Youth Alive 2023-2024 Annual Report

DEAR FRIENDS OF YOUTH ALIVE, My name is Caheri Gutierrez. It is with great honor that I extend warm greetings to you through Youth Alive’s 2023-2024 Annual Report as a newly appointed member of the Youth Alive Board. Joining this incredible organization marks a significant milestone in my journey. I have experienced the devastating impact of violence firsthand. I worked tirelessly as a violence prevention educator through our Teens on Target program from 2011-2016. Now as an active community leader in Oakland, I am deeply invested in the transformative work that Youth Alive continues to champion.

I am inspired by the unwavering dedication of our staff and the tangible impact we have made in the lives of countless individuals. Our collaborative efforts have not only contributed to a decrease in violence, but have also empowered individuals to reclaim their narratives and envision a future free from the shadows of trauma. It is a testament to the efficacy of our community-based approaches to violence prevention.

I am thrilled to share a highlight that fills me with immense pride: my younger cousin, Edwin Galvan, a former Youth Alive client and TNT leader, was named our inaugural Hometown Hero fellow! His journey from surviving violence to becoming a beacon of hope and resilience encapsulates the essence of Youth Alive’s mission.

What we do is undeniably effective, however our work is far from over. We must continue to amplify the power of our community, dismantle barriers to essential services and care, and lead with intentionality and compassion. It is through collective action and unwavering solidarity that we will usher in a brighter tomorrow for generations to come.

In solidarity,

Caheri Gutierrez, Youth Alive Board Member

PROGRAM OVERVIEW Founded in 1991, today Youth Alive is Oakland’s anchor agency for violence prevention, intervention, healing and advocacy. Our programs are designed to enter the lives of those affected by violence at multiple stages of exposure: 1) Teens on Target (TNT), our youth leadership and violence prevention peer education program; 2) Caught in the Crossfire, the nation’s first Hospital-based Violence Intervention Program (HVIP), meets survivors immediately after a violent assault to discourage retaliation and provide support on their path away from trauma and back to school, work, and the community; 3) Pathways assists youth emerging from Juvenile Hall or at-risk for academic failure with intensive

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case management, life mapping and mentoring; 4) Violence Interruption, a team of credible messengers with experience in the streets of Oakland mediates conflicts between groups or individuals, defusing tense situations and finding solutions before the guns come out; 5) Khadafy Washington Project is our homicide crisis response program offering emotional, practical, and financial support to nearly 100% of families affected by homicide in Oakland immediately after a killing; 6) Counseling Services provides therapists trained in treating trauma, free of charge; 7) Advocacy for Change works with TNT youth leaders and clients from all of our programs to create and support strong public safety and equity policy at all levels of government.

DONATION IMPACT $50K runs one of our Teens on Target violence

$5K provides 10 gunshot wound survivors with

$25K helps 2 grieving families bury a loved one if

$1K covers a TNT student’s stipend,

$10K teaches 300 middle school students the

$250 amplifies the story of a survivor advocating

services proven to prevent re-injury, retaliation, and further violence.

prevention program sites for 6 months.

the state denies their appeal.

skills to talk a friend out of using a gun.

2023 EXPENSES

a critical first paycheck for many. for systemic change.

$ 6,466,145.07

19%

Programs & Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$5,281,728.90 (81%) Administration & Fundraising . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,184,416.17 (19%) 81%

2023 INCOME

$6,969,173.89

Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 5,170,094 (74%) Foundation Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$775,812.89 (11%)

6%

4%

4% 11%

Earned Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $242,205 (4%) Individual Giving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $446,753.11 (6%) Corporate Contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $240,971.30 (4%)

74%

In-Kind Contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $74,376.30 (1%)

Youth Alive accepts donations by mail or online. We welcome one-time gifts or monthly recurring donations.

Please also consider remembering us in your estate planning and becoming a member of our Legacy of Healing Circle.

Find out more at YouthAlive.org or email lgreenberg@YouthAlive.org

HOMETOWN HEROES | 3

PREVENTION TEENS ON TARGET

At Teens on Target (TNT), students from Oakland’s neighborhoods most affected by violence learn to honor their own stories, to use their experience to make change, and to teach their peers to prevent and avoid violence. TNT also provides work experience.

Paying students for developing violence prevention expertise and presentation skills reinforces the importance of their violence prevention efforts.

In the 2023-24 school year, TNT engaged 82 Youth Leaders who: presented 91 violence prevention workshops to 259 middle school students in 8 OUSD middle schools; participated in 66 community engagements; received 2380 hours of 1:1 mentoring from our staff of professional Violence Prevention Educators.

“

Programs like TNT make it their mission to educate and make sure students understand the root causes of violence so they feel empowered to change things.

