THE BAY AREA URBAN NETWORK IS AN OAKLAND BASED URBAN YOUTH PROGRAM WHOSE MISSION IS TO BRING HOPE BACK INTO THE LIVES OF OAKLAND'S YOUTH. OUR PLAN IS TO PLACE FOUR YOUTH DIRECTORS IN EACH OF THE SEVEN DISTRICTS OF OAKLAND, DIVIDING EACH DISTRICT IN HALF. THESE DIRECTORS MEET WEEKLY TO PLAN AND STRATEGIZE ON REACHING THEIR VARIOUS COMMUNITIES. THIS YEAR WE ARE BUILDING A COALITION OF OAKLAND CHURCHES AND CHURCHES FROM OUTSIDE OF OAKLAND TO COMBINE RESOURCES OF MONEY AND VOLUNTEERS TO:1. RESOLVE RACIAL CONFLICT BY CREATING EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND PROVIDING RATIONAL ALTERNATIVES TO THE VIOLENT GANG LIFE.2. PARTNER WITH OAKLAND SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE COUNSELING AND TUTORING.3. PROACTIVELY ADDRESS ISSUES WITH SOLUTIONS.4. PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUTH TO MEET FOR WORSHIP AND RECREATION.