Providing Resources to Families in Need

2022 Q3

Matson recently donated $5,000 to Oakland’s East Bay Agency for Children (EBAC) as part of its commitment to supporting community programs focused on social equity. The agency was initially formed in 1952 by a group of Alameda County families who wanted their emotionally challenged, developmentally disabled children to receive “the same educational and recreational opportunities which contribute to the physical well-being and social growth of all children.”

After identifying a program model, the group created the Berkeley Activities Center, the first “day treatment” program west of Chicago. It succeeded for 30 years before reforming as the East Bay Activities Center, Oakland Day Treatment, and eventually the East Bay Agency for Children. Matson’s contribution will support multilingual, culturally relevant, and trauma-informed services provided at five Family Resource Centers (FRCs) for individuals and families struggling with poverty, grief, and distress in Alameda County. It will ensure basic needs and supportive services to disrupt incidents of hunger, homelessness, and health disparities among low-income children, youth, and families.

EBAC’s programs help children, youth, and families recover from trauma while building resilience to protect against long-term harm from past or future exposure to adversity. Matson has been a supporter of the organization since 2006.