History

In November 2004, executive director, Dagmar Serota, was watching Reading Rainbow with her four year old son.  The episode was about homeless children and a New York City-based non-profit organization that works in schools to inspire kids to help their local community.  Dagmar was so inspired by the organization that she decided to create her own non-profit to teach children that they could help locally, every single day, by becoming advocates for causes they care about.

Good Cents for Oakland incorporated in April 2005 and earned 501(c)3 tax-exempt status that July.  The organization finished its inaugural program at Duck’s Nest Preschool in August 2005, making its first grant to St. Mary’s Center, a preschool serving children from homeless and very low-income families.  In October 2005, Good Cents piloted its elementary school program, the Penny Roundup Program, in the fifth grade at Emerson Elementary School. 

In the fall of 2008, Good Cents formed an Educational Advisory Committee (EAC) of teachers and administrators from participating schools.  The EAC assists with program development and provides Good Cents with feedback on its California state standards-based classroom enrichment and program format.

In 2009, Good Cents made an important change in its elementary school program.  In response to failing economy and increased need in Oakland, Good Cents asked its schools to focus their grants solely on organizations serving people.  Students and teachers embraced this change and raised a record $12,000 in grants for Oakland non-profits, including East Oakland Food Pantry, the Henry Robinson Center, East Oakland Community Project and the Alameda County Community Food Bank.

The pre-k/kindergarten program has evolved into a six week Hunger Program, introducing younger children to the problem of hunger and the work of the Alameda County Community Food Bank through stories, songs, and art.

Good Cents for Oakland now serves over 2,000 children at 10 Oakland schools, helping students make grants to Oakland-based non-profit organizations.  In just four years, children participating in the Penny Roundup and Hunger programs have become community activists and have raised over $35,000 for Oakland non-profit organizations.  Good Cents and its community partners also organize community outreach events in Oakland to give families the opportunity to help the community.

Good Cents for Oakland is proud to have received recognition for its work. The organization received the Alameda County Community Food Bank's "Hope not Hunger" award in September 2007 and our executive Director, Dagmar Serota, was awarded the AT&T/ENERGY 92.7 "Community Spotlight" award in May 2008.  In October 2008, Dagmar Serota was awarded the prestigious Jefferson Award for Public Service.  Jefferson Award video

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