BOCA is comprised of 18 diverse Berkeley congregations of faith who work together to challenge the inequities of our society that promote poverty, separation, and fear. We come together over issues of education, immigration, health care, community safety, housing, and poverty.


We are actively working on encouraging parents of Latino and African American backgrounds to be engaged in their children's public school experience through informational forums. We have successfully implemented a streamlined process for Berkeley's 800+ uninsured children to enroll in affordable health insurance. We strongly support the Cover All Children Campaign and SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program) in an effort to gain health care coverage for all children.


In response to a wave of violence against youth, we have been meeting with Mayor Tom Bates and other city officials to urge new dialog in regard to youth outreach programs for Latino, African American, and other under served communities. As a result there is now youth program at the West Berkeley Senior Center that was created by BOCA youth together with Mayor Tom Bates.


As a result of Immigration raids and the struggle for a just immigration reform, BOCA has held several immigration forums to inform the community about their legal rights. At these forums people have the opportunity to consult with expert immigration lawyers about individual cases. BOCA is also hosting Citizenship classes to encourage Residents to become citizens and exercise their right to vote.