I’m the Program Supervisor of Lincoln’s West Oakland Initiative (WOI) that works with students, parents, and West Oakland schools to support Social Emotional Learning and literacy gaps. At school, our focus is empowering youth, increasing literacy and parent involvement. We also built in an at-home component to support parents with home structure.

We are all experiencing deep outrage and sadness over the recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and so many other Black lives lost. As so many of you are acutely aware, racism has always existed and is deeply rooted in America. The horrific events of the past few weeks remind us that we have a long way to go to fight for justice.

I am the Program Manager of Lincoln's Intensive Home Based Services (IHBS) program that serves children and families in Contra Costa County. As a part of the services offered to children who are impacted by the foster care and child welfare system, we get to work with amazing children with some of the most challenging stories while they are working to stabilize in their placements. Most of the children or youth in our program have been subjected to multiple placement changes in a short period of time and experienced the direct harm of being removed from their parents care. Whether in the process of reunification, living in a foster home, or being placed in a group home, these foster youth have a plethora of experiences that have made placement a challenge.

As my family ushered in the new year, I sat with my daughters to design vision boards. “2020 Vision” boldly positioned in the center of my board; short term goals, inspirational quotes to myself, dreams and aspirations, and milestones reached…that is what I envisioned. Never could I have imagined an event of this magnitude, storming onto the scene and forcing every living being to re-think life.

Dear Lincoln Champions,

I’ve been thinking a lot about the power of community as I settle into my role as CEO of Lincoln. We live in a time for many of division, isolation, and a loss of connection that provides meaning and a sense of belonging. Read about the stories of hope we see every day.

Transformative new center will impact lives and the West Oakland community

Lincoln proudly announced today the selection of Allison Staulcup Becwar as its new President & CEO effective March 1, 2019. Following an inclusive selection process involving the board, staff, and key external stakeholders, Becwar, who recently served as Lincoln’s Chief Program Officer, succeeds Christine Stoner-Mertz following her departure after 13 years of service to the organization.

"Preventing Suicide Is Everyone’s Business" says Linda Rosenberg, President and CEO of National Council for Behavioral Health.

Many of us know of at least one person who has thought about harming themselves or others who have thought their only choice was to end their life.