While the protests advocating for social justice and racial equality have been powerful and inspiring, some have coopted the movement for their own personal gain. Looters and vandals have caused millions of dollars in property damage ­– overwhelmingly impacting many small businesses who were already struggling due to the pandemic shut-down.

Senior Project Engineer and long-time Oakland resident Yasha Ghaffarzadeh watched in disbelief as significant damage was done to downtown Oakland area amidst the protests.

“It really upset me that all the damage was taking away from the message that the protesters were fighting for to convey,” he explains. “Sadly, a lot of America is unable or unwilling to see the difference between the protesters and the rioters/looters.”

Outside of his work at Webcor, Yasha serves as the head coach of the Oakland Warthogs Youth Rugby Program, where he helps inner-city kids with academic tutoring, career development, and mentorship while playing rugby.

“I thought that with whatever little influence I have within the Oakland and rugby community, I needed to do something,” he recalls.

Yasha immediately got to work, calling for volunteers by posting videos and sharing messages through social media.

The response was immediate from volunteers and businesses alike – with some companies providing tools like brooms, shovels, trash-pickers, trash bags, paint removers, and gloves. Yasha took it upon himself to purchase painting supplies and reached out to a friend who owns a screen-printing shop (Brand Marinade) to provide t-shirts and face masks that volunteers could handout to homeless residents.

Over a forty-five volunteers from the rugby program & community pitched in on June 6th for the first volunteer effort in Downtown Oakland. Webcorians including Project Managers Ryan Hoyt and Megan Zahnow were among the volunteers who came for the day to help out.

The team worked for hours, cleaning graffiti, fixing damages, and collecting enough trash to fill two 5 CY dumpsters.

“For those wondering how they can help the movement, I really encourage people to get out there and do something – even if it’s small!”