Community Works West

I've recently taken the phrase, "If Not, Us? Then who? If Not, Now? Then, When? - John Lewis, to mean different things at different points in time. It's said to mean, "a rhetorical question that urges people to act for a cause, emphasizing the responsibility of the present moment and the collective power of "us" to create change instead of waiting for someone else." Over the last ten years, I've chosen to be part of various organizations, primarily to educate myself and utilize the talents I've been blessed with to serve. "Be the change you want to see" . Officially, my ask this Giving Season is simple:  if you are reading this, you can afford to donate $10 to help me reach my goal of supporting my organization, which believes in grace, accountability, community safety, and the restoration of harm done. By supporting Community Works programs, you invest in Case Managers who do what it takes to help survivors of crime, help men who have committed crimes be accountable, and empower youth with adverse childhood experiences to empower themselves. Here is a list of what your support will do as a collective if we reach $10,000 ($10 per person reading this): What Your Donation Will Support $25: Project What! This monthly recurring donation will cover the meal cost during one youth's weekly Oakland program. $50- $250: All programs. Monthly recurring donations will help purchase gift cards and or stipends for clients in the following programs: Restorative Justice Diversion, Project WHAT!, Reentry, and RSVP. $100: Reentry. This donation will cover the cost of an emergency supply kit for clients leaving jails or prisons. $200: Survivor Empowerment and Restoration. The donation will cover the cost of a hotel voucher for a weekend for clients fleeing from a domestic violence situation. $300: Reentry. This donation will help one transitional-age youth (TAY) return home with necessities like lodging, food, and toiletries. $500: ProjectWhat! This donation will enable one youth to take coding classes, advancing their potential for employment and providing avenues for self-expression. $500: Survivor Empowerment and Restoration. This will cover the cost of an emergency kit for those fleeing a domestic violence situation (Emergency phone, hotel vouchers, diapers, gas gift cards) $800: ProjectWhat! This donation will fund one scholarship for ProjectWHAT! Senior as they transition to college. This is an annual scholarship that Project WHAT! gives graduating seniors help to transition from high school to college. $5000: Restorative Justice Diversion. This donation will cover the cost of one youth’s Restorative Community Conferencing. To Learn more, watch these two videos: Message from the Co-Executives Restorative Justice: Why We Need It? I was recently reminded, "How will they know us?" unless it's through how we show love. Justice Demands Humanity - Thank you in advance.

At Community Works (CW) , we don't just see the youth we serve; we see the leaders  they are becoming. They're not defined by the systems that tried to hold them back, but by their courage, their resilience, and their lived experiences —the very tools they use to advocate for a better future. This campaign is about fueling that power. We're raising $25,000  to send our inspiring young advocates to the NACRJ Conference in New Orleans in 2026 —a transformative journey that will solidify their role as architects of justice.