Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for Oct. 31, 2024

Programs like Karma Club for Marin kids are inspiring

In these times with a divided electorate and many of us being on edge about global conflicts, I was pleased to read the recently published article about a new Karma Club program called FuturePrep (“San Rafael students offered free AP exams, college fees,” Oct. 18). It is exciting that Sally Newsom and Karma Club will offer a pathway for our youth to improve their future. Thanks to Newsom for her leadership for our children.

As a new employee at Community Action Marin focused on the “Economic Justice” program, I just learned about another program providing hope for the future. It’s called the California Kids Investment and Development Savings (CalKIDS) program. Learn more at calkids.org.

California residents who had children in public school from kindergarten through 12th grade through 2022 are eligible to receive up to $500 to invest in their children’s education. It includes both college and vocational programs.

— Mark Solomons, Fairfax

Marin Community Clinics group keeps focus on care

As the chair of the board at the Marin Community Clinics, I would like to comment on the article published Oct. 12 with the headline, “Marin Community Clinics leader resigns after 10-month stint.”

After the unexpected resignation of Dr. Farhan Fadoo, the board immediately began evaluating options for an interim CEO and engaging in the search for a permanent replacement. We are pleased that Kathie Powell, an experienced and capable clinic leader, agreed to join us as interim CEO. Powell has a proven record of leadership. Her experience, knowledge and connections will help MCC prepare for our next leader. MCC has strong and committed leaders, clinicians and staff. They are fully focused on providing and increasing access to high-quality care for the underserved in our community.

Another article published in the IJ (“Marin Community Clinics opens site at Vivalon in San Rafael,” Oct. 12) demonstrates this. We continue to have tremendous unmet needs in Marin and this clinic will address that by providing up to 7,900 visits per year. This site has a special focus on treating low-income adults. It will serve the adults who live at the Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus, as well as children and San Rafael’s unhoused population.

I would also like to give context to something mentioned in the first article. The strategic plan is a routine update. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, MCC is overseen by a federal agency, the Health Resources and Services Administration. MCC is required to update its strategic plan regularly, which we have always done. The plan developed and approved by the board contains ambitious goals for improving access, maintaining high quality care and supporting our staff and community. We look forward to sharing it with our supporters and the broader community.

— Dr. Nelson Branco, San Anselmo

Socialist group’s stance on housing is too extreme

I write in response to Curt Reis’ letter defending the Democratic Socialists of America’s position on the right of every renter to have a roof over their head as “more important than a landlord’s ability to maximize profits.”

I am frustrated that members of the DSA consistently refuse to acknowledge that there are senior citizens renting out rooms or accessory dwelling units in order to augment our income simply to be able to stay in our homes due to our financial insecurity. On occasions, I’ve even felt that they have made fun of our plight. This is an important group that should not be overlooked.

From my perspective, the name of the group is misleading. Supporting a socialist ideology does not mean supporting this DSA position from its 2021 national convention on housing: “We seek to counter the dangers (of the housing crisis) by building on the insurgent tenant movement, and further decommodifying housing and land. This can be done through canceling rent, closing eviction courts, and, as landlords exit the market, using state action to acquire private property and transform into public democratically controlled housing.”

I take this to mean that, by refusing to pay rent and closing the eviction courts (thus removing the landlords’ only lawful course of action to be paid their due rent), landlords will be forced to “exit the market” (I assume by putting property up for sale) which will then be bought up by the state for subsidized housing.

If that is not a forced redistribution of wealth, I don’t know what is.

— Liz Froneberger, Fairfax