Social Services Human Relations Board Meeting – Leadership Election and Work Plan Planning – July 20, 2026
Social Services Human Relations Board Meeting – Leadership Election and Work Plan Planning – July 20, 2026
The Social Services Human Relations Board met on July 20, 2026, to elect board leadership, reflect on past accomplishments, review a community needs survey, and set SMART goals for the upcoming year. The meeting included staff updates on the Dignity Village transformation and the launch of the Open Door Cafe.
Consent Calendar
- The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made during the meeting.
Discussion Items
- 4a – Board Leadership Election: After discussion, the board elected Gerald Bryant as President and Samantha Green as Vice President. The motion passed with all in favor (one abstention).
- 4b – Work Plan Planning with SMART Goals:
- The board reflected on accomplishments including a comprehensive volunteer list, overdose response training, community outreach for the Road Home plan, and the Volunteer of the Year award.
- Challenges identified included limited policy influence, the need to focus more on human relations, and difficulty reaching broader community segments.
- A community needs survey with 328 respondents (84% Alameda residents, 26% cost-burdened renters, 40% lower income below $87,500) was presented. The lowest-rated items were awareness of affordable housing options and ease of accessing services.
- Breakout groups developed goals in four areas: domestic violence awareness (quarterly task force, October campaign), community outreach (tabling at two local events per quarter, biannual presentations), belonging and connection (MLK volunteer day, National Night Out partnership), and an anti-hate initiative (quarterly listening sessions, hate incident reporting campaign).
- Staff Communications:
- Dignity Village RFP: The city is releasing a request for proposals to convert the interim shelter into permanent supportive housing or a hotel-based model due to expiring grants. Options include combining units with kitchenettes or securing an extended-stay site. The city council will ultimately decide.
- Staff promotion: Yasmin Obidi was promoted to full-time Administrative Technician II.
- Open Door Cafe: A new weekly program at the main library provides unhoused residents with meals, resources, and social connections.
- Board Communications:
- Member Gerald Bryant reported on the ongoing struggle of Dr. Acker’s Montessori school to find a new location, expressing disappointment at failed negotiations.
- Member Samantha Green shared her experience participating in a ride-along with Alameda County Healthcare for the Homeless outreach team, highlighting the importance of trust and persistence.
Key Outcomes
- Elected leadership: Gerald Bryant as President, Samantha Green as Vice President.
- Work Plan Goals: The board will finalize SMART goals based on breakout group discussions, focusing on domestic violence awareness, community outreach, belonging initiatives, and anti-hate actions.
- Next Steps: The board will continue refining the work plan and align activities with the community survey findings. Staff will provide further details on the Dignity Village RFP and upcoming events.
Meeting Transcript
Oh, we're gonna be passing this around. It's gonna be funky. Can you hear me? Can you hear me? Talking, but we can't hear. All right. Sounds good. Okay. My name's Samantha Green, Vice President of the Social Services Human Relations Board, and I'll be serving as acting president for this meeting. This meeting is being recorded. The chat function has been turned off. If members of the public would like to comment on an item, there are multiple ways to do so. If attending via Zoom, digitally raise your hand, and Secretary Manaeon will announce when it's your turn. You will then have the option to unmute yourself and proceed with your public comment. Email your public comment to Secretary Manion at G M A N N A H A Y O N at Alameda C A.gov before or during the meeting with your name, the agenda item number you're referencing, and your comment. Comments submitted during the meeting before the conclusion of the public comment section will be read into the record. Her email address is also on the meeting's agenda. If you're calling in by phone, please email Mrs. Manayon as we cannot see you raise your hand. You can also dial star nine to raise your hand, and we will call on you. To provide a public comment in person, please complete a public comment slip with your name and the agenda item number you are speaking on. You'll be called up when it is your turn. Public comments will be limited to three minutes. The public has two, though maybe more opportunities for public comments. First, under agenda item two, public comments. Comments from the audience may address matters not on the agenda, but must deal with matters subject to the jurisdiction of the Social Services Human Relations Board. Second, under the agenda item, there will be an opportunity for public comment on a specific item. Each item follows a format similar to city council meetings. After a presentation, we'll ask if there are any clarifying questions from the Social Services Human Relations Board's members of or staff. Then we will ask if there are any public comments on this agenda item. After public comment, we open the item up to board discussion and a vote if recommended. Speaking in public can be nerve-wracking, and we want this to always feel like a safe, welcoming space where every voice can be heard. So that we can protect that space for everyone. California law gives us a few gentle tools to help keep things on track if the meeting is disrupted, starting with a friendly reminder. We don't expect to need them tonight, and we're grateful to share this evening with all of you. We'll start with Chantel Carter. Bernie Wolf, Gerald Bryant, Michelle Buckholz. On her way, and Samantha Green here. From the Housing and Human Services Division, we have Simone Falls joining us online, Gracia Manayon, program manager, and Shelby Neal, administrative specialist. The city welcomes speakers providing public comment, but please be advised this is a limited public forum. Comments from the audience may concern matters either on or not on the agenda, but must deal with matters subject to the jurisdiction of the Social Services Human Relations Board. Comments will be limited to three minutes. Comments concerning matters on this evening's agenda will be heard when that item is called. Thank you. All right, so then we move on to item three, the minutes. All right, motion to approve. Can we do we have enough folks to just do I? Because we're here in the room. Sorry. Can we just do a just a everyone in I or just okay?
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