It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Gail Steele – founder of Eden Youth and Family Center (EYFC) and longtime Hayward community advocate – passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday evening, June 25, 2020.

A stalwart engineer of powerful and compassionate services to meet the emotional and physical needs of struggling children, youth and adults for over 40 years, Gail was a passionate advocate of incredible integrity, powerful conviction, and thoughtful kindness.

Through her leadership, tenacity and capacity to inspire Hayward community leaders and residents, Eden Youth and Family Center (EYFC) was founded in 1977 to offer services to the underserved children, youth and their families in the Eden Township/Hayward area. She served tirelessly on the EYFC Board, still actively engaged as President until her passing. Her focus on engaging with community and investing in local assets never wavered.

She also dedicated 18 years as a member of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District 2 (serving Hayward, Union City, Newark, Sunol and Fremont). Gail was honored in 2012 by Alameda County Health Care Services Agency Behavioral Health Services with the dedication of the Gail Steele Wellness & Recovery Center, located at 409 Jackson St. in Hayward. The building is occupied by three behavioral health programs including the South County Crisis Response Program (CRP), the Geriatric Assessment Response Team (GART), and a satellite office of the Family Education and Resource Center (FERC). The site is also host to a variety of trainings and educational events.

There is much more to say about her legacy, and we will be working with her family to provide an adequate public memorial service once it is again safe to gather together as community. The family has asked that donations in her honor be directed to EYFC, or if you prefer, please remember her through a contribution to a favorite charity of your own.

Our deepest gratitude to all of you who admired, respected and loved Gail. Our deepest condolences to her family and friends. We will continue to honor her memory through our continued commitment to the Hayward community.

Respectfully on behalf of the EYFC Board, staff, families and youth,

Karen Halfon/Executive Director

Paul Frumkin III/Board Vice President