Greetings from East Oakland!

I have had a number of conversations recently with young men who are tempted to step back into some sort of illegal and dangerous activity. The reasoning is simple. People need to eat, clothe themselves, pay an astronomical amount for housing, put gas in the car, buy diapers, pay utility bills, etc. Even for people working themselves to exhaustion at their day jobs or graveyard shifts, the reality of Bay Area economics and our housing crisis is tragic.

However... the young men I’ve spoken to recently are resisting the temptation. Why? Not because it’s easy. What exactly are the things that keep someone from going down this particular rabbit hole towards fast but dangerous money?  Is it faith in God? Is it a support system? Is it the love of friends or family?  Is it having a safe space to vent and be encouraged? Is it hope that things can change? Is it finding the right job or education program? Is it simply having something good and healthy to do every day? Can it be one call or text from a caring friend or mentor?  Most likely, it is a mix of these things.

This is why we do the work we do at Oakland Leadership Center. It’s not always fun, and we can’t always tell the specific stories from each day, but we’re in the trenches offering mentoring, love, prayer, pastoral counseling, friendship, community, life coaching, safe spaces, positive ways to spend time and a support system for people who are ready for it.

This work is hard, but we love it. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate each conversation or email of encouragement. We appreciate each gift card. We appreciate each dollar donated. Those of you who read our newsletters and offer your support one way or another make this ministry possible.  Thank you.

Grace and peace,

Nate Millheim for Oakland Leadership Center