Oakland

FII began a demonstration project in Oakland in 2001 and ultimately enrolled 25 households (123 individuals) over two-and-a-half years. The four groups of families FII worked with consisted of two groups of African-American, one group of refugees from El Salvador, one group of Iu Mien refugees.
The Iu Mien refugees were from Laos and had lived in Oakland for over twenty years. These families are part of a community of up about 600 other families, most who belong to the same religious and mutual assistance association.

The Salvadoran refugees had lived in Oakland for ten to fifteen years. These families are part of a community of over 100 other families, many who emigrated from El Salvador and entered the United States with the help of Oakland Catholic Worker.

One of the African-American groups consisted primarily of families living in West Oakland. They share similar views of culture, health and lifestyle and are part of a network of 200-300 other families. The other African-American group came primarily from East Oakland. This group is part of five to ten other families, tied together mostly by family or friendships and shared experiences. They are the smallest of the communities engaged.

The Oakland families had goals around cultural preservation, community building, higher education, business development, homeownership, debt reduction, and credit repair. The Salvadoran and Iu Mien groups focused a lot on their children’s education because they saw investing in their kids as a way of assuring a secure future for the whole family.

Homeownership was an aspiration that at the beginning of the project seemed unrealistic to the group. However after one family managed to buy a home the others decided, “If Jorge and Maria Elena can buy a home, we can buy home.” And at the end of two years of enrollment every Salvadoran family owned a home.

Both African American groups focused on debt reduction and credit repair and developing self-employment opportunities. The group in West Oakland developed plans for a business cooperative— which included a neighborhood cultural district that would bring together their strengths and backgrounds in holistic healing, art, teaching, and community planning. This would provide economic opportunities for themselves as well as a service in the community.

Outcomes
Average household changes since enrollment, NOT including FII awards earned.

Income: +26%
Savings: +144%
Improved Grades: 27%
No. of New Homeowners: 9
No. of New Businesses: 22