Gwenifer Engram, who has been coming to the center since it opened, sends five of her children to the after-school art program, which meets twice a week. But the center does not focus only on programs for youth. It has become a center for community organizing that wasn't happening right in that neighborhood before, and it has brought resources to a community that was really in need. Nancy Nadel Oakland City Councilmember Marvin Martin records his visit to the clothing closet to get a suit to wear to church. A client uses the Prescott Center's drop-in business center to send a fax.
Clients can also use computers, a copy machine and a phone free of charge.
Residents can receive free donated clothing for their families twice a month from the closet. I have lettuce and bread that I'm taking home to my family. The center runs a food store that sells bread, canned vegetables and other dry goods at less than cost to members of the community. Love said that West Oakland residents have been trying to get a permanent local grocery store for years, but none have stayed for long. We don't have those types of retail services that are important when you look at a thriving community.