OUR STORY

Working Towards a Better Tomorrow

Dealing with the challenges of today requires problem-solvers who bring different perspectives and are willing to take risks. Oakland Natives Give Back emerged out of a pursuit to inspire and support the community, and a desire for actions to speak louder than words. Established in 2008, we’re an organization driven by progressive ideas, bold actions, and a strong foundation of support.

OAKLAND NATIVES GIVE BACK

ONGB promotes daily school attendance and youth development to ensure

ALL of Oakland students graduate from high school.

WHO WE ARE

Oakland Natives Give Back is in the business of changing and shaping lives. The work we do at our Social Enterprise is aimed at providing a holistic approach to solving some of our society’s biggest challenges. We make sure people in our community are empowered by creating opportunities for everyone.

MISSION

Oakland Natives Give Back promotes daily school attendance and youth development to ensure ALL Oakland students graduate from high school.

With our organization’s mission always in mind, we strive to find new strategies for dealing with this challenge. Dropout prevention is an issue that we take very seriously, and our team is working each and every day to make a positive impact.

One Diploma a Time

We are working towards building a connected Oakland where the community is transformed by the village - those committed to investing time, energy and resources towards improving the quality of life for youth.

To that end, we strive to inspire and enable current and former Oakland residents to serve the community. We see service as a means of connecting one’s own wellbeing to that ofthe people living around us.

As such, ONGB's world vision was grown out of the notion that the world is interconnected and interdependent. The suffering of one inevitably impacts all of us. An act of kindness for one benefits all of us.

VISION

United Commity

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VALUES

Racial and Social Justice

Empowerment

Lifelong Learning

Sharing Forward

Partnership

Innovative Solutions

Zeal

Altruism

Authentic Relationships

Commitment to Service

Our goal is to promote great opportunities for those in need. With access to the right resources, people can become empowered by their own abilities and gain the confidence to fulfill their potential.

WHAT WE DO

Oakland Natives Give Back is in the business of changing and shaping lives. The work we do at our Social Enterprise is aimed at providing a holistic approach to solving some of society’s biggest challenges that contribute to the dropout crisis. In doing so, we make sure the community is empowered by creating opportunities for individuals and grassroots organizations and groups to fulfill their missions to create a better community.

INNOVATION

Using out of the box thinking to solve complex community challenges

SHARING

Helping people help people by funding individuals and grassroots groups and organizations

ENGAGEMENT

Bringing people together to celebrate, share critical information and/or provide resources

WHY WE DO IT

THE ISSUE

A recent report from the California Attorney General’s Office found that 73% of students who are chronically absent in kindergarten and first grade cannot meet state standards for English in third grade, which in turn quadruples their risk of dropping out of high school. Currently, only 64% of Oakland students in a four-year cohort will graduate from high school. High school dropout is associated with poorer lifelong health, lower lifetime earning potential, and an increased risk of incarceration. Students without a high school diploma are eight times more likely to be incarcerated at some point in their lives.

THE CULPRIT

Chronic Absenteeism

According to a 2013-2014 national report that defined chronic absenteeism as missing at least 15 days of school, over 6 million students—or 13 percent of all students—were chronically absent. In the state of California, chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of school days—on that definition, California’s rate of chronic absenteeism is 12%. Chronic absenteeism has a range of root causes, including physical and mental health issues, housing instability, bullying, and lack of family resources.

THE SOLUTION

Investing in Our Future

We believe that investing in Oakland youth is our responsibility and promoting academic excellence and engaging youth development is our way to ensure that our children and youth will remain competitive in the 21st century. Students dropping or being pushed out of school due to out are one of the biggest challenges facing schools in Oakland. In partnership with Assemblymember Rob Bonta, Oakland Parks & Recreation, OUSD, and other local leaders, ONGB has engaged in innovative programming to combat these epidemics.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Strengthening Community

Through our community empowerment work, we have the potential to make a real and positive change in the Oakland and beyond. This is one of our key areas of focus here at Oakland Natives Give Back, and a source of much success. In addition to our events and programs, Oakland Natives Give Back supports individuals and and grassroots groups who need support for their projects. Our organization funds that serve youth in Oakland by providing resources for academic instruction, athletic programs, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics), various enrichment programs and other program areas that remove the social and financial barriers which keep youth from reaching their highest academic, career and life potential.

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