Building Confidence and Celebrating Difference at CHC Oakland
Whether she’s complementing a youth’s new hairstyle or teaching a Do-It-Yourself workshop, Rahsandrea Johnson loves helping the youth at CHC build confidence.
“I like to build their confidence because it starts within,” she said. “I definitely had people around me that had to build that confidence within me. So, I like to be the joy – to let people know that it’s okay that you are different.”
Rahsandrea, CHC – Oakland’s Residential Manager, grew up in the home of her great-grandma, “Lil Mama”, with lots of family around. “Everything came out of Lil Mama’s house, from baking to gardening,” Rahsandrea remembers, and she appreciated “having that chance to be creative because you had a hub or had a home – somewhere to be.”
Now, Rahsandrea helps create that “somewhere to be” for hundreds of young people each year. She brings an extensive background in empowering youth, women, and survivors, having worked in several previous roles facilitating classes for youth on leadership, healthy relationships, and sexual violence prevention. As a facilitator of CHC’s onsite women’s group, Rahsandrea continues to work alongside youth to imagine and create a more equitable and healthier world. In a recent session, she invited a Black female doctor to discuss feminine reproductive health with our youth; for upcoming sessions, she is giving the floor to the youth to lead teach-ins on topics they are passionate and knowledgeable about. “Now they have the chance to stand up in front of their peers and be that person that’s leading the group or that person that is giving some knowledge.”
Rahsandrea started in an entry-level position at CHC, before becoming a case manager, and now helping the shelter as a whole and “problem solving on another level” as Residential Manager. Throughout it all, our community has been grateful to be around Rahsandrea’s consistent positivity, empathy, and kindness.
“I just like to have a good time, so if I can bring a good time for the residents, I’m gonna try my hardest,” she said.
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