What is OSS?
Oakland Student Service (OSS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on providing grassroots solutions to address inequalities in our communities.
OSS was founded in 2022 and has since expanded across California and the country, bringing the Oakland spirit everywhere we go!
Our mission is to bridge the gap between those needing service and those looking to serve to connect communities nationwide.
Past
OSS was founded on January 5th, 2022, by two students at Oakland Technical High School looking to help the local community in a fun and refreshing way. What started as a school club quickly became a local phenomenon with involvement from over a dozen schools and a thousand volunteers.
Our pilot event, Dimond Day of Service, took place on March 5th, 2022 with support from over 250 volunteers, almost 100% of which were students. In the following years, OSS led over twenty different events and initiatives, serving tens of thousands in the Oakland community and beyond.
Present
Currently, we are working on expanding our national presence, establishing chapters in Los Angeles and Washington, DC, in late 2024, followed by chapters in Berkeley and Orange County in 2025.
Our flagship chapter in Oakland remains strong, still led by Oakland high schoolers and implementing creative new programming through the “OSS 2025” initiative and new “change the world” form.
Future
OSS is considering expansion opportunities in California, Texas, Washington State, New York State, and Mexico. We aim to open 10 chapters by the end of 2025, each contributing to its local community in dynamic and diverse ways.
Our ultimate goal is to create an ecosystem that spans endless communities, where anybody interested in service can tap into OSS expertise, resources, and networks to complete grassroots community projects in their city.
How Can I help?
The work we do at Student Service Corp (Oakland Student Service) is made possible by our generous donors and extraordinary community partners. Please consider donating to help us spread our message from Oakland to the world!