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—Kendal Erving, TNT student

After our 2023-2024 program, among TNT youth leaders surveyed: » 100% believe young people have the power to reduce violence in their community » 100% understand the role that social media can play in instigating violence » 85% would talk a friend out of carrying a gun » 65% helped mediate a conflict in the last 6 months that would have led to violence

ADVOCACY FOR CHANGE To push for permanent, systemic solutions to the daily violence terrorizing our communities and city, Youth Alive’s Advocacy for Change (A4C) program raises the voices of those most affected by violence.

Through A4C, the Youth Alive family–including clients, survivors, program staff, and our Teens on Target youth leaders–address city, state and federal leaders to advocate for sensible policies that reduce community violence and that promote a public health approach to violence prevention. A4C works with violence prevention coalitions, proposes and analyzes policy, gives testimony to legislators, and conducts community outreach.

1. AB 28 YA! sponsored Assembly Bill 28 which created a permanent funding stream for violence prevention and intervention programs around California through an excise tax on firearms and ammunition, making California the first state to tax the firearm industry’s record profits to pay for violence prevention and intervention programs.

2. Medi-Cal We worked to implement AB 1929, which required the state of California to fund violence prevention services through Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid system.

3. Violence Prevention Funding Preserved in Oakland After Mayor Thao initially proposed a 22% cut to the Department of Violence Prevention’s budget, Youth Alive united with other violence prevention organizations and concerned citizens to call on the city council to restore DVP funding and avoid painful cuts to programs that provide critical services.

4. Meeting Oakland Leaders Three youth leaders attended the community swearing in of California Attorney General Rob Bonta

& also met Assemblymember Mia Bonta, District 7 City Council Member Treva Reid, and State Senator Nancy Skinner.

5. Barbara Lee & Supreme Court Reform YA! Policy and Advocacy Director spoke alongside Congresswoman Barbara Lee in calling for Supreme Court reform in response to dangerous rulings attacking commonsense policies designed to keep guns off of our streets.

6. Outside Lands We were invited to be a featured community partner at the Outside Lands music festival in San Francisco to highlight community-based solutions to gun violence.

7. Youth Voice One of our youth leaders was invited to speak at the California State Capitol by March For Our Lives, a national youth-led gun violence prevention organization, for a rally commemorating their 5th anniversary.

“

It is a privilege to support YA!’s work as a local chapter of Moms Demand Action and we admire the staff’s dedication to developing youth leaders, stopping retaliatory gun violence and providing counseling and other services to victims and survivors.

—Janie Dobbs, Volunteer in Livermore Valley Moms Demand Action

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INTERVENTION VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS In area teams, Youth Alive’s Violence Interrupters (VI’s) take to the streets of Oakland at all hours, responding to wherever violent conflict or escalation is brewing, to engage those involved, to bring alternative solutions, peaceful resolutions, and to defuse tensions before situations escalate to violence. VI’s are from the very communities and neighborhoods where they now work to save lives.

Most have worked in street outreach for years. Most lived the street life or spent time incarcerated. They understand the nuances of community conflicts, the barriers faced and the great promise of young people in Oakland’s most impacted neighborhoods. They are mentors, problem solvers and life savers.

“

In 2023, our Violence Interrupters: » Conducted 262 mediations and resolved 223 conflicts without further violence » Completed 207 safety assessments at hospital bedsides of shooting victims and 488 community safety assessments following a shooting or homicide » Relocated 48 families in danger to safety

Violence Interrupters provide an alternative outcome for conflicts in our community. An alternative to incarceration, an alternative to getting shot, or killed. We provide a way for both sides to come together, resolve differences, and walk away without losing face.

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—Antoine Towers, Violence Interrupter

CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE Through Caught in the Crossfire (CiC), the firstever Hospital-based Violence Intervention Program (HVIP), Youth Alive staff meet survivors of violence at their hospital bedsides to: 1. Convince them, their friends and family not to retaliate; and 2. Offer ongoing personal support focused on safety, healing and growth.

CiC Intervention Specialists–credible messengers of change recruited from the community we serve– address both the urgent need for violence intervention and the ongoing service needs of survivors, helping them get back to school, work and life.

In 2023, CiC: » Served 127 clients and an additional 46 received short-term crisis intervention » Of those 127, only 5% were reinjured » 89 received assistance in attaining Victim of Crime compensation » 46 received assistance with transportation » 30 received help with an education plan » 28 received assistance with translation/ interpretation from a bilingual staff member » 24 received housing assistance

PATHWAYS

Pathways is Youth Alive’s mentoring case management program for youth vulnerable for exposure to violence, on probation, or emerging from a period of incarceration.

Our model involves regular, consistent contact with a focus on positive adult attention and support.

