Effective Date: March 23, 2023

Last Revised: August 26, 2025

1. Introduction & Purpose

1.1 These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern participation, services, and engagements with the Oakland Women’s Center (“OWC”).

1.2 Purpose. OWC is a nonprofit social impact hub providing advocacy, wellness, empowerment, and trauma-informed care. These Terms ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance with regulatory and ethical standards.

1.3 Definitions. “Participant” refers to individuals or families receiving services. “Supporter” includes donors, sponsors, volunteers, and partners. “Services” refers to advocacy, training, case management, and community support programs.

1.4 Updates. OWC reserves the right to update these Terms, with notice provided via website or email.

2. Scope of Services

2.1 OWC provides trauma-informed counseling, advocacy, family support, wraparound care, youth leadership development, and workforce empowerment services.

2.2 Exclusions. OWC does not provide emergency medical treatment, legal representation, or financial investments. Referrals to third-party providers are for informational purposes only.

2.3 Customization. Services may be adapted to participant needs based on intake assessments and available resources.

2.4 Limitations. OWC cannot guarantee specific outcomes, as progress depends on participant cooperation and external systems.

3. Participant & Client Responsibilities

3.1 Accuracy. Participants must provide accurate and complete information during intake and throughout services.

3.2 Cooperation. Participants agree to engage with OWC staff, case managers, and volunteers respectfully and in good faith.

3.3 Compliance. Participants must comply with applicable laws, child welfare requirements, and court-ordered services when relevant.

3.4 Non-Interference. Participants may not obstruct service delivery or engage in abusive, threatening, or harmful conduct.

4. Donations, Sponsorships, & Contributions

4.1 Voluntary Contributions. Donations to OWC are voluntary, non-refundable, and may include money, goods, or professional services.

4.2 Transparency. OWC provides receipts, donor acknowledgment, and annual impact reports in compliance with IRS and state regulations.

4.3 Restrictions. Donations earmarked for specific programs must be honored accordingly unless otherwise approved.

4.4 Sponsorships. Corporate sponsorships must be formalized through written agreements outlining expectations and recognition.

4.5 Scheduling. All donation drop-offs must be scheduled in advance. OWC does not permit unscheduled donation deliveries to its sites.

5. Confidentiality & Data Protection

5.1 Confidentiality. OWC maintains strict confidentiality for participant information, subject to mandatory reporting laws.

5.2 Privacy Laws. OWC complies with HIPAA (health data), FERPA (education records), ADA (accessibility), and CPRA/GDPR (privacy rights).

5.3 Security. Data is safeguarded with encryption, access restrictions, and secure storage.

5.4 Exceptions. Confidential information may be disclosed when:
• Required by law or court order
• Necessary to prevent imminent harm
• Reporting suspected abuse or neglect as required by law

5.5 Retention. Records are retained for at least seven years, then securely destroyed unless subject to ongoing legal holds.

6. Intellectual Property

6.1 Ownership. All materials developed or delivered by OWC, including curricula, handouts, graphics, presentations, and digital resources, remain the sole property of OWC unless expressly transferred in writing.

6.2 Participant License. Participants may use educational materials for personal growth and household benefit only. Materials may not be redistributed, sold, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission.

6.3 Third-Party Content. Some programming may include third-party content. Such content is subject to its own licensing terms.

6.4 Enforcement. OWC reserves the right to take action to prevent misuse or infringement of its intellectual property.

7. Partnerships & Affiliates

7.1 Partnerships. OWC collaborates with schools, nonprofits, government agencies, and private sponsors to deliver services.

7.2 Independence. Each partner remains legally independent. Partnerships do not create agency, joint venture, or employment relationships.

7.3 Financial Agreements. Partnership agreements may include negotiated contributions or cost-sharing terms, documented in writing.

7.4 Disclaimer. OWC is not liable for errors, omissions, or misconduct by independent partners or affiliates.

8. Limitation of Liability

8.1 Maximum Liability. To the extent permitted by law, OWC’s liability is limited to the amount of fees (if any) paid by a participant.

8.2 Excluded Damages. OWC is not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including emotional distress, arising from participation in services.

8.3 No Guarantee. While OWC strives to deliver meaningful outcomes, success cannot be guaranteed due to external and systemic factors.

8.4 Legal Rights. These limitations do not override participant rights under consumer protection laws.

9. Indemnification

9.1 Duty. Participants and partners agree to indemnify and hold harmless OWC, its officers, employees, volunteers, and affiliates against claims, liabilities, damages, or expenses arising from:
• Misuse of services or materials
• Breach of these Terms
• Violation of law or third-party rights

9.2 Survival. These obligations continue after termination of services.

10. Force Majeure

10.1 Definition. OWC is not responsible for service delays or failures due to events beyond reasonable control, including natural disasters, pandemics, strikes, utility outages, cyberattacks, or government orders.

