3B Public Hearing 2007 0507 - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 3, 2007 Honorable Mayor Santos: I am writing this letter in support of rezoning for religious assembly use the building owned by Faith Fellowship Worship Center located at 14600 Catalina Street. I have been a resident of San Leandro for over 35 years. I graduated from Pacific High School. I have lived in Washington Manor for 20 years. I worked as a Substitute Teacher for San Leandro and San Lorenzo Unified School Districts. I also helped to start the A WOL after school program at John Muir Middle School. I have been involved with Washington Manor Junior League, Crusaders Football, Washington Manor Elementary School, and Arroyo High School Football. I have been a member of Faith Fellowship Worship Center for 6 years. I have worked in the community for over 10 years partnering with elected County Officials and local organizations to provide social services to needy families. I have seen many changes in our beloved city from the family oriented 60' s to our current influx of transient residents, rise in crime and lack of academic support. These recent changes have had a negative impact on San Leandro's ability to draw and keep residents who are committed to building a safe and friendly community. Many residents who have been here for generations have been relocating "over the hill" to the communities of Pleasant on, San Ramon and Dublin. They are choosing these communities because they provide a sense of safety, quality programming, high end business and exceptional school districts. We are losing dedicated community members because we do not have enough infrastructures to attract, sustain, build and change the face of the community of San Leandro. According to the San Leandro Times at your first State of the City address you spoke about diversity, economic development, redevelopment projects, affordable housing, and public safety. You stated your goals in San Leandro were to expand our cultural, social and economic values and to keep San Leandro a strong community. As we turn the comer and begin to build on your vision for the future of San Leandro we need to take into consideration those existing orgltni7~tions that for years have been committed to attaining these goals. Faith Fellowship Worship Center is one of those unique diverse organizations, a rare jewel in San Leandro. The church serves the local community with dynamic faith based programming that attracts, encourages and builds community, self esteem, and self sufficiency. The church is attended by over 1,400 local residents on a regular basis. The Youth Ministry serves 300 local youth and is one of the fastest growing ministries for young people in the Bay Area. Faith Fellowship Worship Center continues to grow and expand due to quality faith based programs and dedication of service to the surrounding community. Programs like Celebrate Recovery a renowned ministry for people struggling with addictions and compulsions is attended by 6910cal residents. Weekly Bible studies are offered to women who have been incarcerated and are in local transitional programs for re-entry into the community. Faith based counseling, life skills training, workshops, marriage seminars, health and wellness information for all ages,