In 2023, Pathways: » Mentored 24 youth, 11 of whom enrolled in school, 3 of whom completed probation » Supported 10 youth in attaining employment » Provided 17 youth with legal advocacy or court accompaniment

“

I work closely with Sasha, my case manager, who is helping support me to stay in school, finish my GED, and eventually reach my dream of becoming a carpenter.

Sasha really motivates me to stay on track and feel good about myself.

—Kevin S., Pathways participant

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INAUGURAL HOMETOWN HERO FELLOW:

EDWIN GALVAN “

A lot of people say it takes a village to raise a child, I didn’t understand this until I started working with Youth Alive. It was the first place that I was able to see community in action, where

everybody

had

the

same

common goals, despite all coming from different walks of life. We all held each other accountable for our village - I respected that the most.

I’ve now carried those lessons outside of work. I recognize how I play a role in society. Every action that I take has an impact on our community.

—Edwin Galvan

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EDWIN’S STORY REAFFIRMS OUR COLLECTIVE COMMITMENT TO AMPLIFYING VOICES, UPLIFTING OUR VILLAGE, AND BUILDING A FUTURE WHERE EVERY INDIVIDUAL CAN THRIVE.

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H E A L I N G KHADAFY WASHINGTON PROJECT The Khadafy Washington Project (KWP) sends crisis responders into the immediate aftermath of each Oakland homicide to support families and friends of the victim. Named for the murdered son of its founder Marilyn Washington Harris, KWP provides urgent help applying for victim compensation, planning funerals, relocation services, and emergency financial assistance. KWP staff and Youth Alive counselors hold regular healing circles for families of Oakland homicide victims.

In 2023, KWP Crisis responders served: » 133 families of homicide victims, including some outside of Oakland » 22 participants in 12 of Circle of Care healing

“

sessions and held 4 healing events

Jessica’s unwavering generosity, empathy, and understanding have been nothing short of a lifeline, and we cannot thank you enough for your help. It was at a time when we needed someone to lean on, to offer us guidance and compassion, and you stepped up without hesitation.

You provided practical advice, emotional support, and the resources we needed to navigate through these difficult times.

We’ll be forever grateful. We feel incredibly lucky to have met you.

—Mayra and Byron, KWP Family

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COUNSELING SERVICES Youth Alive mental health counselors take their therapeutic services into the field, meeting wherever survivors feel safe and comfortable. They provide community-based services in collaboration with our Intervention Specialists, who are trained in recognizing the symptoms of trauma that occur in survivors of violence. Youth Alive counselors assist each client in creating their own road map to healing and help guide them on this journey.

“

D. had his first counseling session with Angelina and he said it went well and he feels like they connected. He asked that I reach out and say thank you and of course, I want to say thank you as well. This is a huge step in healing for D. and our family which wouldn’t have happened if

In 2023, our counseling staff: » Served 75 clients » Provided 1,132 hours hours of services

it weren’t for Youth Alive. So much love and appreciation sent your way!

—Shira, Counseling Client family member

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YOUTH ALIVE STAFF Alia Glover, Community Leadership Liaison

Guadalupe Serrano, CIC Program Manager

Miguel Avila Torres, Community Services Program Manager

Angelique Quinley, Senior Writer

Hidemi Crosse, Finance Manager

Angie Teal, HR & Operations Director

Jaime Oseguera, Violence Interrupter

Nakaya LaForte, Violence Prevention Educator

Antoine Towers, Violence Interrupter

Janiesha Grisham, Violence Prevention Educator

Ayodeji Ewegbemi, Client Payment Specialist Camilo Velazquez, School Based Violence Interrupter Carla Ashford, Violence Interrupter Carlos Jackson, Intervention Specialist Chauncey Jackson, Violence Interrupter Damari Marsh, Violence Interrupter Darious Lewis, CIC Intervention Specialist Denay Harris, Development Associate Doral Myles, Citywide Violence Interrupter Eric Adams, Lead Violence Interrupter Ernest Ynostrosa, Intervention Specialist Gabriel Garcia, Policy & Advocacy Director

Jason Williams, Program Support Manager Jaymes Fitzpatrick, Violence Prevention Educator Jessica Segura, KWP Manager John Torres, Associate Director Joe Griffin , Executive Director Juan Cortez, Senior Violence Interrupter Keith Wesley, Violence Interrupter Kesse Taylor-Jenkins, Intervention Executive Associate Kimberly Carter, School Based Violence Interrupter

Nathan Sweasey, Mental Health Counselor Nicky MacCallum, Healing Director, LMFT, NCC Omari Sinclair, Senior Violence Interrupter Paris Davis, Intervention Programs Director Patrick Goodwin, School Based Violence Interrupter Phelisha Saffold, School Based Violence Interrupter Rafael Cortez, Bilingual City Wide Violence Interrupter Rhea Corson-Higgs, Mental Health Counselor