10.2 Notification. OWC will provide notice of delays or cancellations as soon as feasible.

10.3 Mitigation. OWC will make reasonable efforts to reduce the impact of such events.

10.4 Extended Events. If disruptions last more than 60 days, either party may terminate obligations without penalty.

11. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

11.1 Jurisdiction. These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California.

11.2 Federal Law. Where federal law applies, including HIPAA, FERPA, and ADA, OWC complies with federal requirements.

11.3 Venue. Disputes shall be resolved in Alameda County, California, unless arbitration applies.

12. Dispute Resolution

12.1 Mediation. Parties agree to attempt mediation in good faith before pursuing arbitration or litigation.

12.2 Arbitration. If mediation fails, disputes will be resolved through binding arbitration in Oakland, CA under the AAA rules.

12.3 Litigation. Litigation may proceed only if arbitration is unavailable or if injunctive relief is needed.

12.4 Class Action Waiver. Participants waive the right to participate in class actions against OWC.

13. Amendments & Modifications

13.1 Right to Revise. OWC may update or amend these Terms at any time.

13.2 Notice. Participants will be notified of material changes via website announcements or email.

13.3 Acceptance. Continued use of services after updates constitutes acceptance of revised Terms.

13.4 Retroactivity. Amendments will not apply retroactively to disputes that arose before the effective date.

14. Termination of Services

14.1 Participant Termination. Participants may discontinue services with written notice.

14.2 OWC Termination. OWC may suspend or terminate services immediately for:
• Non-cooperation or repeated violations of rules
• Abusive, harmful, or illegal behavior
• Breach of these Terms

14.3 Effects. Termination does not relieve participants of responsibilities such as returning borrowed materials.

14.4 Ongoing Duties. Confidentiality and indemnification obligations survive termination.

15. Volunteer, Intern & Staff Conduct

15.1 Code of Ethics. Volunteers, interns, and staff must adhere to OWC’s ethical standards and confidentiality requirements.

15.2 Non-Discrimination. All representatives of OWC must provide services without discrimination based on race, color, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or religion.

15.3 Liability Shield. Volunteers acting within scope are covered under OWC’s liability protections.

15.4 Discipline. Violations of OWC policies may result in removal from duties.

16. Telehealth & Remote Support

16.1 Scope. OWC may coordinate telehealth, advocacy, or remote wellness sessions via HIPAA-compliant platforms.

16.2 Consent. Participants must provide informed consent for telehealth or digital services.

16.3 Responsibilities. Participants are responsible for maintaining privacy, equipment, and reliable internet connections.

16.4 Limitations. Telehealth is not a substitute for emergency medical treatment or legal representation.

16.5 Risks. Risks may include interruptions, technical failures, or breaches outside of OWC’s control.

17. Accessibility & Non-Discrimination

17.1 Policy. OWC does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age.

17.2 ADA Compliance. Facilities and services are accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

17.3 Reasonable Accommodation. Requests for accommodation should be made in advance.

17.4 Title VI Compliance. OWC ensures no individual is excluded from participation in programs receiving federal funding.

18. Compliance Statement

18.1 Laws & Standards. OWC complies with HIPAA, FERPA, ADA, CPRA, and other applicable laws.

18.2 Oversight. Compliance is monitored internally and subject to external audits by regulators.

18.3 Accountability. OWC leadership is responsible for maintaining compliance and reporting violations.

18.4 Transparency. Policies and compliance reports are available to participants and donors upon request.

19. Donor Rights & Fundraising Compliance

19.1 Rights. Donors have the right to transparency, acknowledgment, and impact reporting.

19.2 Restrictions. Donor contributions must be used as designated unless otherwise approved.

19.3 Regulatory Compliance. OWC complies with IRS, California Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts, and other regulators.

19.4 Sponsorship Agreements. Corporate sponsorships are formalized with written agreements outlining recognition and obligations.

20. Contact Information

Oakland Women’s Center (OWC)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 510-756-5700
Address: 1900 Powell Street, Suite 700, Emeryville, CA 94608
Mailing: PMB9101, 1999 Harrison Street, Oakland, CA 94612
Business Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–6 PM PST

Appendix A — Glossary of Key Terms

HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act
CPRA: California Privacy Rights Act
GDPR: General Data Protection Regulation (where applicable)
10DLC: 10 Digit Long Code for text messaging compliance
SLA: Service-Level Agreement

Appendix B — Service-Level Agreements (SLA)

Response Times: General inquiries within 3 business days; urgent matters within 24 hours.
Escalation: Issues may be escalated to OWC leadership.
Continuity: Backup plans exist for telehealth, advocacy, and community programs.
Confidentiality: SLA commitments integrate with privacy protections.

Appendix C — Partnership Model

Partnerships may include negotiated contributions or cost-sharing. OWC may propose structured contributions to sustain programs, subject to written agreements.

Appendix D — Disclaimers

Affiliate Disclaimer: OWC may recommend affiliates or partners. Any benefits will be disclosed.

External Links Disclaimer: OWC is not responsible for third-party content linked on its website.

Testimonial Disclaimer: Testimonials reflect personal experiences. Results may vary.