The East Oakland Boxing Association teaches life lessons to disadvantaged youth in Deep East Oakland.

Those lessons also include how to survive in tough times with a funding shortfall of nearly $200,000.
 
In an effort to advertise its services to the larger community and interest new volunteers and donors for its successful long-term programs, the association - EOBA - recently held an Open House for the community.

EOBA has provided programs for youth ages 5-20 since 1987, when it was founded by boxing champion Stanley Garcia. Over the years, it attracted strong board members like Frank Rose, who was a pillar of the East Oakland  community. In the last four years, both Garcia and Rose have passed away, as well as head boxing trainer Paul Wright. That has led to a drop in volunteers and funding, according to EOBA board member Michael Biczynski.

One goal of the Feb. 8 Open House was to raise the organization's profile in the community.  

"We added a couple of board members since December and we are looking for a couple more," Biczynski said. "We are particularly interested in board members with finance, fundraising or educational backgrounds."

“The EOBA is an important part of this community and if we had to close our doors, it would be devastating to many people," said East Oakland native Sarah Chavez, the organization's new executive director. "In addition to the year-round free programming we provide to children and youth, we also hold a monthly food distribution for the community."

EOBA and its SmartMoves program include academic enrichment, health and nutrition info, organic gardening, physical education and leadership training for youth. The physical education has included boxing, Asian martial arts and self-defense for women. All of this is reflected in the colorful murals that cover EOBA's headquarters just west of BART and San Leandro Blvd.

EOBA youth interns wrote a grant in 2009, which received funding from Youth Grants for Youth Action to initiate the "Urban Fresh Gardeners" project. This funding allowed for the purchase of a greenhouse to develop an organic plant-start business. EOBA youth now currently sell low-cost vegetable, herb and flower plant starts for aspiring urban home gardeners.

EOBA also holds a monthly food distribution that benefits more than 200 low-income families. Youth volunteers from the association were prominent participants in the MLK Day of Service at Allen Temple and helped with the cleanup in areas west of International Blvd.