OAKLAND, CA — June 2026 — BANANAS, a nonprofit organization that supports families, caregivers, and child care providers to help ensure young children are prepared for success in school and in life, is proud to announce the opening of its new Eastmont resource center at 7200 Bancroft Avenue, Suite #135, Oakland, CA 94605.
Located in Eastmont Town Center, the new site reflects BANANAS’ longstanding commitment to East Oakland families by bringing services closer to the community. The Eastmont location offers a welcoming, accessible space where families can get help finding child care, enrolling in subsidized child care programs, joining parent education workshops and playgroups, and connecting with resources for young children. Child care providers can also access training, support, and professional development opportunities at the new site.
BANANAS has long served East Oakland families from its Claremont Avenue headquarters and through prior satellite services in the Havenscourt neighborhood. The Eastmont Town Center location is the next step in that work: a dedicated community-based space where families can more easily walk in, ask questions, and get support close to home. Located at a major AC Transit hub and accessible by public transit, car, or walking, the center is designed to make BANANAS services more convenient and visible to families throughout East Oakland.
To celebrate the opening, BANANAS will host a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the new Eastmont location. The event will bring together families, child care providers, community leaders, partners, and elected officials to mark this important milestone.
“Opening at Eastmont Town Center means families can reach BANANAS easily—whether by public transit, by car, or on foot—and in a location close to other services many of our families already use,” said Kym Johnson, CEO of BANANAS. “This new space gives us a central place for playgroups, parenting workshops, community meetings, and activities for our youngest learners and their caregivers. We hope the ease of access will lead to greater use of our services, greater visibility in the community, and an opportunity to connect with families who may not yet know BANANAS and the support we offer.”
“This new location gives BANANAS a wonderful opportunity to be closer to the families and providers we serve,” said Makinya Ward, Board Chair of BANANAS and CEO of Kids Konnect Infant Centers and Preschools. “It gives us a space where we can be more accessible, provide educational programming, connect families with services, and support parents and caregivers in the most important job there is—raising children. I’m excited that we will be in the community in a more visible way and seen as a place families can turn when they have questions or need support raising young children.”
The Eastmont center officially opened its doors on June 1, 2026. Families with young children, caregivers, child care providers, and educators are invited to visit the new space, meet BANANAS staff, and learn more about the organization’s programs and services.
About BANANAS
Founded in 1973, BANANAS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports families, caregivers, and child care providers to help ensure young children are prepared for success in school and in life. BANANAS provides child care referrals, payment assistance programs, workshops, playgroups, coaching, and support groups for families across Northern Alameda County. Through its work with families and providers, BANANAS helps connect children to quality care and supports the adults who care for them.
For more information about BANANAS and its programs, please visit www.bananasbunch.org.
Media Contact
Adrienne Duncan
Manager of Development & Communications
adrienne@bananasbunch.org
www.bananasbunch.org
