ICAC Attends Barbara Lee Clergy Breakfast to Tackle Oakland’s Challenges

The Interfaith Council of Alameda County (ICAC) helped to organize the Ecumenical Breakfast, hosted by former U.S. Congresswoman and current Oakland mayoral candidate Barbara Lee, on February 20, 2025, at the Oakland Temple Visitors’ Center.

The event provided faith leaders with an opportunity to engage with Lee on her vision for Oakland’s future and explore ways in which faith communities can collaborate with city leadership to foster a more unified and secure Oakland.

“There’s an awesome challenge to fix Oakland, but I believe that Barbara Lee has the resume, integrity, and wisdom to serve and represent the people of Oakland,” said Bishop Gregory Bernard Payton of the Greater Saint John Baptist Church.

Throughout the breakfast, Lee highlighted key priorities central to her campaign. “Housing is a big priority in Oakland for me,” she stated, referencing her extensive congressional tenure, during which she served on a housing committee focused on expanding homeownership opportunities, improving public housing quality, and addressing homelessness.

Public safety was another focal point, as Lee emphasized her commitment to increasing police presence to curb crime, rebuild community trust in law enforcement, and create a more integrated police force. She also stressed the importance of reshaping Oakland’s narrative to instill a greater sense of pride among its residents.

Additional topics of discussion included the No Coal in Oakland where Lee reaffirmed her commitment to preventing the establishment of a coal terminal in Oakland and voiced her support for the expansion of green jobs to align with environmental changes that will impact future generations.

Pastor Ken Chambers, founding president of the Interfaith Council of Alameda County and Senior Pastor of West Side Missionary Baptist Church, underscored the power of unity in addressing Oakland’s challenges. “When we come together—leaders, community members, and the faith community—we can create real change. Collaboration is the key to building a stronger, more vibrant Oakland for everyone. Working together works.”

The breakfast concluded with a collective prayer, symbolizing the shared hope and dedication to a brighter future for Oakland.

Oakland Ballers Ballunteer Day with ICAC in West Oakland

The Oakland Ballers joined forces with the Interfaith Council of Alameda County (ICAC) for Ballunteer Day, a powerful day of service dedicated to supporting the West Oakland community. 

On Saturday, February 22, 2025, more than 40 dedicated Ballunteers gathered at the ICAC Hub, located at West Side Missionary Baptist Church, to distribute nutritious produce and canned goods to hundreds of community members in partnership with Helping Others Win. In addition to food distribution, volunteers worked diligently to clean and prepare trailers that will soon become safe homes for individuals currently enrolled in the ICAC Safe Car Park Program, providing a secure overnight space for those living in their vehicles.

The Ballunteer program is a community-driven initiative of Oakland Ballers fans committed to supporting and empowering local nonprofits through collective action. Whether by providing hands-on assistance at events, offering professional expertise, or dedicating time to meaningful projects, Ballunteers help drive real change where it is needed most.

Dressed in their signature Oakland Ballers gear, the volunteers embodied the spirit of teamwork and service, working side by side with ICAC and Helping Others Win to uplift the community. "The Ballers are a community-first organization," said Laura Geist, General Manager of the Oakland Ballers. "We want the Oakland community to come out, watch the Ballers play baseball, and be part of something bigger than the game."

The efforts of the Ballunteers will directly support ICAC's plan to create a trailer village at the ICAC Hub in West Oakland and additional sites in East Oakland. Developer Randy Williamson is collaborating with ICAC to lead a transitional affordable housing initiative, providing a crucial pathway for unhoused individuals to find stability and rebuild their lives.

As the day wrapped up, Ballunteers and community members took a moment to reflect on their shared mission. Leaders from ICAC and Helping Others Win spoke about the power of unity and service, encouraging continued participation in volunteer efforts, donations, and advocacy.

"Together, we are stronger," said Pastor Ken Chambers of West Side Missionary Baptist Church and Founding President of ICAC. "Let’s keep this momentum going and make a difference—one act of kindness at a time. Working together works!"

To learn more about ICAC visit interfaithAC.org. Join the upcoming ICAC meeting on March 13, 2025, from 1-2:30 pm at the Oakland Temple Visitors Center, 4766 Lincoln Ave, Oakland, CA 94602.

Homeless mom reunited with her towed car in Oakland

Jade Burnett and Rev. Ken Chambers exchanged a tearful hug outside of Fat Cat Tires near the Oakland Flea Market on Monday, celebrating Burnett’s reunion with her car, which doubles as her home.

Burnett said she lives in her 2008 Pontiac Vibe with her 17-year-old autistic son and her nine-year-old daughter, but on Feb. 25, it was towed from 39th Street in Oakland.

Burnett told KTVU she left the vehicle there after a women’s shelter in Berkeley placed her and her kids in a motel in Pinole for a couple of days to keep them safe during winter storms.

An Oakland Police Department spokesperson said the car was towed because it had an expired registration.

A Pastor's fight to keep coal out of Oakland

After hearing concerns like Sistah To’s from so many people, Reverend Chambers founded his own group, the Interfaith Council of Alameda County, organized around stopping the coal plan. In 2016, working with youth and environmental activists, they started lobbying the City. And their efforts paid off: that year, the City Council voted unanimously to ban coal's storage and handling in Oakland. But Tagami sued in return. He asked a federal judge to overturn the City’s ban, specifically for his coal terminal.