Panther


SURVIVAL PROGRAMS

Programs of Survival



The Black Panther Party instituted or envisioned starting all of these programs as part of a process to help African Americans and other oppressed peoples meet their basic necessities so that they might organize to acquire the resources for self-determination and empowerment.

Some of these programs still exist or were models for many of today's human and community service programs.

  • GEORGE JACKSON MEDICAL CLINIC

    Provides free medical treatment and preventative medical care for the people.
  • THE SICKLE CELL ANEMIA RESEARCH FOUNDATION

    Established to test and create a cure for Sickle Cell Anemia The foundation informs people about Sickle Cell Anemia and maintains an advisory committee of doctors researching this crippling disease.
  • PEOPLE'S FREE DENTAL PROGRAM

    (Being implemented) Provides free dental check-ups, treatment and an educational program for dental hygiene.
  • PEOPLE'S FREE OPTOMETRY PROGRAM

    (Being implemented) Provides free eye examinations, treatment and eyeglasses for the people.
  • PEOPLE'S FREE AMBULANCE PROGRAM

    Provides free, rapid transportation for sick or injured people without time-consuming checks into the patients' financial status or means.
  • FREE FOOD PROGRAM

    Provides free food to Black and other oppressed people.
  • FREE BREAKFAST PROGRAM

    Provides children with a free nourishing, hot breakfast every school morning
  • FOOD COOPERATIVE PROGRAM

    Provides food for people through community participation and community cooperative buying.
  • INTERCOMMUNAL NEWS SERVICE

    Provides news and information about the world and Black and oppressed communities.
  • PEOPLE'S FREE COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

    Provides free job-finding services to poor and oppressed People.
  • SHOE PROGRAM

    (Being Implemented) Provides free shoes, made at the People’s Free Shoe Factory, to the people.
  • PEOPLE’S FREE CLOTHING PROGRAM

    Provides new, stylish and quality clothing free to people.
  • PEOPLE'S FREE LEGAL AID AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

    Provides legal aid classes and full legal assistance to people who are in need.
  • FREE BUSING TO PRISONS PROGRAM

    Provides free transportation to prisons for families and friends of prisoners.
  • FREE COMMISSARY FOR PRISONERS PROGRAM

    Provides imprisoned men and women with funds to purchase necessary commissary items.
  • SENIORS AGAINST A FEARFUL Environment (S.A.F.E.) Program

    Provides free transportation and escort service for senior citizens to and from community banks on the first of each month.
  • PEOPLE'S COOPERATIVE HOUSING PROGRAM

    Provides, with federal government aid, decent, low-cost and high-quality housing for Black and poor communities.
  • PEOPLE'S FREE PLUMBING AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM

    People’s Free Plumbing and Maintenance Program Provides free plumbing and repair services to improve people’s homes.
  • FREE PEST CONTROL

    Free household extermination of rats, roaches and other disease carrying pests and rodents.
  • PEOPLE’S COOPERATIVE HOUSING PROGRAM

    Provides, with federal government aid, decent, low cost and high quality housing for Black and poor communities.
  • OAKLAND COMMUNITY SCHOOL

    Provides Black and other oppressed children with a scientific method of thinking about and analyzing things. This method develops basic skills for living in this society.
  • LIBERATION SCHOOLS: FREE MUSIC AND DANCE PROGRAMS

    Provides children free supplementary educational facilities and materials to promote a correct view of their role in the society and provides support for the Music and Dance programs of the Oakland Community School.
  • CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

    Provides 24-hour childcare facilities for infants and children between the ages of 2 months and three years Youth are engaged in a scientific program to develop their physical and mental facilities at the earliest ages.