We’ve been busy here at Waterside—and thanks to Rebuilding Together East Bay Network, WEBCOR, and a generous crew of volunteers, supporters, and interns, our campus is getting a whole new glow-up.
Over the past couple months, our community has come together to lay the groundwork for an exciting new chapter. Volunteers and friends helped design and build a gorgeous new outdoor kitchen and pergola, raised garden beds, and a thriving, food-producing garden, complete with fruit trees and vegetables. Our Berkeley Boathouse interns jumped right in, staining the raised beds to protect them for years to come. Danny Snyder of Snyder Home Improvements installed a brand-new café window and windows for Street Level Cycles at 84 and 90 Bolivar Drive.
This work wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of the Campbell Foundation and the Rotary Club, along with in-kind contributions from Arterra, Rebuilding Together East Bay, WEBCOR, If/Then, and Danny Snyder.
And we’re thrilled to share that a UC Berkeley Chancellor’s Grant is powering a special partnership with the Berkeley Botanical Garden and The Edible Schoolyard Project. Together, we’re launching a new urban gardening and healthy food program for youth interns and staff, including new paid internships focused on growing and preparing fresh food. We’re already harvesting zucchini, chard and plums and have been making delicious recipes with them! Thank you to Ava Community Energy for sponsoring our first growing season.
We’re also incredibly grateful to Tile & Stone Company, Silverado Contractors, BMC, and Jensen Landscape for their generous contributions and hands-on support in bringing our campus improvement project to life. From landscaping to construction expertise, these partners helped transform our space into a more functional, beautiful, and welcoming environment for everyone.
And thanks to funding from Altamont EAB, a new Climate Action Team will start in August—two new paid youth interns—will be leading the charge toward zero waste, including composting and sustainable practices on our new and improved campus.
We’re making sure that our growing space is more welcoming and inclusive for all.
And yes, Waterside Café is coming back soon. With a business plan and pitch deck developed by UC Berkeley Haas MBA students Michael Beltramo Lowe and Caitlin Kennedy, we’re ready to finalize a new café partner and relaunch barista training and youth employment opportunities for under-resourced youth.
We’re building more than just garden beds and pergolas—we’re building a stronger, more connected, and more sustainable community, and pathways to a bright future for the youth we employ. Stay tuned for more updates, coming soon.