City of Fremont Human Services Weekly Update

Now open housing choice voucher waitlist pre application now open through April 5

The Housing Authority of the County of Alameda (HACA) is accepting pre-applications for its Housing Choice Voucher program and HACA-Owned Project Based 3- and 4-bedroom unit waitlists. Pre-applications are being accepted starting now through Friday, April 5, 2024, at 11:59 pm. The online application will be available continuously 24 hours a day during the open application period. There is no cost to apply. You can apply using any device that has access to the internet including your mobile phone. The application will be available in English, Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

HACA is working with community partners in Fremont to provide in-person application assistance to the elderly, the disabled, those with limited English, and the general public. View the complete list of partner agencies.

Learn How to Complete Your Pre-Application

International Autism Awareness Day

Fremont Police Department is proud to announce its partnership with the nonprofit organization, Joshua's Gift and the shared vision of promoting acceptance, inclusion, and respect with our neurodiverse community. Together, they will be furthering Code Joshua: a two-prong mission of enhancing officer autism awareness training and the development of a voluntary registry to assist families with autistic loved ones. This registry aims to further community safety by providing law enforcement with more information, especially in times of crisis. As it works on this initiative, the Fremont Police Department will be reaching out to the community and stakeholders for input and discourse.

Starting today, International Autism Awareness Day, and through the rest of April, Fremont Police will proudly show off their new patrol car decal as autism community partners. Learn more.

simple secure and always free irs direct file directfile.irs.gov

On March 12, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) launched a new, free tool called Direct File, which allows eligible taxpayers to securely file their taxes online directly with the IRS. In this pilot year, Direct File is available in 12 states, including California. IRS Direct File is a simple and easy way to file your taxes for free – with no fees or surprises. You can use Direct File on your smartphone, laptop, tablet, or desktop computer to file your taxes in English or Spanish in as few as 30 minutes.

Learn More & Check if You're Eligible

hand holding yellow sign that says join our team

The Human Services Department works to support a vibrant community through the creation and maintenance of services that empower individuals, strengthen families, encourage self-sufficiency, enhances neighborhoods, and fosters a high quality of life. If you're looking for a new opportunity, apply today! We currently have the following positions open- click on the position title to review the recruitment brochure:

Counselor Positions (Youth and Family Services) - Part-time, regular

Mobile Hygiene Unit Operator (PSA II)

Photo of mother and daughter with heading that reads tools for change a free workshop for parents and caregivers

Workshop for Parents in Spanish

Tools for Change: Workshop for Parents & Caregivers of Adolescents (12-18) In Spanish

Five Tuesdays starting April 9 5:30-8:30pm

Fremont Family Resource Center Pacific Room

39155 Liberty St Fremont

A free, five-week series providing support for families to help teens grow into safe and competent adults. Learn effective ways to talk to your teen. Improve family relationships. Learn strategies to improve your and your child's well being. Find solutions for delinquent behaviors.

Collage of art entries from previous years banner reads 2024 art competition

Intergenerational Art Competition

The Human Services Department is excited to announce an Intergenerational Annual Art Competition titled

"Stand Up and Speak Out."

Expanding on the Annual Children's Mental Health Awareness Art Competition that honors Children's Mental Health Awareness each year in May, this year the City has added a competition for older adults to celebrate Older American's Month, also in May. Tri-City artists between the ages of 3 and 21 and 55 or older, are encouraged to submit their original artwork by the April 12, 2024 deadline.

Winners will be announced at an Art Show on May 9, which is Children's Mental Health Awareness Day, from 4 – 6 p.m. at the Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth. Learn how to enter your art.

Four older adults standing together in Central Park in Fremont

Age-Friendly Fremont Survey

In 2019, the City of Fremont established its first Age-Friendly Action Plan for 2020-2025. An Age-Friendly City is a livable city for everyone. Older adults should feel safe, healthy, and happy living in Fremont. Aging and Family Services is in the process of updating this plan for the next five years. One of the first steps is to survey the community about its feelings regarding what it's like to age in Fremont and better understand the concerns and needs of older adults in the community. Learn more and take the survey.

Three senior peer counselors from the past cohort

Senior Peer Counselors Needed

Aging and Family Services is seeking warm and compassionate volunteers to assist older adults in its Senior Peer Counseling (SPC) Program. SPC Program assists Tri-City elders, 55 years or older, facing moderate mental health issues. A licensed, professional therapist supervises the program. If you are at least 50 years of age and can participate in a 36-hour training, review the flyer to learn more.

