East Oakland

5th Graders from ACORN Woodland Elementary and EnCompass Academy talk about why the library is important to them and their community.

EnCompass Academy and Acorn Woodland Elementary students witness the delivery of 30,000 new books and videos delivered to the new 81st Ave Branch Library

Jeffery and Tyresse give their thoughts on violence in East Oakland and what they would do to change it. 

Jeffery and Lauren talk about the good and bad of being siblings.

 Jeffery, Lauren and Tyreese talk about their favorite memories in East Oakland and dreams for the future.

Our Oakland, with the Oakland Public Library and the Oakland Public Art Program, presented 'Stories Building Bridges' on Saturday, February 26th, 2011 at the brand new 81st Avenue Library in the heart of East Oakland at 81st and Rudsdale.

Ms. Cooper narrates her memories when she and her sisters attended the Acorn Woodland School in the 1960's.

Hi my name is Marta Ibarra and I am from Guadalajala, Jalisco. I arrived here at Oakland in the 80's. I came to Oakland because here I found a a job, I found security, and I felt safe here with my children. I am happy to be here in Oakland. I had two transformations, in myself and in the community. After sometime here, I became member of ACORN. We began by cleaning the streets. We were organizing ourselves to have a nice city, to have pretty streets. After the Oakdale Charter School was closed. There was talk about opening the ACORN school on Rudsdale and 81st here in Oakland.

Well, it makes me feel like not all of East Oakland is bad. It can help you get off the streets and keep you safe. I also think this image shows hard work, which can get you where you want to be in life.