OAKLAND KIDS FIRST
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Mission Statement
Oakland Kids First (OKF) increases youth voice, leadership and power to create engaging and equitable public schools where all students learn and lead.
About This Cause
Oakland Kids First (OKF) is a community-based nonprofit organization empowering Oakland youth to grow their leadership, reimagine unjust systems, and organize for equitable public schools. Over the last 28 years, OKF has worked with thousands of youth leaders to change the future for students of color in Oakland - one campaign, program, and internship at a time. Recently, OKF youth organizers made history by co-authoring Oakland Youth Vote legislation and then campaigning for the historic passage of Measure QQ, which lowers the voting age to include 16 and 17 year olds in Oakland school board elections. Youth organizers have continued to advocate to implement this measure with fidelity since it passed in 2020, and are preparing to vote in the 2024 elections. This landmark fight to expand local democracy and build student political power was rooted in a desire for the school district to be accountable to youth as constituents, rather than treating them as subjects to be governed. Other recent youth organizing victories include saving and expanding the district’s Free Supper program to provide healthy after school meals to 3,700 low income students a day, and securing city funding to complete the school district’s central kitchen just in time to feed Oakland students throughout shelter-in-place orders during the pandemic. In addition to organizing work, OKF also provides East Oakland students with the support and resources necessary to successfully navigate their existing learning conditions to graduate on time and access postsecondary success after high school. OKF's community school initiatives include enrichment programs, in-school leadership classes, student internships, individual care management, dual enrollment courses and more. OKF’s youth leaders are powerful advocates for educational equity and racial justice, and you can help amplify and sustain their work with your generosity. Each year, OKF empowers 160 youth leaders, offers community school supports for an additional 575 students and engages thousands more through youth-led campaigns that build power for public school students across Oakland. Please sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media to stay connected!