Lincoln featured at Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group (DACAG) Meeting
Gilbert Gong, the Director of the Lincoln Recreation Center for Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development, spoke as part of a panel of community leaders and stakeholders and participated in a discussion on Resiliency Hubs and their Challenges at the August 18, 2023 Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group (DACAG) Meeting.
“I think we’re all in agreement. Resilience hubs are critical and we need more of them. ”
Gong participated in a specialized panel discussion on community resilience hubs alongside representatives from the Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN), the City of Oakland, the East Oakland Collective, and PG&E.
The Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group (DACAG) is an 11-member body that advises the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
Its primary purpose is to ensure that California's transition to clean energy, pollution reduction, and a net-zero carbon economy is equitable, inclusive, and directly benefits environmental justice, rural, and tribal communities.
During his presentation, Gilbert presented on utilizing local municipal infrastructure—specifically using the Lincoln Recreation Center as a model— to serve three critical community functions: climate mitigation, climate adaptation, and community social cohesion. He advocated strongly for long-term state funding to scale up these shared resilient spaces.
As a result, the committee passed a letter of support at the following September meeting.
This panel followed a tour of the park and center that was attended by members of the California Public Utilities Commission, California Energy Commission, and Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Groups, Senator Skinner, and representatives from Council President Bas and Assemblymember Mia Bonta’s office.