Scroll down to access important information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and resources to support you, your family, and our community businesses and organizations during this challenging time. Information is regularly updated and sourced from District 2 Councilmember Nikki Bas, Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, CA Healthy Nail Salon Collective, Oakland Chinatown Improvement, and other community partners.

OACC is a member of the Oakland Chinatown Coalition, which “works for a strong, vibrant and healthy future for our neighborhood” by engaging in several different issues important to the community through monthly meetings and special projects.  The Coalition was founded in 2011, consists of seventeen organizations and five individual members.  OACC’s participation in the Chinatown Coalition demonstrates our commitment to cross-sector collaboration and the mutual goal of enhancing the vitality and stability of Chinatown.

OACC participates regularly in two free outdoor community event series in Oakland’s Chinatown: Lincoln Summer Nights and First Wednesdays at Madison Park, which are produced in collaboration with several other community organizations and individuals.  These event series contribute to community building and are important avenues for revitalizing Chinatown.  Lincoln Summer Nights was initiated by the Chinatown Improvement Initiative in 2016, and attracts hundreds of participants at each event, including families, young children, teens, adults, and seniors.  In 2018, the events were held from 5-9pm on the first Friday of the month (June through October) at Lincoln Park and Recreation Center, and included a variety of free programming such as arts and crafts, interactive dance and sports, numerous free bike giveaways for kids, and performances by local groups.  OACC also participates in First Wednesdays at Madison Park, which began in late 2017 and is held during the first Wednesday afternoon each month throughout the year.

OACC also participates in community events produced by the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce (e.g. StreetFest in August) and Oakland Museum of California (e.g. Lunar New Year).

#BLACKLIVESMATTER RESOURCES

Support the Movement: 

Need some help?:

Recommended readings on relational racism, anti-racism, abolition, and Afro-Asian solidarities:

Tools to address racial justice, police violence, and anti-Blackness in demanding accountability from our families and communities:

COVID RELIEF FUNDS FOR ARTISTS

ARTogether Emergency Relief Fund – to support artists who have lost income and are most vulnerable. Consider supporting this fund if you aren’t in need of financial assistance. Applications open.

CERF+ the Artists Safety Net — The COVID-19 Relief Grant – provides $1,000 to artists working in craft disciplines who are facing dire circumstances due to food, housing, and/or medical insecurities as a result of the ongoing pandemic. Applications open August 10 – August 31, 2021.

Sweet Relief Musicians Fund – DONOR-DIRECTED FUND with a limited amount of funds available to be used specifically for musicians and music industry workers affected by the Coronavirus. Funds raised will go towards medical expenses, lodging, clothing, food and other vital living expenses to those impacted due to sickness or loss of work. Applications open.

OTHER COVID-19-RELATED RELIEF FUNDS

Oakland Indie Alliance COVID Recovery Fund –  currently raising money to support Oakland’s independent businesses that have been negatively affected by COVID in the form of $10,000 grants. Priority will be given to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) owned businesses in distribution.

API Council COVID-19 Emergency Fund – Help ensure food security and safety for our low-income API families and seniors.

APEN COVID-19 and Environmental Justice Response to support working-class Asian immigrant and refugee families through the COVID-19 pandemic.

SUPPORT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESSES

Oakland’s Open – a crowdsourced list compiled by the Oakland Chamber of Commerce of organizations providing modified services during COVID-19. Email officemanager@oaklandchamber.com to be included. #OAKPROUD  #StayInOrderOut

Good Good Eatz – 好好吃 Launched by Chinatown Improvement, Good Good Eatz is dedicated to featuring Chinatown folks who continue to serve up delicious goodies and comfort food during this COVID-19 pandemic. Follow their social media to see who is open for business!

Oakland Chinatown Chamber Foundation is accepting PayPal donations to help families in Chinatown.

The Mayor has asked any business owners affected by events to contact her office directly at (510) 238-3141. Staff is available to provide guidance and assistance in English, Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin.

OTHER COMMUNITY AID

API Council’s Free Legal Assistance ProgramEnglish flyer. Chinese flyer.

Register for free COVID-19 Testing – Testing sites include drive-thru and walk-in options. Accessible to anyone who lives or works in Alameda County.

City of Oakland Food Distribution Information – Information about food distribution points in Oakland. Please note eligibility requirement information of each site.

Stop Hate and Racism! Stop AAPI Hate Reporting Center – Launched by the Asian Pacific Planning and Policy Council and others to collect and track incidents of anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander hate, violence, and discrimination in California and throughout the country. These incidents will help inform future policy discussions.

OUSD Free Lunches – “Grab and Go” breakfast and lunch meals will be available for all OUSD students or families and any Oakland child under 18. Check the linked website for pick-up locations and updates.

Comcast Internet Essentials COVID Free Service Announcement – Comcast Launches New Internet Essentials Programs as Nation Gears Up for the Academic Year. The program also includes two months of free Internet service for new Internet Essentials customers.  Internet Essentials COVID 19 – Service Application

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
A huge thank you to the Oakland Chinatown Coalition for the following information. This act was passed by Congress to address the needs of small business owners, certain small non-profits, and employers during this time. Access official overview of the CARES Act.

To keep up to date on when these programs become available, please contact your local Small Business Administration (SBA) District Office. Email direct questions to CARES.Act.Help@gmail.com. Please leave your name, phone, and preferred language.

Below are two programs (EIDL & PPP) that fall under the CARES Act.

  • EIDL: Economic Injury Disaster Loan & Emergency Economic Injury Grants

Provides an emergency advance of up to $10,000 to small businesses and private non-profits harmed by COVID-19 within 3 days of applying for the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). When you are filling out the EIDL application you must check the box at the end of the application to apply for the $10,000 advance, before submitting your application online. This advance does not need to be repaid under any circumstance. It can be used to keep employees on payroll, to pay for sick leave, meet increased production costs due to supply chain disruptions, or pay business obligations, including debts, rent, and mortgage payments. Loans are available for up to $2 Million and have a fixed rate of 3.75% for 30 years. You do not have to accept the loan if offered even if you have accepted the $10K advance.

EIDL Application Form

English/Chinese translation of the application. One can use this to fill in their answers but entries must be typed into the above Online Form.

  • PPP: Payroll Protection Program

A loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.

You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in the program. Program information in Chinese.

Apply for the Paycheck Protection Program with an eligible lender.

A rough Chinese translation of the application form.

Click here and enter your ZIP Code to find a lender near you.

COVID-19 Resources in KoreanKorean Center, Inc. has a page dedicated to anything one might need to know about our current situation from general health guidelines to food assistance. They also have information on the CARES Act and the Payroll Protection Program, these documents are linked below for convenience.

KCI COVID-19 landing page ​(코로나19에 대한 유용한 정보)
CARES Act (in Korean)
PPP (in Korean)

CA Arts Council’s COVID-19 News & Resources 

CalShakes COVID-19 Resources for Artists and Technicians

Mental Health Interventions: How to Respond to a Behavioral Crisis

Resources to Help Empower Asian and Pacific Islander Communities

VIRTUAL ARTS & CULTURE RESOURCES