Who We Are

 

Read about how we are making resources accessible to all communities HERE!

The Community Health Ambassador Program (CHAMP) is comprised of individuals who are compassionate, resilient, and committed to promoting resident-driven health initiatives, supporting resident empowerment, and leadership. They also serve as a feedback loop for the Community Wellness Program to provide the best practices within the Hope SF communities. 

The Peer Health Leader Program, now known as the CHAMP initiative, transitioned to San Francisco’s Department of Public Health in 2014. Since the Urban Services YMCA acquired the contract in June 2016, the program continues to thrive and positively impact Hope SF residents.  Within a few years, the team has grown from one director to a team of 16. The Community Health Ambassador Program is committed to creating health and wellness programs within the Hope SF communities, in addition to empowering Health Ambassadors as they become experienced Community Health Workers. 

 

 

Our Vision:

Our Urban Services YMCA Community Health Ambassador Program is committed to building equity through our diversity, inclusion, and engagement efforts. We work to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, ideology, income, national origin, race or sexual orientation has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.

Our Values:

Community

We choose to place people before program. The Community members are our foundation, without them, we would not be able to differentiate between the actual needs of the community and our perceived needs of the community. 

Diversity

We value diversity while understanding that difference and distance can create discord. We look to break down these barriers and get to know individuals in the communities we serve and to help them better understand our commonalities and differences. We strive to create an environment where all are welcome and supported regardless of their background. 

Collaboration

We strive to bring together individuals and organizations with different and complementary skills, resources, methods, and needs, for the purpose of mutual collaboration and community benefit.

Inclusion

We continuously strive to create a safe space within the communities we serve. We have an open-door policy and invite all community and San Francisco residents to partake in our initiatives, services, activities, and events.

Where We Are

The CHAMP Program’s Administrative Office is located near San Francisco’s Japan town, on 1426 Fillmore Street. The other four sites shown in the picture are HOPE SF’s Community  Wellness Centers, where our CHAMP Staff work and engage with our community.

 

Strategies for Community Engagement

  • Urban Mobile Wellness Outreach

  • Community-Based Focus Groups

  • CBO Networking & Collaboration

  • Door-to-Door Outreach

  • Phone Calls to residents

  • Referrals and/or word-of-mouth

  • Flyers

  • Workshops and classes

  • Community Events

  • Health Fairs

Collaborations

Collaboration has been key to building a strong community presence and providing effective and efficient services. Across the four Hope SF communities, we have been able to collaborate with many community partners and San Francisco organizations.

Organization Collaborations

  • Department of Public Health

  • Hope SF

  • Community College San Francisco

  • San Francisco Aids Foundation
     
  • Beats Rhymes & Life

People 

Tiffany Lee McDaniel

Social determinant of health expert originally from Los Angeles. Committed to addressing health disparities and advancing health equity in the most vulnerable populations. Relationship building and connecting with people from all walks of life is my superpower.

Peter Wagner

pwagner@ymcasf.org
Program Coordinator

Peter is from Michigan – ask him, and he’ll point to where he’s from on his hand. The Bay Area’s warmth lured him here in 2015, and since he’s been helping the YMCA create strong communities and growing the skills of people who call San Francisco home.

Dante Casuga

dcasuga@ymcasf.org
Site Manager - Alice Griffith

As the Community Health Ambassador Program Coordinator at Alice Griffith’s Community Wellness Program, I  began my career in community work advocating for workers’ rights as a Union Organizer at San Francisco International Airport. While attending San Francisco State University, I had the opportunity to work for the YMCA Bayview Beacon youth program facilitating programming in arts, and health and wellness. I decided to focus my last several years of work addressing the health inequalities impacting youth in the Bayview District. I completed my time with the Bayview Beacon as the HEPA (Healthy Eating Physical Activity) Coordinator supporting six youth programs. I decided to continue my career trajectory in community health and health equity while finding my current position with Alice Griffith Hope SF residents and families, many whom I’ve worked within the past.

Faioso Afoa Angeles

fafoa@ymcasf.org
Outreach & Engagement Coordinator - Alice Griffith

I am an Outreach and Engagement Coordinator at Alice Griffith. I was born and raised on the beautiful island of Tutuila, also known as American Samoa. I moved a lot through my childhood and headed to America, US, for a better opportunity for my future. When I first arrived in San Francisco in 2003, I lived with my uncle and his family in Potrero Hill. There I first learned the “Projects”. I enrolled and attended Mission High School as a Junior and Senior and received my Diploma in June 2005. In June 2006, my mother and siblings moved into our own “project” development Alice Griffith, also known as Double Rock. During that time I attended City College of San Francisco as well as Started to Work for Bret Harte Elementary School right next to Alice Griffith. Becoming an Outreaching and Engaging Coordinator for Alice Griffith was something that I believe is best way for me to serve my community. 

Jazmina Sequeria

jsequeria@ymcasf.org
Community Health Ambassador – Alice Griffith

As a Community Health Ambassador at Alice Griffith working with Dante Casuga, I host a healthy eating class, co-facilitate a Zumba and yoga class, and many other classes. I enjoy helping my community members be more healthy. My passion is helping others and making sure they have the resources and support that they need.

Priscilla Wilson

pwilson@ymcasf.org
Site Manager - Hunters View

I am a SF native born and raised in Westpoint, California. I'm here for a purpose. I want to be a part of the change. I want the health & wellness for my peoples and I won't stop or give up until it's done!

Roshawn Finley

rfinley@ymcasf.org
Outreach & Engagement Coordinator - Sunnydale

For the past four years, I have been working with Urban Services YMCA as a Peer Health Leader. Recently, I was promoted to the Outreach & Engagement Coordinator for our Sunnydale Wellness Center. I motivate and advocate for residents and connect them to appropriate services to better their healthy lifestyles. Working and living in the same community can be challenging, but it brings me joy being apart of an organization that values residents and their personal and professional growth. The YMCA organization has instilled in me the importance of compassion and love, and because of this, I am better able to relate and engage with the community I serve -- I love my community!

Alheir Barnett

abarnett@ymcasf.org

My name is Ahleir Barnett and I am a community a health Ambassador in Potrero Hill. I’ve lived in this neighborhood all my life and have seen many highs and lows. I truly believe that for change to happen in this community it has to start with me.