Lanisha Jones, Crisis Responder

Sasha Long, Pathways School Based Program Manager

Lauren Greenberg, Development & Communications Director

Sue Danne, Finance Director

Lizeth Torres Chávez, Office Manager

Gericka Frison, Intervention Specialist

Marilyn Harris, Family Support Liaison

Glen Upshaw, Violence Interruption Manager

MaryAnn Alvarado, TNT Program Manager

Gloria Morales, Crisis Responder

Mey Saelee, Administrative Assistant

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Nasir Bari, Violence Interrupter

Tiara Upshaw, Program Associate

YOUTH LEADERS Castlmont High School Andrianna LaFleur Angelica Ramirez Aron Jenkins Carlos Avalos Casey Powell D’mari Lee Davyonna Foster Deion Johnson Eric Ramirez Guillermo Dimas Jalesha Fitzpatrick Jalyn Simpkins James Wheeler Jesus Garcia-Ortiz

Jon Carlo Mendez Rodriguez Joshua Haynes Kambridge Gatlin Kenaiya Powell Khionti Massey Naijon Rodgers Navaeh Abdul-Salaam Troy Jackson Fremont High School Ashley Rodriguez Ayana Williams Delvis Martin Emily SanchezCristobal

Gabriela Perez Imanii Hogan Jennifer Fernandez Kayla Tran Ibanez Kendall Erving Kevin Romero Leslie Brown Magali Ramirez Melisa Rodriguez Noe Piceno Robert Celaya Ryjanae Attaway Samuel Oniah Sarai Bernstine Sophia Sanchez Cristobal

Yajaira Montano Skyline High School Aidan Canright Walker Anne Diby Atticus Pena Rager Benite Bazinga Darius Brown Dolkar Sherpa Etinosa Oghogho Evan Smith Hanzhi Wong Jack Probst-Bacchetti Jaleeya Freeman Jamani Henry Jamiiya Robinson

Janelle Harding Jniyah Birchett Johdi Watson Jordan Smith Komogodue Basgayoko London Price Marco Riggio Max Wendling Meliza Smith Syncere Wilson Torrian Coats Tyree Hopkins Zorina Guidry

BOARD OF DIRECTORS SARAH CHAVEZ YOELL BOARD PRESIDENT Executive Director, Government Relations and Community Relations Pacific Gas & Electric, Oakland ANGELA JENKINS VICE PRESIDENT Accountable Communities, Prisma Health, Greenville, SC

NADINE DE COTEAU Manager, Engagement & Partnerships Apple, Cupertino MICHAEL MUNSON Operations Manager, KTOPTV10, Oakland JOHN BLISS President, SCI Consulting Group, Oakland

ALISA DEWYS TREASURER Manager, Google, San Francisco

TRACY JENSEN Senior Services Administrator, City of Oakland, Oakland

STAN WEISNER SECRETARY Director Emeritus, Behavioral Health Sciences Department, UC Berkeley Extension, Oakland

DAVID MUHAMMAD Executive Director, National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform, Oakland

GILBERT SALINAS Chief Equity Officer, Department of Health Services, Contra Costa County, Martinez KYNDRA SIMMONS Director, Frontline Training/ Technical Assistance, Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (The HAVI), Berkeley

TNT Advisory Board Carlos Avalos Jalesha Fitzpatrick Khionti Massey Kenaiya Powell Angelica Ramirez Eric Ramirez Magali Ramirez Melisa Rodriguez Sophia Sanchez-Cristobal Emily Sanchez-Cristobal

CAROL LYNN THOMPSON Principal Counsel, Litigation, University of California, Office of the President, Berkeley CAHERI GUTIERREZ Communications and External Relations Director, The Unity Council, Oakland

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THANK YOU Roger Abraham Donna Abraham-Moldoff Deanna Abrams Kings Accountability Group Anna Akita Akonadi Foundation Alameda County Emergency Medical Services Department Alameda County Health Care Services Agency Alameda County Probation Department Alameda County Board of State and Community Corrections Alameda Health System Alameda Health Systems Foundation Meredith Alcala Kristin Aldrich Teresa Allen Renato Almanzor Priyanka Altman Fatima Amin Karrie Amsler Zoe Anderson Richard Anderson Lenore Anderson Gregory Archer Helen Archer-Duste Chelsea Arietta Emily Armstead Francesca Austin Kayla Authelet Brett Badelle Carol Badran Karin Bagot Saurabh Bajaj Michael Baker Chuck Baker John Balmes Kinkini Banerjee Bank of Marin Karen and Jeffrey Banks Banks Family Foundation Lindsay Barenz Rachel Barish Esteban Barnaby Peter Battaglino Ursula Batz Bay Area Community Resources Jessie Becker Marla Becker and Daniel Lipton Sara Bedford Gordon Beebe Sara Benjamin Meredith Benton Jodie Berger Bernard E. & Alba Witkin Charitable Foundation Yvonn Bernklan Carolyn Bernstein Annikka Berridge

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We are grateful to our supporters who make Youth Alive’s work possible. Special thanks to the members of our Community Circle (listed in green).

