Founded in 2001, the West Oakland Community Collaborative (WOCC) emerged from a shared vision among nine West Oakland–based community organizations, with early support from The San Francisco Foundation and Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson. The WOCC was established to strengthen collaboration among its founding members by providing technical assistance and capacity-building support, enabling organizations to work together more effectively in service of the West Oakland community.

The nine founding organizations include: Prescott-Joseph Center for Community Enhancement, Inc.; People’s Community Partnership Federal Credit Union (now Self-Help Federal Credit Union); SISTERS (now Serenity House); St. Vincent’s Day Home; the McClymonds/7th Street Initiative; George P. Scotlan Youth and Family Center; Regional Technical Training Center (now Bay Area Business Roundtable); the Coalition for West Oakland Revitalization (led by Queen Thurston); and the Institute for the Advanced Study of Black Family Life and Culture (founded by Dr. Wade Nobles). Additional key partners during this formative period included Jubilee West, DeFremery Park, and St. Patrick Catholic Church.

Today, the WOCC has evolved into a broad collaborative that brings together organizations serving West Oakland to address a wide range of community priorities, including homelessness, affordable housing, employment and entrepreneurship, food security, health care, youth and family services, and community safety.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Chris Nguon, the WOCC is pivoting to becoming a 501c3 non-profit in 2026 and currently focuses on three core areas: the revitalization of historic 7th Street, the monthly convening of the WOCC partner organizations, and health and wellness initiatives that support families and residents.

WOCC members are united by a shared commitment to collaboration, grounded in the belief that collective action creates greater impact than working alone. Together, we form a vibrant network dedicated to advancing the well-being and resilience of West Oakland.

The West Oakland Community Collaborative is a fiscally sponsored project.