June 15-17, 2011: Oakland Local is publishing a three-part series by contributing editor Jennifer Inez Ward -- an in-depth look at Oakland's continuing budget crisis.

Synopsis: Five years into a devastating financial downturn, Oakland is struggling to both sustain itself and set about on a financial recovery. If Oakland is ever to get back on its feet it must find long term solutions to jobs, crime, and education -- problems that have plagued the city for decades. Oakland Local will examine both the financial challenges facing the city and possible solutions offered by the city's youth, social service groups, education leaders, and government officials.

• Part 1: JOBS AND YOUTH (June 15): On the road to recovery, Oakland will need to find jobs for youth and those underemployed. Whether Oaklanders, particularly young residents, can get living wage jobs will be a major test of any economic recovery. We speak to youth, experts in the field who say more investment in (local) jobs is a major key to recovery.
• Part 2: STABILIZING OAKLAND SCHOOLS (June 16): Like the city of Oakland, our public school system has been rocked by financial woes for several years. Everyone agrees that no city recovery will be complete without the financial fortunes of public schools improving. The district and the city are betting on new partnership structures to help communities and students improve their fortune. We interview school principals, education officials, and community organizations about this important issue.
• Part 3: CRIME AND RECOVERY (June 17): Crime continues to be an albatross around the city's neck and is interwoven deeply in other challenges such as poverty, education and economic opportunity. With major budget cuts continuing to affect social services and the city's police department, Oakland will need to battle both the perception and the reality of city crime. Many believe that if Oakland effectively deals with city crime it can have a glorious economic recovery. We speak to Oakland police, education officials, and city leaders about what it will take to turn things around.

Here are additional resources for this series:

• Oakland Homicide Risk Factors

• City of Oakland Budget Facts 2011

• Oakland Youth Homicide Study 2011

• OUSD Financial Picture 2011