Jordan Jones
Jordan Jones a leader, an all-around athlete. Worked three years in advocacy work, supporting undersevered communities. One of my purposes is to make the world a better place and get one percent better every day. A youth came to me and said I was his motivation. Seening you can come from less fortunate communities and prosper/ elevate through higher education & work = his overall goals stability.
A Dean’s list student. First in family to receive a degree ( AA ) from city College of Sf now chasing another degree at SF state.Multiple scholarship award winner nominee. Born and raised in San Francisco. A native through four generations. once a youth terrorizing sf streets now here to replenish is what led me the path I’m going now as a youth leader / mentor. Fellow Youth leader alumni intern graduate.
Larissa Candance Thornton
Larissa Candance Thornton is a Bay Area native who is committed to serving her community. She has been a volunteer at Glide Memorial for over 10 years and is currently participating in the Social Justice Academy Fellowship. Larissa has overcome battles with addiction that nearly, stole her life and is now proud to be rehabilitated back, into society. Larissa has gained a lot of compassion for others during her experience and is seeking to become as advocate for the impoverished and disabled members of the community. Larissa is currently attending the City College of San Francisco and is majoring in social work. Her goal is to use her lived experience to help those that are in the same shoes as she was. Larissa is employed at the tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation where she assists members in low-income housing. Larissa is also a certified community health worker through Code Tenderloin. She is dedicated to giving back, the same hope and love that was given to her through her work. Larissa credits God and her recovery community Positive Directions Equals Change and Narcotics Anonymous, along with her loving family and supportive friends for her success so far in life.
Ajanae Adams
Catherine White (Kat)
My name is Cat White, and I am from San Francisco. For over 20 years, I’ve worked with women facing mental health and substance abuse challenges, helping them find strength, healing, and hope. My work is deeply personal. I lost my sister to AIDS at a young age, and everything I do is a way of carrying her with me and honoring her life. I believe everyone deserves to feel loved and supported-no matter their sexual orientation, race health status, or past.
I co-wrote a research paper in 2008 focused on sexuality education with incarcerated women, and that experience shaped my passion for education and advocacy. Since then, I have continued doing outreach in my community-feeding people during Thanksgiving, giving out Christmas bags, and organizing blanket drives for those experiencing homelessness.
Now I am ready to grow that work into something bigger. My goal is to open a transitional home for young adults struggling with homelessness, mental health, HIV, and substance use. I want to create a space where people feel safe, seen and valued.
Even If I must start alone, I’m committed to making a difference in my community.
Ruth D. Dawson
I am Ruth Dawson, a Cal State Eastbay University Criminal Justice Administration, Corrections & Alternatives 2017 Graduate. A CA Real Estate Agent, helping people achieve home ownership and building communities. Mandated Court Reporter, Former San Francisco Police Operator & San Francisco Police Dispatcher.
Volunteer Services 4+ years – City of Martinez/Bay Church Homeless Shower/Clean Clothes Program w/Noralea Gipner, former Vice Mayor of Martinez.
Currently – Glide Memorial Church, Center for Social Justice. Mother of 4 adult sons, grandmother of 5 grandsons and 1 granddaughter, great-grandma of 1 great-granddaughter.
All my life I have come face to face with or made aware of social justice issues that have occurred one after another. This injustice, repeated behaviors, led me straight to college, graduating with aspired intentions to receive my JD, Juris Doctorate law degree. My goal was to become a civil rights or criminal defense attorney. I carry a rooted faithful foundation, and belief in what God can and will do! I have always stood on and survived from firm family values and morals. All of which have held me up during challenging times in my life.
Overall, I am just a concerned humanitarian exhausted with the sufferance people are forced to face in the presence of adversities and injustices. In realization that work still needs to be done, as of today social justice issues have only gotten worse.
Sunshine King
Sunshine is a dedicated Community Health Worker with over five years of experience supporting diverse and underserved populations. With a strong foundation in community-based care, Sunshine has worked closely with individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use challenges, trauma, and mental health disorders. Through her training and hands-on experience, she has developed the ability to meet people where they are, offering compassionate support, practical resources, and culturally responsive care that empowers individuals to move towards stability and improved well-being.
Drawing from her own lived experiences and overcoming a challenging background, Sunshine brings authenticity, empathy, and deep understanding to the work she does. Her personal journey fuels her commitment to advocacy, particularly for marginalized and minority communities who often face barriers to healthcare, housing, and opportunity. Sunshine’s resilience and determination have shaped her into a powerful voice for those who are frequently unheard, and she is passionate about creating pathways for healing, empowerment, and equity.
In addition to her professional work, Sunshine is a proud mother, student, mentor, and musician, balancing multiple roles while continuing to grow both personally and academically She is driven by a lifelong passion for helping people who are less fortunate and believes strongly in the power of community, mentorship and second chances. Sunshine’s long-term goal is to expand her impact as an advocate and leader who uplifts communities, inspires change, and helps others recognize their own strength and potential.
Regina Wells (Rashida OJI)
Regina Wells (Rashida Oji), Pronouns: Universal, is a singer, healing arts practitioner, and educator with a BA in Physical Education and graduate theology studies. She has dedicated her life to the one true religion: love. A founding member of Linda Tillery & the Cultural Heritage Choir, Rashida draws on diverse religious and spiritual traditions—including Catholicism, Lukumi, AME, Buddhism, Qigong and Woman-Centered Spirituality—to uplift and heal. Trained in the Rosen Method, she brings breath and body awareness to her work at GLIDE, offering compassionate presence. Regina’s journey from hardship to self-love inspires her commitment to transforming suffering into strength and fostering community healing.
Amari Rivera
Amari Rivera is a Bronx-born, Oakland-based advocate pursuing a Master of Public Policy at Mills College, Northeastern University. With a professional background spanning reproductive justice, community outreach, and social science research, Amari’s work thrives at the intersection of advocacy, the arts, and holistic health education.
My professional focus is the study of how the built environment, and the policies that shape it, directly influence the reproductive health and autonomy of marginalized communities.
Amari joined GLIDE’s Social Justice Academy to bridge the gap between grassroots service and systemic change.
As a multi-hyphenate artivist, she is dedicated to using lived experience and collective power to fuel social justice initiatives. Through the SJA, Amari looks forward to learning about legislative processes and community-rooted research tools to advocate for inclusive health access. When not working toward policy change, Amari enjoys writing, solo traveling, and recharging on long nature walks.