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Sara’s story is about learning how to give herself the same care, grace, and support that she has always given to others. Originally from the Sacramento area but with roots in Dallas, TX, she came to the Bay Area to attend University of California, Berkeley, where she began studying public health and building a new [...]

Allison is a Bay Area native who’s dedicated her life to empowering individuals in educational and community settings. Growing up as an introvert with social anxiety, she understands it is challenging to break the cycle of fear and avoidance. Growing up, Allison was acutely aware of her introverted nature. She preferred the company of books [...]

Drs. Chris and NNeka Harrison are Oakland natives, educators, researchers, and community leaders who have dedicated their work to supporting healing, leadership, and human-centered care in Alameda County. Through higher education, nonprofit leadership, and community based work, they have focused on helping future professionals serve others with empathy, self-awareness, and purpose. Their work is rooted [...]

Ian Gathu’s story is one of growth, healing, and giving back to the community. Through his work at the Health and Human Resource Education Center (HHREC), he proudly serves individuals and families throughout Alameda County, including Oakland, San Leandro, and surrounding communities. Ian began working with HHREC in December 2023 as a Peer Navigator supporting [...]

James Cook’s life began with challenges that most people don’t face until much later in life. Losing his mother young and surviving the upheaval of Hurricane Katrina shaped him before he even had a chance to figure out who he wanted to become. In the middle of fear and uncertainty, he learned how to stay [...]

I am writing to express my deep gratitude for the impact that HHREC has had on my personal, academic, and professional journey. I began interning at the agency when I was a senior in high school. At that time, I was still trying to figure out my future and felt hesitant about going to college. [...]

When Regina was 16, while volunteering as a camp counselor she was hit by a falling tree. The accident resulted in a traumatic brain injury. She experienced physical and cognitive issues such as headaches and memory issues. Her recovery was difficult and she developed mental health challenges from PTSD.  Her mother Carole wanted to support [...]

Joseph Badiali knows how hard life can be when you don’t have hope. During high school he lived in Hayward at his grandmother’s house. He has fond memories of living there but it was also a time when he experienced a mental health crisis and at twenty years old found himself arrested and in the [...]

Leah Biruk is 20 years old and the daughter of Ethiopian immigrants. Family and culture are very important to her life. She is currently majoring in public health to learn more about health disparities within low-income neighborhoods and what can be done to help these communities. Leah plans on becoming a doctor and feels having [...]

Barbara Howard willingly accepts her assignments. Her belief in a higher power, being connected to God and knowing that something exists greater than herself has guided her for over twenty years of helping others in the community. “My Lord, my ancestors, my family and friends help keep me going. I truly believe I was born [...]