James Betts Saroj Bhattarai Stephanie Bickham Shefali Billon Jennifer Birch Lila Blanchard Hudson Blechman Teri Bleckner Mandela Bliss John Bliss and Kim Thompson Frank Block Block INC Zacary Blume Sallie Blytt Carol Bohnsack Ruth Borenstein Oriana Bosin Mark Bostick Nancy Bott Bowser Matthews Family Fund Michelle Boyd Laura Brandner Helena Brantley Eric Breitbard Hallie Brignall Sara Brody Ryan Brody Anna Brooks John Brown June Brumer Bryan Cave Leighton & Paisner Sean Buchanan Elinor and Evan Buchen-Miller Brad Buckman Elizabeth Buisker Susan Burns Bussolini Family Ryan Butler Marcus Byrd Linda Bytof Marilyn Cachola Lucey Deane Calhoun Bunce The California Endowment California Board of State and Community Corrections The California Office of Emergency Services California Victim Compensation Board California Violence Intervention & Prevention Grant The California Wellness Foundation Joan Cannon CARESTAR Foundation Neil Carman Ian Carpenter Catholic Charities of the East Bay Jessie Carr Sabrina Carroll Susan Casentini

Zachary Chan Tiffany Chan Mae Chan Sarah Chavez-Yoell and Mike Yoell Margaret Chavigny Thomas Chen Robin Chetkowski UCSF Benioff Childrens Hospital Oakland Children’s Support League Josephine Chiles James Chiles Simone Chou Dyanna Christie Whitney and Brett Christopoulos Nicole Churchill-Yip Vera Ciammetti City of Oakland, Human Services Department City of Oakland, Department of Violence Prevention Elizabeth Claman Michele Clark Karen Clayton The Clorox Company Foundation Judith Coates Nathalie Coeller Doris Cohen Patricia Colapietro Ray Colmenar Angela Colombo Comcast Noel Cook Christine Cooper Shannon Cosgrove Laura Costain-Simonson Shelise Cowan Ashley Cownan Margaret Coyne Zachary Craig Rory Craig Bruce Cribley Emily Cronbach Anne Cross Christina Cundari Carol Curtis Laura Cutrona Sonia Daccarett and Alex Bernstein Alyssa Damianakes Brian Danbury Sue Danne David L. Klein Jr. Fund Virgina Davis Fania Davis Monifa Dayo Nadine de Coteau Stephanie De La Melena Kay Decorah Donna DeDiemar

Cathy DeForest Kay Demattei Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention David DeSilva Alisa DeWys Kanwarpal Dhaliwal Griffin Dix Janie Dobbs Molly Doctors Rajashekhar Stephanie Dominguez-Walton and Zack Walton Martin Donaldson Michelle Dong Estelle Dong Briana Driver Missy Duffy Kelly Dumesnil Fiona Dunbar Sarah Dunn Norman Dupont Danielle Durie Brian Dye Marilyn Dykstra Eileen Ecklund Economic & Planning Systems Nina Eisenberg Elevate Youth California Heather Elgin Scott Ellis Kendra Elwood Aimee Eng Michael Enslow Epworth United Methodist Church Angeles Estelles Alfonso Estrada Michael Evans Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund Casey Farmer and Galen Wilson Stefanie Faucher Gianna Fazioli Judith Feins Nina Fendel Gladys Ferguson Daniela Fernandez Emily A. Filloy Florelyn Fine First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco Nick and Sally Fitzhugh Sharon Flanagan Carolyn Flannery Alicia Florin Ulla Foehr Anne Fogle Virgina Fontana Colette Ford Curt Forderer Louise Fortmann

