Part of our vision strategy at Skyline is to champion social justice issues. One way that we live this out is through our Community Partners. These are local organizations and ministries we partner with as we reach out into our community. Below you will see a list of our partners and how you might be able to be a part of what they are doing.
Alameda County Community Food Bank
ACCFB operates through a network of 240 strategically placed member agencies – food pantries, soup kitchens, child-care centers, senior centers, after-school programs and other community-based organizations - as well as their own direct-distribution programs, to distribute enough food to provide 540,000 meals weekly. Skyline has made a major donation and presented a matching challenge to major corporate sponsors to support the fundraising efforts of ACCFB. Also, once a year, the church and preschool organize a food drive to support the food bank.
Bay Area Community Services (BACS)
BACS is committed to developing stable, supportive services that promote community-based independent living for marginalized adults. Since 1953, Bay Area Community Services has been a leader in developing and delivering cost-effective services to adults with mental illness and seniors in Alameda County (once a year we collect clothes to donate to BACS).
East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy
EBASE advances economic, racial and social justice by building a just economy in the East Bay based on good jobs and healthy communities. We address the root causes of economic injustice by developing strategic alliances among community, faith, and labor to build power and create change with low-income workers and communities of color. Once a year we have advocates speaking in worship.
East Bay Housing Organizations (EBHO)
EBHO is a membership non-profit organization dedicated to working with communities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to preserve, protect and expand affordable housing opportunities through education, advocacy, organizing, and coalition building. Twice a year, church and preschool families visit EBHO to bring holiday gifts for children (links to blogs and photos)
A program for people in transition seeking food and clothing in Oakland. Particularly during these challenging economic times, the Switchboard has seen an exponential increase in demand for its services. Twice a year, church and preschool families visit EOS to bring clothes for families in need.
East Oakland Community Project
EOCP is the largest transitional homeless shelter in Alameda County. EOCP empowers homeless individuals and families in Alameda County to regain a life of self-reliance. We provide dignified emergency and transitional housing and compassionate, comprehensive support services that prepare homeless people to successfully transition to well being. Twice a year we bring gifts and joy from the church and preschool to this community.
Food of God for the People of God
FOG is one of the food pantries of ACCFB. Once a month a team of church members prepare and serve a meal for those in need.
Jubilee USA and Jubilee East Bay
Jubilee USA Network is an alliance of more than 75 U.S. organizations, 250 faith communities and 50 Jubilee global partners. Jubilee’s mission is to build an economy that serves, protects and promotes participation of the most vulnerable. Jubilee USA has won critical global financial reforms and more than $130 billion in debt relief to benefit the world’s poorest people. Our Pastor and congregation led the movement for our denomination’s Northern California Nevada Conference to become a Jubilee conference. Jubilee East Bay is an active chapter.
Nueva Esperanza Sunday Preschool
Nueva Esperanza Preschool works to prepare immigrant and refugee children from the indigenous Guatemalan Mam culture, ages 3-5, to enter U.S. schools at the Kindergarten/First Grade level with at least average levels of expected knowledge that will enable them to receive and benefit from the curriculum in kindergarten. Skyline members volunteer and make financial contributions. Skyline received a grant from United Church of Christ to support the preschool. Here’s more about volunteering at the Preschool.
Faith in Action East Bay is multi-faith, multiracial network made up of more than 23 congregations that includes over 25,000 families. FIAEB leaders share common values from our diverse faith, racial, political, and social traditions. Faith in Action East Bay is a member of the PICO California and Faith In Action National Network.
In 2007 Skyline church provided major financial support to build a school, and a library in Makrommray, Sierra Leone. Since that time the church has organized fundraisers to support the salaries of five teachers, offering support for 400 children from four villages come and learn.
Our church hosts a delicious luncheon for the residents of St Mary’s Soup Kitchen each year.