Developing skills on and off the field with Oakland Leaf Sports
Dear Friend of Oakland Leaf, Sports are an integral component of Oakland Leaf afterschool programs. Sometimes people are surprised that a youth organization with a mission of building a more loving and just community includes classes like basketball, soccer, baseball,...
A Back to School Update (in pictures)
An Oakland Leaf Back to School Update: A peak into our first month back on our school campuses From beading to reading, jumping to journaling, and stretching to snacking, Oakland Leaf is committed to a holistic approach to youth development. We are building young...
Oakland Leaf’s 2021-22 Digital Annual Report Flipbook
Click here to check out our dynamic year in review flipbook.
Love in Action Event Update and Photos
Dear Friend of Oakland Leaf, Our Love in Action celebration Tuesday evening was a huge success. We met and exceeded our fundraising goal. Between ticket sales, sponsorships, donations, and auction sales, we raised over $120,000 for our afterschool and youth internship...
Love in Action Celebration on April 21st, 2022
Join us at Love in Action, a celebration of the everyday acts of love that help Oakland Leaf students and programs thrive.Oakland Leaf’s COVID-safe outdoor soirée will include delicious seasonal Mexican cuisine and cocktails, student performances, a silent auction,...
Restorative Justice is about more than conflict resolution
When talking about Oakland Leaf’s approach to youth development, we often use the term restorative justice (RJ). While RJ, as a concept, has become relatively mainstream, most people only have a fuzzy idea of what it is in practice. In western culture, people tend to...
Oakland Leaf Afterschool Program Manager on the power of creative arts education
Middle school can be tough on self-esteem. Social comparison becomes more intense and can lead to feelings of unworthiness that affect everything from healthy decision-making to academic performance. When I was in middle school, participation in team sports boosted my...
Oakland Leaf’s Director of Community Programs on the importance of arts education
I started my work with Oakland Leaf as an intern in a media arts program called Youth Roots when I was just 13 years old. After I graduated from college, I returned to Oakland Leaf as an After-school Program Instructor and then, later, I was promoted first to Program...
Cultivating Creative Spaces: A week in the life of Oakland Leaf afterschool programs
Oakland Leaf has emphasized creative expression since our founding project, a citywide youth talent show. An abundance of research confirms what we have seen again and again in our work with youth: arts education strengthens young peoples’ academic, problem-solving,...
Oakland Leaf’s 2020-21 Digital Annual Report Flipbook
Click here to check out 'Roots of Resilience', Oakland Leaf's 2020-21 digital year in review.