Statement from PUEBLO People United for a Better Oakland

Statement from PUEBLO

March 22, 2004



PUEBLO, People United for a Better Oakland, is a community organization dedicated to improving the lives of all people in Oakland. PUEBLO is known for its significant contributions is areas such as Environmental Justice, Public Safety and Police Accountability, and leadership development among youth in Oakland.

A little over a year ago PUEBLO announced to the community that we were in severe financial straits. Since that time, the members of PUEBLO have been working to regain the financial health of the organization.

Despite these efforts, as of March 5th we no longer had adequate funds to pay salaries and were forced to lay off our paid staff.

PUEBLO is a community based organization whose greatest strength has always been the work of its members. While we seek new avenues to regain our financial health, PUEBLO members continue to do the work to which we have been dedicated for the past fifteen years.

We are very fortunate to have the assistance of members of the community who have agreed to be members of a transitional board. They are committed to our values and will help us to structure the organization and its work for the future. You can expect an announcement about the transitional board shortly.

We are aware that many members of our community have questions about PUEBLO and how it is moving forward. We will keep you informed to the best of our ability as our process of restructuring and recovering financial health unfolds.

During this difficult time, we are counting on the support of our members and of all those who struggle for a better Oakland.

Please contact Vildred Dawson, our Board President, or Gwen Hardy, our Board Treasurer, at the PUEBLO office if you are able to assist us in our transition or with our financial difficulties.

PUEBLO can be reached at, 510-452-2010.

Information about upcoming meetings and actions and about ongoing campaigns -- as well as organizational updates -- will continue to be available here on our web site at http://peopleunited.org.

Thank you for your support .

Vildred Dawson, President, PUEBLO Board of Directors

Gwen Hardy, Treasurer, PUEBLO Board of Directors