Sabrina and Paul Foster John Fountain Pauline Fox Andreea Francis Aubrey Francisco Mary Frank Kathryn Frank Karen Frank Greta Frantz Julie Freestone Ariel Freilich Ari Freilich Genevieve Frisch Janet Frost Dalton Fusco Camie Gadda Katherine Gallagher Dorothy Galloway Ricardo Garcia-Acosta Stacey Gardiner Leonardo Garrido Paul Eugene Garrison Edward Gerber Kristin Germeroth Elissa Gershon Debalina Ghosh and Pradosh Mohapatra Raphael Gilbert Shira Gill Gagan Gill-Bhadare Chaim Gingold Emily Gische Jennifer Glenesk Sasha and Lynn Goldberg Roger and Beth Goldberg Golden State Warriors Sandi Goldsmith Bryson Gomez Rachel Gonzales-Levine Jon Gooblar Brendalynn Goodall Stephen Goodman Bill Goodykoontz Katherine Gordon Adia Goss Sharmila Grant Jonee Grassi Lynn Greenberg Lauren Greenberg David Greenberg Cary Greenberg Ryan Greene Roesel Brenda Grisham Aisling Grogan Steve Grouke Melissia Grover Anne Groves Nanci Gunning Caheri Gutierrez Angelina Gutierrez Rhoda Haberman Robert Hahn Dhanika Halili Joan Hall-Feinberg Nancy Halloran

Earl Hamlin Joyce Han Sally Hanley Heather Hanly Edward Hannemann and Anne Bodel Nathaniel Hanson Rita Hao Harbor Point Charitable Foundation Clara Hard Nancy and Roberto Haro Katherine Harris Hartley Family Foundation Angie Hartney Caitlin Hartsell Megan Hastings Howard and Pamela Hatayama Tracy Haughton George Hauser Paula Hawthorn and Michael Ubell Michaela Hayes Elise Hazlewood Heising-Simons Foundation Shon Henderson Julie Henig Laurie Herbert Isabel Herman Monica Hersch Julie Hess and Satch Slavin Cindy Hill-Ford and Roy Ford Kathryn Hill Deborah Hill Brianna Hill Alexandria Hilton Adam Hirsch Kathryn and Michel Hoffman Diana Honig Hope and Heal Fund Catherine Hsu Britta Huebsch Jeanne Hughes Lim Hui Ben Sally Hunter Jane Hunter Elise Hunter IFPTE Local 21 Paul Irving Stephanie Isaacson Susannah Israel Elizabeth Itz Karen Ivy J.Glynn and Co David Jackson Lareen Jacobs Clara Jaeckel Sauyeh Jahann Thea James Juliet Jamtgaard Nuriya Janss

Florence Jao Tracie Jeng Marcella Jenkins Angela Jenkins Tracy Jensen Jocelyn Jensen Gabriela Jimenez Noemi Johansson-Miller Dupinder Johl John Muir Health Sara Johns Dianna Jones Catherine Jones Desiree Jones-Rubin and Terrance Rubin Jean Josey Lisa K. Reyes Mandolin KaderaRedmond Kaiser Center for Gun Violence Research and Education Kaiser Permanente East Bay Kaiser Regional Northern California Patrick Kaliski Maya Kante Margie Kaplan Donna Kaplan Susan Karl Amanda Karl Naneen Karraker June Katzschner Karly Kaufman Katherine Keating Fred Kelley Leah and Jacqui Kennedy Dawn Kepler Lauren Kerr Alison Kewley Maryann KhindaLombardo Jane Khudyakov Morae Kim Kindling Foundation INC. Elizabeth King Audrey Kittock Tal Klement Beatrice Koehn Carl Kohnert Richard Kolbert Cinthia Konichi Paulo Stanton Koppel Isaac Kos-Read Jennifer Krajewski Elizabeth Kreitler Tasion Kwamilele Nicole Kyauk Susan Lakatos Monica Lamboy Lance Lang Caitlin Lang Ari Langer Nancy LaPaglia LaureL Foundation

Samara Leader Nicole Lee Brittney Lee Rochelle Lefkowitz Laurie Leiber Amy Leibowitz Kate Leist Alexander Lerman Cynthia Leung Shirley Lewandowski Victoria Lewis Ingrid Li Shelley Lieberman Madeline Lilley Shemika Lilly Maire Bridget LillyWalker Stephanie Lind Greg Linden Donna Linton Susan Liroff Lisker- Cohn Family Charitable Fund Mona Litvak Kathleen Livermore Pat Livingston Charlene Lobo Soriano Erica Lodish Meg Lord Thomas Loughran Ken Lupoff Yiyi Ma Nicola MacCallum Sung Makawatsakul Brian Malte Shelby Malvoso Stephen Mangum Jamie Marantz Marilyn Marco Allena Marco JoAnn Marks Chris Marks Anne Marks and Yara Herman Redge Martin Alexis Martin Arabella Martinez Marion Marx Jennifer Mason Anne Matarrese Everton J. Mates-Muchin Ken Maxey Mazdak Mazarei Marisa McCabe Claire McCabe Ann McDermott Sally McGrath Nan McGuire Katie Mckee Michael McLively Margret McNally Alisa McQueen Jan Medina Robin Meisel Pam Mejia Reya Merchant

