Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency

Institutions from around the city of Berkeley are providing assistance to those in need this holiday season — filling hearts, minds and stomachs.

The city of Berkeley launched its one-year secure storage pilot program Monday, providing 58 lockers for homeless individuals.

Contract negotiations between the California Professional Employees Union and one of their employers — Berkeley nonprofit Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency, or BOSS — remained unresolved after the union refused to sign the new fiscal year contract during an unsuccessful mediation Sept. 27.

Berkeley City Council will reconvene Tuesday to discuss various agenda items, including increasing city affordable housing, expanding city homeless shelters and public campaign financing.

The City Council restored funds to a number of South Berkeley nonprofits and homeless services Tuesday after proposed cuts drew criticism from many members of the public at this council meeting and the one prior.

On some nights, at 5:59 a.m., homeless individuals are known to congregate around the border of People’s Park, waiting out that last minute until the curfew is lifted when they can re-enter the campus-owned grounds they call home.

In the conclusion of a weeklong symposium on poverty and homelessness, students from a diverse coalition of campus service groups rallied at Sather Gate Friday for minimum wage reform.

A man who was often seen on the streets in downtown Berkeley was found unresponsive on Thursday with no indication of foul play.

Berkeley City Council took the first vote of two to pass an ordinance that proposes new standards and zoning amendments for homeless shelters at its meeting Tuesday.