What are Living Rooms?
They are hubs of resources, arts and culture coordinated by the Village in Oakland in public spaces throughout Oakland, Berkeley and SF. Several of the Village in Oakland programs & services come together like Voltron to bring our people these Resource Hubs/Block Parties. Organizations in the community are welcome to set up tables at the events.
History of the Living Rooms
Since Jan 2016, Feed The People has been providing hot meals, clean drinking water and groceries to unhoused communities. Mid 2016 we expanded to include provisions distribution. In 2020 we expanded once again to include harm reduction supplies and PPE.
Conditions in existing curbside communities have evolved in a way that we saw it was necessary for our people have a place of respite away from their communities that were within walking distance.
In summer 2021 The Village began to shift our food distro services to not directly be in curbside communities, but in neutral public places like parks and plazas. In April 2022 we incorporated our work with Deeply Rooted Oakland 2045 into the Living Rooms as well as general political education. In September we incorporated a DJ, jam session/open mic, and mural making. In September we also incorporated Know Your Rights education.
The following locations have had Living Rooms since April 2021:
- Outside the Welfare Office on San Pablo
- Athens St. & Market St.
- Drivers Plaza
- DeFermery Park/Little Bobby Hutton Park
- Marcus Garvey Park
- Oscar Grant Plaza
- Latham Square
- Lake Merritt on Grand Ave & Euclid
- San Antonio Park
If you would like to find out how to get involved with the Living Room as an artist, service provider, or programer; or ion you want to find out where the next living room will be please call 510-355-7010.
