at urban compassion project, we’re working to address illegal dumping, environmental neglect, and the needs of our homeless neighbors holistically, because all of these things are connected. people deserve clean, safe neighborhoods, access to basic necessities, and a community that actually shows up for them.
since january 2025, alongside 5,000 volunteers, we’ve cleared more than 1.7 million pounds of illegal dumping across oakland, berkeley, and the surrounding bay area. we bring volunteers together to tackle areas that have been neglected for years, from waterways and public spaces to encampments where people are constantly being dumped on and then blamed for the conditions around them. we work with the people living there, building relationships and making sure our cleanups support the community.
we also do weekly distributions of food, water, clothing, hygiene supplies, pet food, and other essentials to people living in encampments. we’ve supported thousands of people this year through those distributions. showing up consistently helps us understand what people need and build the trust that makes longer-term support possible.
that same approach led us to open compassion threads with our partners, a free clothing store and community space in downtown oakland. we’re getting clothing into the hands of people who need it, keeping usable items out of landfills, and bringing life into an otherwise underused storefront. nothing is for sale, ever.
between august 8 and september 16, compassion threads welcomed 365 guests, distributed 2,012 clothing items, and diverted 1,563 pounds from landfills. among the people we surveyed, 69% reported food insecurity, 65% reported housing insecurity, and 56% weren’t living in a home they owned or rented. among those who reported their income, half earned less than $15,000 a year and 90% earned less than $50,000. these numbers show how much need exists, including among people whose struggles aren’t always visible.
alongside this immediate work, we’re pushing for systemic change: better access to waste disposal, greater public works capacity, accountability for illegal dumping, and investment in neighborhoods that have been repeatedly overlooked. we’re also working toward more beautification and urban farming projects to help keep cleared spaces cared for and discourage dumping from returning.
we do this with a small team, volunteers, community partners, and grassroots donations, without city funding. our goal is to connect immediate relief with long-term prevention, so the work we do each week helps build healthier neighborhoods and a community with the capacity to keep showing up for one another.
