Nuestro Lugar

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

If you come into the 81st Avenue Library, you can’t miss the Our Oakland art glass – it spreads across the 65 foot wide, two storey-tall bank of clerestory windows in the main reading room, in shades of blues and greens. The art glass features Our Oakland’s thematic imagery of linked ripples symbolizing community interconnection and replenishment, and a stylized design of an elm leaf and seedpods, referring to the history of the Elmhurst district where the Library is located.

Residents of East Oakland and staff from Acorn Woodland Elementary show their enthusiasm for the opening of a new library in their community.

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

Kimi Kean's journey from a high shool dropout to a school principal in East Oakland.

The cabinetry for the Interactive Pod that's part of the public art is built! It will house the monitor that's dedicated to this website as a symbolic public portal to Our Oakland. Here's a picture of it fresh out of the oven, and a picture of the drawing for the pod -- pretty close huh? Recognize our thematic overlapping ripples?

We have been in business for 5 years and have only received $1500.00. Sad, however, God has granted us a go. We now have an actual headquarters and computer lab to teach out of and plan for bigger events and functions. We are a members only organization, however, the computer lab is free and we're open to the general public and to all ages. You don't necessarily have to live in this community. Just respect it and your own too.

Tina's Story
By Allison Thai

Augustine Crawford, born on February 25, 1940, goes by the name Tina. She didn’t always love her name, but over time she grew to cherish it. And over time, Tina Crawford has faced numerous personal struggles – becoming a young mother, dealing with health and substance abuse issues – but these experiences have made her a stronger, wiser person with a lot to share for young Oakland residents.

Mitsuyo's Story
by Leon Liang