Betsy Merzenich Michael Enea-Sal Enea O’Brien Fund Kyle Miller Kimberly Miller Cynthia Miller Corey Miller Donald Miller Trustee Kyle Milligan Jill Minkus Mitchell Kapor Foundation Jennifer MitchellJackson Kathleen Mohn Audrey Olushola Momoh Tina Monaco Glynn and John Glynn Luis and Kara Montes Estevan Morales Angela Morello Nancy Mueller Bergit Mueller David Muhammad Kelly Mulks Margan Mulvihill Michael Munson Ivette Murphy Narcisse Family Fund National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform Alex Navarro Howard Neal Julie Nesnansky New Hope Community Church Without Walls New Venture Fund Nancy Ng Stella Ngai Thu Nguyen Helen Nicholas Kirsten Niemeyer Irene Nishimura Shereda Nosakhare Joan O’ Lautenberger Jan O’Brien Jim O’Brien and Terri Bogucki Laureen O’Connell Kathleen O’Connor Oakland Kids First Oakland Firefighters IAFF Local 55 Jason Oberfest and Celeste Perron Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Rhiannon OLeary Adam Olivieri Kristin Olnes Leighanne Olsen Ann Opara Erica Orcharton Karely Ordaz Xaviera Ortiz Andrea Osgood Victoria Oswald

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Our Little LIght Foundation Outside Lands Works Fund PagerDuty Lizzie Palmer Karen Pandula Dana and Gary Paniagua Gary Parkhurst Kira Pascoe Susan Paul Chelsea Paul Renee Pawlak Perlita Payne Yindi Pei Jonathan Penn Karen Perkins Josep Peters PG&E Community Foundation Joseph and Christopher PiazzaMiller Linda Picchi Susan Pierpoint Catherine Pines Alexander Pinto Maria Pirner Dan Pitcock Economic & Planning Systems Robin Plutchok Camille Polk Niela Pomernacki Yolanda Ponce de Souza Virginia Potts Claret Presley Robbie Pressman Leah Price Amy Price Luke Pulaski Kamala Puligandla Dan Quigley Angelique Quinley Jacqueline Quintanilla Patrick Rabuzzi Wilma Rader Michele Ragon Lissette Ramirez Suero Yamini Ranchod Charles Rath Wanda Ravernell Jackie Ray SG Real Estate Carolyn Rebuffel Flannery Swarup Reddi Wesley Reed Krista and Chuck Reinhard Rebecca Rena Nick Resnick Ronald Rettig-Zucchi Kelly Reuba Maria Reyes Priscilla Rich Lynn Richards Timothy Richardson Nikole Richardson Laurel Rimon Anne Rizoulis Robert Roat

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Cheri Robertson Linda Robinson Aariel Rocha Kimberley Jebeles Rodler Sandy Rodriguez Lisette Rodriguez-Cabezas Rebecca Roelofs Rogers Family Foundation Mindie Romanowsky Alice Root Seth and Molly Rosen Helen Rosen Jessica Rosenberg Laurie Rosencranz Elaine Rosenthal Julia Rosof Becka Ross Weston Rowan Thea Runyan RYSE Center Beethoven Sabar Diane Sabin Jonah Sachs Gilberto Salinas Sarah Saltzer Roban San Miguel Ashley Sanders Jessica Sandow Baljeet Sangha Meilani Santillan Jill Saper John Sasaki Saunders Family Charitable Fund Nancy Schimmel Nancy Schneider Schnitzer Steel Industries Sarah Schroeder Patrick Schuck Katherine Schwartz Dalia Schwartz Cheryl Schwartz Rose Schweig Christine Scrivani Michael Sears Gino Segre Nolan Semrau Alana Shain David Shamszad Irene Shao Joani Share Tai Hua Chen Shartel Stanley Shavers III Jan Sherwood Diane Shields Stephen Shochet CynthiaShon Karen Shore Lauren Shub Carol Sicherman Sills Family Foundation Anya Silrerman Joe Silvera Victor Silvestre Kyndra Simmons

Rebecca Simon Patricia Simon Amy Simon Jane Slater Courtenay Slemeck Helen Smiler Ontario Smith Margot Smith Leslie Smith Andrew Snow Marit Sonstelie Valerie Sopher Judy Sorey Nancy Spade Carly Stadum-Liang John Stark Rachel Steinhart Kirsten Sterba Aislinn Sterling James Stevens Britnee Stevens Seth Steward Tara Stewart Robert Stott Mark Stuhr Jtwros Stupski Family Fund Jonathan Stynes Peter Sussman Sutter Health Tan Suwannukul Rick Swain Shira Sweitzer Mini Swift Community Symbol Juan Taizan Lynda Talgo Jennifer Tam Nicole Tamayo Veronica Tamsitt David Tang Target Corporation Kay Taylor Kathleen Taylor Angie Teal Elisabeth Teel The Blackbaud Giving FundPG&E The Oakland Fund for Children and Youth The San Francisco Foundation The Unity Council Mary Thompson Carol Lynn Thompson Thompson-Bliss Family Fund Together Rising Page Tomblin and Dan Wilson TOMS Shoes Mitchell Torczon Caitlyn Toretto John Torres Rebecca Tracy Jennifer Tran Tom Trent Janet Trzesniewski Veda Tsoi Philip Ttee

