Organization Mission

A community-building intermediary and direct service organization, OCCUR is dedicated to public policy, nonprofit capacity building, consumer education and information technology for the underserved community. OCCUR offers a broad range of community engagement and service programs to achieve a positive impact on low-income and emerging communities in the Oakland, East Bay region, and beyond.

OCCUR’s community technology programs are designed to improve computer literacy and target workforce development for low-income unemployed/underemployed residents. The primary focus is on providing a variety of entry points to the IT career ladder, and creating opportunities for people to develop and update technology skills, in order to move on to general employment and/or IT work/training opportunities.

COMMUNITY SERVED

OCCUR targets underserved communities in East, West and North Oakland, and the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Oakland has areas of concentrated poverty and a young population: 18.8% of Oakland residents are below the poverty level, and 56.6% are under age 24.

An estimated 180,000 people live in the ethnically diverse community (African-American, Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islanders) within walking distance of OCCUR’s pioneering Eastmont Computing Center in East Oakland. There are significantly large populations of youth, seniors, special needs, and single parents. Of the 50,000 youth in the area, 30% live in poverty, high school seniors have a 25% dropout rate and face a 30% unemployment rate.

These communities have the second lowest income levels and the highest crime rates in Alameda County. Youth victimization exceeds 200 crimes/1000 youth aged 10-17, in two local neighborhoods. Areas of East Oakland have been identified as Juvenile Crime Hotspots.

Challenges:

Youth needs are critical.The East Oakland communities have the largest population of children and youth in Alameda County, but relatively few services available to address their needs. Two thirds of young Eastmont Computing Center users do not own a computer and/or cannot easily access a computer.

Recruitment for demanding programs. The Eastmont Computing Center is becoming a socially acceptable place to hang out and learn, due to a non-restrictive, open-door policy. Recruitment is more difficult for programs that require eligibility, regular attendance, compliance with regulations, and/or performance against enrollment and placement objectives.

Career obstacles. Difficult-to-place clients may have inconsistent education and below-grade-level performance, “holes” in their skill sets, prison records, low literacy, housing and transportation difficulties.

Accomplishments

FOR TECHNOLOGY WORKFORCE PROGRAMS

Contributed

Accomplishments (Snapshots)