Meet the Team!

New Year, new faces, same mission– allow us to reintroduce ourselves!

Driven by the kid’s livelihood and unjust circumstances, this team ensures Bayview children are heard and nurtured.  We are small, but adamant about their wellbeing.  So how did we all get here?

We asked our team how they decided to work for the youth, why it’s important to them, and what goals they have for City of Dreams:

Jarae Clark , Executive Director

Background: “My career goal has always been to work with youth when I decided on Social Work for my degree. I, too, benefited from community programs as a child. I credit my youth program for how my life turned out and I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. I’ve worked with youth in foster care, the juvenile justice system, and with families.”

Why do YOU work for City of Dreams? “Preventative work is so important. It can change lives and combat trauma. It’s really special when a youth comes back and tells you how much you helped them even though they didn’t realize it at the time.”

What goals do you have for the youth? “My hope is that every youth we work with builds confidence that inspires them to build a dream and follow it. When the kids we work with read better, start practicing healthier habits, I feel good knowing they are building towards a positive and productive life.”

Kareem Sykes , Program Director

Background: “I do not have a background in youth development other than helping raise my brothers and sisters but I love my community and because of that I feel a responsibility to give back and I found working with City of dreams as a way to do that.”

Why do YOU work for City of Dreams? “I work for Cod because I see myself in a lot of our youth and I know how important it is to have adults in your life that truly care and push you forward but unfortunately I know that is also a luxury so I see this position as a way to make sure all of our youth have that luxury. I also love teaching young black and brown kids how to grow their own food as this skill is not common in our community.”

What goals do you have for the youth? “The confidence in our youth have grown tremendously. For example, youth entered our summer program last year underperforming in literacy but exited with the confidence to lead their own reading circles and I don’t underestimate the impact that will have in the future. Also conversations from our older kids shifting from gossiping to how they can empower themselves and each other becoming the norm. That really stood out to me.”

Kristine Li , Program Manager

Background: “With a degree in Sociology, I am able to get a better understanding of society and peoples' social interactions. Before City of Dreams, I was a Behavior Technician working with youth with special needs and on the spectrum.”

Why do YOU work for City of Dreams? “I love to be able to foster and see our kiddos grow up to be the young intelligent individuals that they are.”

What kind of goals do you have for the youth? “To provide our youth with a strong moral and reasoning compass to navigate the world. I've seen our kids grasp a better understanding of the values that City of Dreams follow and yearn for growth as they continue to participate in our organization.”

Clarissa Chiu , Development & Marketing Manager

Background: “In high school, I've served as an Outdoor Education Camp Counselor for 5th graders as well as a Summer Camp Counselor for K-8th graders. In terms of community building, I'm always looking for ways to get involved with different aspects of the community. I've volunteered at the SPCA, delivered groceries to the elderly through Marin Food Bank, and served meals at GLIDE in the Tenderloin.”

Why do YOU work for City of Dreams? “City of Dreams is a small yet powerful organization with so much potential in helping underserved Black and BIPOC youth. I'm here to help us reach that potential and help fight for the necessary resources our team needs in order to give Bayview youth an equal opportunity at reaching their dreams.”

What kind of goals do you have for the youth? “I hope for our youth to believe in themselves and to keep pushing forward even when it feels like the world is against them. I hope they find themselves within an empowering community striving for the common goal of improving themselves and the world around them.”

Macio Dickerson , Ground Zero Coordinator

Many community members consider Macio the heart of Bayview. His presence is known within the community as that of light, friendship, and guidance. Ground Zero has excelled at introducing our youth to real-world questions and possibilities because of him. He has reinforced the success of this program through active participation in their academics, career-finding, and mental wellness.  

Zenaida Barr , Ground Zero Girls Coordinator

Zenaida is a trusted youth advocate, life skills coach and entrepreneur with roots in Bayview.  Zenaida’s role ensures that the young women of our community have a safe place to express their needs, ask questions, and be recognized for their individuality. 

James Rominger , Program Assistant

In late 2022, we introduced a new member to our team! James–our new Program Assistant tells us about his experience with City of Dreams so far:

“This was one of the most rewarding jobs I've had and I loved being able to support and connect with all of the people I had the privilege of working with.”

“This organization has been able to teach me so much in such a short amount of time and has allowed me to be apart of a team that strives to help make a better difference in the world.”

Mariela Lopez , Marketing Coordinator

Background: “In high school and into college, I served as the Artistic Director for a dance troupe of elementary school children.  I made so many meaningful connections with the kids that I knew I wanted to somehow work for the benefit of youth.  In college, I tutored 2 spanish-speaking 4th graders in english reading and writing. This particular experience gave me perspective on how poverty and in this case, immigration, can upend academic growth for children. Because of this, I decided to switch my college studies to the impacts of poverty worldwide.”

Why do YOU work for City of Dreams? “To me, City of Dreams is rich in heart and authenticity.  The children of Bayview really are on the highest of pedestals within the organization and I have come to understand why this targeted work is so important to not only their lives but the betterment of the community.  I love being able to promote the progress of the kids and invite others into this work as well.”

What kind of goals do you have for the youth? “I hope that all of our youth recognize the community of supporters cheering them on, especially in times where they feel isolated, trapped, or vulnerable. And I hope to see more children impacted by the program as we grow.”

Amanda Bracewell , Data Administrator

Background: “Volunteering at animal shelters and coaching kids soccer.”

Why do YOU work for City of Dreams? “I think the work that CoD does is so important, not just for the kids, but for the entire community. It makes me happy that I can contribute to that in a small way.”

What kind of goals do you have for the youth? “I think there's a lot of variety in programs for the kids, and I'd like to see that expand into even more areas.”

We have a team working with meaning and purpose.  Our youth are supported by kind individuals who want to see them prosper.  If you want to be involved too, contact us at info@cityofdreams.org!