AGE WELL CENTER AT LAKE ELIZABETH

40086 Paseo Padre Pkway

Fremont, CA 94538

AWC Cinemas by On Lok PACE

"Barbie"

Tuesday, April 9

2–4pm Multi-Purpose Room - FREE

Come down to watch Barbie! Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they visit the real world, they face the reality of living among humans. Popcorn and beverages are available for purchase. Register today!

EMAIL Nick Jordan with questions about classes at the Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth.

AGE WELL CENTER AT SOUTH FREMONT

47111 Mission Falls Court

Fremont, CA 94538

hands with gardening gloves planting a seedling

Gardening Insights (NEW)

Fridays

Free Trial April 5

1-2pm Small Activity Room

$42 Members $62 Non Members

How to live a long and healthy life from a gardener's perspective. Learn how to plant, prune, graft, and select fruit, vegetables and herbs that thrive in the Bay Area. Prepare to participate in plant exchanges and share ideas. All levels welcomed. Class format consists of instructional material and hands on experience. The instructor, Katie Wong, is a former master gardener, a rare fruit enthusiast with a passion for ornamental plants.

Ink Painting (In Mandarin) (NEW)

Mondays Starting April 8

2-3:30pm Small Activity Room

$24.50 member $44.50 non-member

Are you interested in exploring Chinese art? Join this class and create five amazing ink paintings. Materials will not be provided. Please obtain a list of materials needed from the office before the first class. All levels are welcomed. Instructor: Rong Sheng Zhang. Class is conducted in Mandarin.

EMAIL Martha Torrez with questions about classes at the Age Well Center at South Fremont.

South County Housing Resource Center Drop-In Hours

Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 - 3 p.m.

Fremont Family Resource Center, Millennium Room

39155 Liberty St., Fremont, CA

Our Homeless Services team hosts drop-in hours as a South County Housing Resource Center in the Fremont Family Resource Center. This is an opportunity for people seeking housing problem-solving support, shelter assessments, referrals, or housing assessments. For more information, call the Fremont FRC at 510-574-2000.

California Dream for All Program: The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) launched another round of funding for the California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan Program, a down payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers to be used in conjunction with the Dream For All Conventional first mortgage for down payment and/or closing costs. Learn more.

Salaam Food Pantry in South Fremont holds monthly food distributions on the 4th Saturday of the month from 10 - 11:30 a.m., with lunch provided from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Salaam Food Pantry is located at the Islamic Center of Fremont at 4039 Irvington Avenue. Their next distribution is on April 27. Download the flyer.

Stay Housed Bay Area is carefully curated with up-to-date, relevant information in both English and Spanish. Stay Housed Bay Area makes it easy for anyone in the Bay Area to find available resources near them. For more information, visit Stay Housed Bay Area.

text that reads Safe Parking Program Need a Safe Place to Park Overnight

Tri-City residents living in their vehicles and interested in learning more about the City of Fremont's Safe Parking Host Site program may call 510-574-2222 or email for more information.

Church sites have opened their lots overnight and provide fellowship through a welcoming space, clean portable bathrooms, and friendly volunteers. No RVs are permitted at this time.

Affordable Housing in Fremont: In the next few years, more affordable housing is planned for Fremont. Nearly 800 new affordable rental units will become available for low-income households. To learn more, visit the City's Upcoming Units webpage.

Low-income Drivers can Save 50-75% on I-880 Express Lane Tolls: A new pilot program helps low-income travelers use the express lanes on I-880 between Milpitas and Oakland at a discounted rate. Bay Area residents can apply online or by using the paper application from the Fremont FRC. Income guidelines apply, and proof of income is required. Learn more.

Help for Energy Bills: Ava Community Energy (formerly East Bay Community Energy) has an Energy Bill Payment Assistance web page. It is designed to help you better understand what programs are available and the eligibility requirements for each. You can enroll in the program that is right for you. Visit their website to learn more.

Alameda County Water District Customer Assistance Program:

Help on Tap customer assistance program provides qualifying single-family residential accounts a $63.75 credit on their bi-monthly water service charge. Credit will be applied upon approval of your application. Learn more.

Affordable Home Renovations: Renew Alameda County helps homeowners make renovations necessary to stay, grow, and thrive in their homes. Renew AC can make home improvement plans come to life - without breaking the bank. Renew AC provides 1% interest loans from $15,000 to $200,000 to qualified homeowners. Renew AC is for low-income homeowners who live in Alameda County. Learn more.