Happy June, Everybody!
This June marks two years for me as Executive Director at Waterside Workshops. Time flies when you’re working hard and having fun! Like most adventures, it’s been both a bumpy road and a really rewarding experience at the same time. At Waterside, we learn resiliency as we face a lot of challenges while also finding levity and joy. Over the past two years, we have survived lengthy and debilitating construction, we have grown our community, and we have made significant campus improvements—with more to come. Waterside’s programs are running strong, I’ve come to know some very special interns and staff, and I feel fortunate to be part of such a positive community.
We’ve met major benchmarks in our mission to engage youth and the community through hands-on learning in bicycle mechanics, wooden boatbuilding, and outdoor education. Waterside is a safe place for youth to feel heard, gain confidence, develop work skills, and access the tools and resources needed to lead healthy, sustainable lives.
We stabilized Street Level Cycles with support from the City of Berkeley last July, and we have been able to maintain our programming for youth interns while also running a successful used bicycle shop. Our magnificent Street Level Cycle mechanical staff have processed thousands of donated bicycles and have built thousands of bicycles, diverting them from the landfill while also teaching youth interns the ins and outs of bike mechanics. We have participated in many community events across Berkeley, held our own weekly open shops, and gone on fun trips and adventures with interns and staff.
The Berkeley Boathouse has been busy with boat building and supporting campus improvement projects through teachable moments. We are planning a beautiful installation for our Polynesian outrigger Kanoe (canoe) under a hale (pergola) on the shore of the Waterside Cafe, slated to reopen in the near future.
Thanks to generous support from the Campbell Foundation and in-kind contributions from Arterra, Rebuilding Together East Bay Network, WEBCOR, If/Then, and Danny Snyder, we’ve made exciting upgrades to our campus—including new windows, a food-producing garden, and an outdoor kitchen. A UC Berkeley Chancellor’s Grant is also enabling a unique partnership with the Berkeley Botanical Garden and the Edible Schoolyard Project to launch an urban gardening and healthy food program for our interns and staff, including new paid internships for youth. Additionally, funding from Altamont EAB is supporting a year-long Climate Action Team—two paid youth interns who will help us move toward zero waste, including composting efforts.
We are actively working to reopen Waterside Cafe soon. Thanks to Michael Beltramo Lowe and Caitlin Kennedy, two UC Berkeley Haas School of Business graduate students, we have a business plan and pitch deck for a cafe partner. Our space will soon be ready, and we will be able to bring back barista training and employment for more under-resourced youth.
We initiated the now annual partnership with the City of Berkeley Department of Parks, Recreation and Waterfront to bring back the Berkeley Aquatic Park Winter Youth Festival, in addition to our Kids Bike Giveaway. This year’s festival on December 13 is going to be over the moon!
Behind the scenes, Waterside has laid critical groundwork for the future. This year, we completed a theory of change, a three-year strategic plan, and formalized our deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice—outlined in our updated policy. Our Board of Directors has begun strengthening its practices, starting with a self-assessment tool from UC Berkeley to guide priority-setting and adoption of best practices. We’ve also been fortunate to receive expert coaching from powerhouse volunteer Joan Beltran-Franey, who supported our strategic planning process. In addition, all staff are now certified in wilderness first aid.
Despite this progress, we continue to face serious funding challenges. Some anticipated foundation grants did not come through, and a pending request to the City of Berkeley remains uncertain. Looking ahead, we’re preparing for the loss of $250,000 in foundation support as a longtime funder sunsets in 2026. We are actively working to replace this critical funding—because without it, every one of our programs is at risk.
Our mission and impact speak for themselves: 100% of our youth participants successfully take the next step in their lives, whatever that may be. We’ve helped young people secure housing, find jobs, access food and transportation, and pursue their education—supporting them at a pivotal point in their journey. We know this work is making a difference, which is why we’re confident in seeking continued funding support.
If you have any leads or connections that could help sustain this life-changing work, please reach out. With your support, we can continue to uplift under-resourced youth and bring vibrant community benefits to the City of Berkeley and beyond—through our used bike shop, wooden boating programs, community garden, and soon, a youth-run job training café at Aquatic Park.
I hope to see you soon on our campus at our annual Community Cookout from 4-8 pm on August 16, 2025 and/or at the Land and Sea Party at the Live Oak Community Center in Berkeley on September 13, 2025!
Peace, love and understanding,
Rebecca