TTSP Charitable Giving Fund Anita Tung Universal Music Group Taskforce for Meaningful Change Natalie and Ijah Valenzuela Theresa Vallez-Kelly Peter Van Wesep Karen Van Zant Rafael Vaquerano Jonathan Velez Sandra Venning James Venturini Mini Verna Visa Visa Erwin Vista Lisa Wagner Janis Wagner Shelley Waits Preston Walton Tracy Ward Sandy Weil Anita Weil Karen Weil and Mark Morris Emily Weinstein Stanley and Constance Weisner Sonja Weissman West Davis & Bergard Foundation Melissa Wheeler Jim Whitty Sara Wichner Claire Wilkens Audronė Willeke Judith Willging Jennifer Williams Irina Williams Ali Williams Dana Williamson Dan Wilson Matthew Wilstein Angie Wolf Laurie and Jim Wolfe Gerald Wolfe Michael Wong and Daniel Tsao Jenny Wong Rose Works Cliff Worley Christopher Wozniak Robert and Sandra Wright Richard Wright Kathryn Wysong Dianne Yamashiro-Omi Joseph Yang Gary Yee Caroline Yee Judy Young Andrea Youngdahl Youth Together Patricia and Chris Zaballos Steven Zatkin Zellerbach Family Foundation

YOUTH ALIVE SAVES LIVES. JOIN US. YouthAlive.org/Donate

HOMETOWN HEROES | 17

“EVERYBODY’S LITTLE BROTHER” Jaleel was deeply loved, cared for, and wanted.

Raised from the age of two by his Godmother and legal guardian Renita Joseph, who was effectively his mother, Jaleel’s early life was marked by challenges.

His birth mother struggled with addiction, and his father, overwhelmed by the situation, turned to Renita, his ex-wife, for help. It was a good move.

Renita’s family welcomed Jaleel with open arms, making him an integral part of their lives. His siblings adored him, and he quickly became known as “everybody’s little brother.”

Jaleel was bright and talented, leading to his recruitment into a new Oakland charter school in seventh grade. However, his emotional pain and frustration began to surface, driven by the absence and broken promises of his birth mother. At the charter school, he faced challenges adjusting to his peers’ more affluent backgrounds, which led him to steal money from a classmate, though he still managed to make the honor roll. At McClymonds High, he struggled at first but improved his grades, determined to prove his capabilities. Then he got into trouble, leading to stints in Juvenile Hall. Each time he returned home, he seemed more angry and depressed.

The year 2020 was particularly violent in Oakland.

On a sweltering Monday in September, Jaleel attended a vigil for a recently murdered friend.

He didn’t tell Renita. He knew that she knew that vigils themselves could be dangerous places and sites of retaliation. Renita, at home, felt a strange

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restlessness, repeatedly checking if Jaleel had forgotten his key. Later that night, she received a devastating call: Jaleel had been shot. That’s all they knew. Urgently, the family gathered at Highland Hospital, only to learn that Jaleel had been shot in the head. Jaleel was dead.

The immediate aftermath plunged them into a dark hole of grief and trauma. YA!’s Jessica Segura, part of the Khadafy Washington Project, provided crucial support, helping the family navigate the immediate crisis, including applying for victim compensation to cover funeral expenses. Renita and Jessica remain close, a testament to the lasting impact of such support during unimaginable loss.

One day, shortly after his death, Renita found a book: 3000 Questions About Me. Jaleel had answered many of the questions. There were questions like, What is the best thing about having a girlfriend and What is your greatest fear, to which he answered, “Dying young.”

Nearly four years later, Renita is able to smile when she tells stories of life with Jaleel, of teaching him to drive, of convincing him to jump in a hotel swimming pool in his underwear, of road trips to Pismo Beach for his sister’s birthday. Renita participates in YA!’s Circle of Care, a support group for mothers who have lost children to gun violence.

Circle of Care is also an opportunity to help, to guide and reassure. “It allows me to step out of my grief when I can help someone just beginning.”

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Youth Alive 3300 Elm Street Oakland, CA 94609 510.594.2588 | mail@YouthAlive.org | YouthAlive.org