Topics Covered in the Homebuying Workshop:

* Pros and Cons of Homeownership

* Building a Strong Foundation

* Lending Process

* Importance of Credit

* The 4’C of Lending

* Types of Loan

* Homebuyer Assistance Program

* Pre-qualification

* Real Estate Process

* The Importance of  Home Inspection

* Responsibilities of Title

* Post-Purchase

* Avoid Predatory Lending

* Refinancing/Home Equity Line

* Basic Home Maintenance

* Enjoy your New Home 

Schedule: 

(click here to download the schedule)

 Would you like to spend your summer making money while helping the community and learning important job skills at the same time? 

We're accepting reservations from youth ages 14-24 for our Summer Youth Employment Program.

Last year we place 150 youth in fun and meaningful summer jobs.  Examples of some of the jobs included:

• painting murals to beautify the neighborhood,
• planning a youth conference to discuss important issues such as the college application process, safe sex and healthy relationships,
• helping out at local non-profits, and much more.

 Want to know more?

>> Download the flyer

>> Email Ky Sundara to reserve your space

  Free pre-vocational workshops available thanks to the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board.  Click here to download the flyer. 

1551 23rd Ave for lease. Click photo for flyer.  5,000 SF. Office/Commercial Building with Parking

Move-in Ready!!!

$1.80 sf triple net lease

Location: 1551 23^rd Avenue @ Foothill Blvd., Oakland, CA 94606

Contact: Lao Family Community Development, Inc.

Kathy Chao Rothberg, Executive Director: Tel: 510.533.8850

Email: kmchao888@yahoo.com

Features:

•      2,500 sf. on each floor (total 5,000 sf) for non-profit office or commercial use
•      Private parking lot for staff and clients (9 spaces) and plenty of street parking
•      AT&T DSL internet, telephone lines, and alarm ready and available
•      Built our private offices, meeting rooms, classrooms, and computer lab ready
•      Restrooms both floors & Staff kitchen area on 2^nd floor
•      Plenty of sunshine, windows, and light throughout the building
•      Outdoor area for staff relaxation/BBQ
•      New carpet and paint
•      AC bus stops in front of building, 2 blocks from International Blvd., close to Fruitvale Bart and Interstate 880 freeway

Read the full article here

Translator Nwe Oo. photo from East Bay Express by Momo ChangeMomo Chang has written a wonderful article following the plight of Burmese refugees who have been arriving in greater numbers since April last year.  I don't think many people are aware of the atrocities that are taking place in Burma (Myanmar) or of the fact that an entire generation have grown up in the refugee camps since they were established in 1984.  Entire villages have been burned to the ground, their residents conscripted to forced labor- essentially slavery- by the army of their own country.  Murder and torture and ethnic persecution.  Then a dangerous escape to a refugee camp in Nepal or Thailand, where the government is a hesitant and sometimes hostile host.  There have been reports that the Thai army has towed boats of unauthorized Burmese refugees out to the middle of the ocean and left to fend for themselves.  Both Burmese and Bhutanese refugees in the camps are prohibited from finding employment outside of the camp. 

When they arrive in the United States, they have little to no job experience, understanding of the culture or expectaions of work, and are already indebted to the US government for the cost of their passage.  The aid they receive is meager, and hardly enough to get any kind of start that will help them onto the road to self-sufficiency.  While many study English in the camps, few have functional language skills when they arrive, which makes their job search nearly impossible without assistance.

Lao Family has recently hired a number of Burmese staff members to help with employment and social adjustment for both Burmese and Bhutanese refugees.  We work with The Adult School to provide ESL training on site, we provide them with workshops that help them better understand how to find, secure, and maintain employment and what the expectations and rights will be.  They work with an employment counselor to develop a resume and find potential employers.  We have social adjustment counselors to make sure they have someone to help them with the day-to-day struggle of getting along in a place where no one speaks your language.  We translate their mail for them, make sure they know when they have to report for their benefits, and that they are on a path towards building their assets so they can become self-sufficient. 

All this is incredibly difficult and time-consuming work.  As the article mentioned, this group of refugees has got so many things strikes against them.  We will continue to work diligently to try to get them the things they need to provide for themselves and their families, and to carve out a life here in our community.

I have been thinking about these things quite a bit in the past few weeks as we apply for increased funding to help this population.  I want to ask you to consider how you could help.  Could you volunteer as an English tutor, or provide employment opportunities, or housing?  Or perhaps a simple donation to help us meet the climing costs of providing these services when the demand is rising?  Please be in touch:  mfuller@lfcd.org

Best wishes for you and yours,

Mary Fuller