East Oakland Community Project nurtures the dreams of people experiencing homelessness

Leading with Compassion

We lead with compassion, and we’re focused on building trust and connection. Effective, dignified care begins with genuinely understanding a person as who they are, not just what happened to them.

Honoring Personal Stories

We listen and pay close attention to the unique stories of each of our clients, as their experiences of homelessness are varied and complex.

Maintaining Our Anchor in Oakland

We’ve stayed rooted in Oakland for 30+ years, with a steadfast commitment to our home neighborhood, while also providing dedicated care to individuals and families across Alameda County.

Healing Our Community

As a Black-led organization, we’re working to heal generations of racial and economic disparities through personalized support, because we know that a “one size fits all” approach only perpetuates systemic racism and poverty.

Leading with Compassion

Honoring Personal Stories

Maintaining Our Anchor in Oakland

Healing Our Community

We listen and pay close attention to the unique stories of each of our clients, as their experiences of homelessness are varied and complex.

We’ve stayed rooted in Oakland for 30+ years, with a steadfast commitment to our home neighborhood, while also providing dedicated care to individuals and families across Alameda County.

Community Stories

The next chapter for EOCP

Joining EOCP as Interim Executive Director—and learning about its history, strengths, and vision—has been a bittersweet gift. I am moved by the heartfelt stories of staff, colleagues, and partners who collaborated with EOCP’s longtime leader, Wendy Jackson, across her 26 year tenure, and the reflection and celebration they offer about the incredible impact of Wendy’s leadership. One thing is clear: Wendy’s authenticity, dedication, and ethic of holistic care for EOCP’s clients has shaped all aspects of our work today.

Celebrate Wendy's Legacy

As we near the end of the year, we are struck with gratitude and grief for our late Executive Director, the Wonderful Wendy Jackson, who passed away in October 2O22 after a hard-fought battle with illness. Wendy, who was preparing for her retirement, served 26 phenomenal years with EOCP. Wendy’s leadership at EOCP was profound, and she will be deeply missed. In partnership, in service, and behind the scenes, she led our organization’s critical work of nurturing the dreams of people experiencing homelessness—and she did so with unwavering integrity, heartfelt commitment, and a deep belief in community-based collaboration.

Remembering Wendy Jackson and EOCP Leadership News

On the morning of October 25th, we learned that our wonderful Executive Director, Wendy Jackson, had passed away. She was an incredible leader and cared so deeply for the work of EOCP and this community. We will miss her terribly.

Announcing Wendy Jackson’s Retirement from EOCP

Please join us in thanking, celebrating, and honoring the Wonderful Wendy Jackson for her service.

At EOCP, Staff From East Oakland Grow As Leaders

While our work has expanded to serve across Alameda County, we’ve been steadfastly committed to our home neighborhood, East Oakland. This commitment is brought to life every day by our dedicated team — many of whom are lifelong East Oaklanders. Their work and their presence demonstrates: EOCP is committed to who we say we are committed to, not only in the people we serve, but also in the people whose careers we invest in and grow.

Growth and Resilience in the Time of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the biggest challenges for our entire world. For people experiencing homelessness in Oakland and Alameda County, it was an especially heavy hit. At EOCP, we maneuvered with the flexibility, creativity, and deep commitment that we’ve embodied from day one of doing this work. Our team stepped up to adapt to the crisis, strengthen our teamwork, and keep following through. Read more about EOCP’s resilience in responding to COVID-19.

A New Chapter for Two Families

We’re sharing stories of success and growth for two families. With the support of EOCP, each of these families charted a pathway out of homelessness for themselves and their children. With resilience and commitment, each of these families is now on the road to well-being, and a new chapter in their lives.

EOCP Receives Day 1 Families Fund Grant to End Homelessness

EOCP was selected to receive a $2.5 million grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund, which issues annual leadership awards to organizations and civic groups doing compassionate, needle-moving work to provide shelter and hunger support to address the immediate needs of young families.

Community-based Services