniture and housewares in great condition arrive nearly everyday, and bargain hunters like myself buy the furniture like hot funnel cakes at a carnival!"
-- Vera D.

"The staff is super friendly and I love that their stock is constantly changing. Sometimes that sucks, though, because I'll see something great and then before I can make up my mind about it it's gone. Sigh."
-- Vandana M.

"Over the years my family has donated and shopped here. Some of the furnishing in my college apartment were selected from the hodge podge here. I really support the idea of recycling furniture."
-- Nikki C.

"Uhuru reflects the history of Oakland in many ways - from furnishing of local styles to continuity with the Black Panthers 'do for yourself' program. One of the coolest spots in the Bay Area." -- Bill C.

"It's wonderful. I'm volunteering at Uhuru Furniture and ever since I came in the store and found out what Uhuru stands for and how it helps the community I was totally shocked. I found out about the program and I think it's great that the store and Uhuru House are doing so well. Thanks for letting me be a part of your program." -- Kandi G.

"The spirit moves in this community of activists. Donate everything -- your time, your money, your furniture." -- Sally M.

"Be sure to buy a vegan blackberry pie at their annual holiday pie drive. It will be a spiritual experience!" --Alexis M.

"I especially like the way in which knowledgeable workers in the store put their heads together and decide on prices." -- Judith S.

"I have bought many furniture items at Uhuru. My group of friends and I visit the store almost every Friday afternoon before going to dinner."
-- Gabi B.

"We have procured some fine solid cherry wood pieces for bargain prices and are always on the lookout for more at this socially responsible establishment. We have also donated items we no longer wanted to bring it full circle." -- Tracy A.

"Way to recycle cool digs, Uhuru. Game on." -- Sam B.

"I can't see how you could not find something you need." -- Hallie R.

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Thursday, June 26, 2008

SOLD - Ash Dresser/Closet - $75