Community Resources
Berkeley Mutual Aid Network is organized by a small group of volunteers to help neighbors connect with one another so no one has to face this crisis alone. We are not part of the City of Berkeley government. The resources listed below provide a starting point to connect people with safety net services, basic needs, and ways to help. They are not meant to be a comprehensive guide or a substitute for medical care.
Most of our volunteers and recipients are in Berkeley, but we have made matches in other nearby East Bay cities. Please see the Other Local Mutual Aid Groups section to see if your city has an existing mutual aid group. If not, please feel free to reach out using the forms below.
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City of Berkeley Information + LinksCity of Berkeley Coronavirus Information Berkeley Shelter-at-Home FAQ Mayor Arreguin’s COVID-19 Resource Guide State of CA links, health updates, and financial information--central clearinghouse Berkeleyside information on COVID-19
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Other Local Mutual Aid GroupsOakland At Risk works with healthy adults under 60 whose risk factors are low and are willing to be paired with someone with high risk factors. Once a match is made, buddies can coordinate delivery of essential supplies such as food and prescriptions and you can create a check in schedule by phone or other electronic method. They also work with Piedmont, San Leandro, and Alameda residents. Hayward Helping Hands is providing assistance to Hayward residents and building a mutual aid network. See their site for ways to request help or volunteer. Friends of Adeline is a long-running neighborhood group in South Berkeley that is building a mutual aid network. Sign-up using their form here. Disability Justice Culture Club is providing assistance to disabled persons in the East Bay. Sign up using their form here.
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Financial HelpBerkeley city COVID-19 housing retention grants: grants for Berkeley residents who are at risk of losing housing How to File For Unemployment in CA During the Coronavirus Pandemic How to File an Unemployment Claim: Article from KQED State Unemployment, Disability, and Family Leave Resources and Filing Info Emergency Relief Fund from City of Berkeley Support for arts nonprofits, small businesses and residential tenants Grants for Bar Backs, Cocktail Servers, and Restaurant Workers USBG National Charity Foundation Resources for Artists and Creatives (META LIST): The Creator Fund: Convertkit has established a $50K fund to help creators in need. [Check for application deadline] COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources Berkeley Mutual Aid COVID-19 Fund: a private Go Fund Me. Small amounts available for emergency assistance to local Berkeley residents hardest hit by COVID-19. Alameda County Social Services Season of Sharing (SOS): One-time crisis financial support for Alameda county residents. Pre-screening line: (510) 272-3700
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Legal AdviceThe Disaster Legal Assistance Collaborative, (DLAC), is a group of organizations and law firms in Northern California working together to offer free legal services to communities after a natural disaster. Survivors of disasters such as wildfires face a wide range of legal and financial needs from insurance claim assistance to requests for government programs such as FEMA assistance. Their website, disasterlegalservicesca.org, has free legal resources related to COVID-19 and wildfires. If you have been affected by COVID-19 or any of the past wildfires in Northern California, head to the “Disasters” tab to find resources for COVID or a specific wildfire. For any questions, feel free to contact alexa@acbanet.org. Links: https://disasterlegalservicesca.org
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Food AssistanceAlameda County Food Bank: (510) 635-3663 (Emergency Food Helpline); (888) 999-4772 (Refer someone); (877) 847-3663 (help with CalFresh application) Berkeley Unified School District Food Resources (Pick up Locations and Schedules) Free breakfast and lunch take away meals for school age children 18 and younger. Berkeley Food Network: On-site pantry, 1925 Ninth St., Berkeley The Berkeley Food Network pantry will remain open to Berkeley and Albany residents. Staff and volunteers have adopted recommended practices to safeguard their health and safety. You can also call 510.616.5383 for updated hours information. Operational Hours Monday – Thursday – 10 am to 2 pm Monday & Wednesday – 5 pm to 7 pm 1st & 3rd Saturdays – 10 am to 12 pm noon Check website for updated hours/info. Berkeley Food Pantry, 1600 Sacramento St., Berkeley Check website for updated hours/info. CalFresh: Confirm your eligibility for CalFresh, which is California's food stamps (SNAP) program. Apply to receive up to $192 a month per household member on an EBT card. Help Berkeley. Get two meals from Berkeley restaurants for $10, delivered for free by volunteers. Meals on Wheels: Meal delivery for low income seniors over 60. (510) 981-5250 Emergency Meals and Groceries: LIST of programs offering food by day. 2020 Summer Meal Service Sites (for children)
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Mental HealthBerkeley City and County Mental Health Triage: (510) 981-5244 (M-F 11:30-4:00pm) for crisis intervention (for mental health and homeless individuals), referrals, and screening for treatment for individuals, their families and community members. They can determine if you or someone you know qualifies for Berkeley Mental Health programs and can provide help applying to Medi-Cal, Medicare or Medicaid. Berkeley Homeless Outreach Treatment Team (HOTT): (510) 981-5273 for outreach, support, and referrals to programs for individuals that are housing insecure. Anyone can refer by calling. Alameda County 24 Hour Crisis Phone: (800) 309-2131 (2/47) Crisis Support Services of Alameda County is available 24/7 at 1-800-309-2131.Callers do not have to be experiencing suicidal thoughts or feelings to call. SF Suicide Prevention Crisis Line is available 24/7 at 415-781-0500. California Peer-Run Warm Line is available to provide emotional support 24/7 at 855-845-7415. Mental Health Resources (LIST) COVID-19, Mental Health, Self-Care (Dean Spade).
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Domestic Violence + Sexual Assault HelpIf you are concerned about being quarantined in an unsafe home situation or need help, all DV shelter resources are generally available on: domesticshelters.org The National Domestic Violence Hotline is also available 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3223 (TTY) The National Sexual Assault Hotline is 24/7, confidential and free: 800.656.HOPE (4673) and through chat. The StrongHearts Native Helpline for domestic/sexual violence is available 7am-10pm CT, confidential, and specifically for Native communities: 1−844-762-8483. The Trans LifeLine for peer support for trans folks 9am-3am CT: 1-877-565-8860 This hotline is staffed exclusively by trans operators is the only crisis line with a policy against non-consensual active rescue. Community United Against Violence (CUAV) is providing remote counseling available for LGBTQI+ survivors of violence, domestic violence, hate violence and police violence. Bay Area Women Against Rape: 24 hours Hotline: (510) 845-7273 Mutual Aid & Restorative Justice is a support network with a focus on those impacted by violence and trauma, crime survivors, formerly incarcerated people, and those with incarcerated loved ones. They offer weekly online check-in circles, support for those experiencing harm in the moment, local grocery drop offs in the Bay Area, and, when possible, modest financial assistance to those in need.
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Parenting ResourcesNational Parent Helpline Monday - Friday 12pm-9am CT emotional support and advocacy for parents: 1-855-4A.PARENT (1-855-427-2736). Coronavirus Resources for Parents and Caregivers: Lots of links with parenting recommendations during COVID-19 Facebook Parenting Support Group Resources for Parents and Caregivers (LIST): many educational but others parenting related Guide for Working from Home with Kids: lots of enrichment activities 2020 Summer Meal Service Sites (for children)
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Educational/Distance Learning ResourcesBerkeley Unified School District Resources Berkeley Public Library PBS at home Learning Resources: Free, educational PBS daytime programming designated for each grade level Free Online Math Program: MIND Research Institute is offering no cost access to a free math instructional program for students in grades K-8 Berkeley Parents Network (LIST) Ivy League Classes from Class Central: Free TedEd Free Online Classes for All Ages Spectrum Broadband and Wi-Fi: 60 Days FREE service for new K-12 and College Student Households
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