Who we are...

Joey Harrison is the in-district Block by Block Operations Manager for the Temescal BID’s maintenance services, where he provides responsive, dedicated, high quality service to the Temescal BID, and takes the lead for specialized services and projects. Prior to Temescal, Mr. Harrison held the position of Team Lead for the Ambassador team in Downtown Berkeley.

Mr. Harrison's background includes years of experience and training, working with individuals experiencing mental health issues, substance abuse issues and homelessness. Utilizing his multilayered experiences, as part of the Temescal BID Pilot Community Engagement Program, Mr. Harrison, along with the ambassadors, engage with all members of the Temescal Community and provide a sense of hospitality, safety and assistance to deal with quality of life issues, as well as providing a welcoming presence in the Temescal District. 

Temescal has seen a significant improvement in community relations, as a direct result of implementations and concepts fashioned by Mr. Harrison. Mr. Harrison has made huge strides within the Temescal community, and beyond. He  has developed  an interactive  and diverse network of community partners with which he works. 

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Joey utilizes his experience and training to increase communication and build relationships with all members of the Temescal Community.. Mr. Harrison provides training on how to compassionately and respectfully interface with persons experiencing homelessness and mental health issues. He has developed a  focused de-escalation training session for businesses and their staff. His training's and methods of approach have led to improved business relations.

The Village of Love was created because Joey recognizes that only as a community, can we begin to make a change. He sees the Village of Love beyond the Bay Area and California. The Village of Love is making a difference, one neighborhood at a time. 

Jerri Forriest comes to The Village of Love with an extensive background in administrative and business organizational development.  Ms. Forriest's experience includes Patient Coordinator of a Medical Facility, Operations Manager of a Medical Career School, Office Manager of a WIC (Women Infants and  Children) Clinic, Executive Administrator for a Healthy Start Clinic and Operations Coordinator for Run With Us, a social and life educational travel group for women in recovery; or who have experienced trauma. 

Ms. Forriest has organized numerous Community Events to inform, educate and unite. Jerri has facilitated and hosted The Annual WIC Community Baby Shower, Shower of Knowledge, Healthy Start PIC Academy, The Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Workshop, Pillow of Peace Outreach, Toys for Tots with the New Orleans Marines, and countless other events.

Jerri believes that all humans are equal and therefore entitled to basic human rights, no matter where or how they live. She advocates to treat others as you would want to be treated. 

"I am here, even if you pretend you don't see me". 

Mr.  Burruss has been managing people and programs for over 30 years. He enjoys training employees and tapping into their unknown potential. He believes people are the greatest asset that an  organization can have. 

Mr. Burruss’ personal goal is to show love, dignity, and  respect to each and every person he meets. Mr. Burruss also understands the  importance of mentoring the next generation of leaders. After serving our country in  the United States Army, he graduated from San Jose State in 1992, with a degree in Business Management. 

For over 10 years, Allbert has been  involved in Urban Placemaking and is committed to eagerly serving the  community. 

Doris has been passionate about working with displaced individuals and families for as long as she can remember. Her journey started when she worked for a soup kitchen in Oakland, CA, providing hot meals. Her passion led her to Hayward, CA, where she worked as a shelter program monitor for  homeless individuals and families who were severely displaced. Her passion for helping people better themselves, led her to FESCO (Family Emergency Shelter Coalition). 

Doris has served in multiple roles in the Bay Area since 1998,  including  Outreach Program Manager for Oakland,  Housing Quality inspector for California's Encampments Management Team Collaborating Partners , and as Linkages Leasing Coordinator for one of the largest Nonprofits in Alameda County. Mrs. Freeman’s is vehement on building communities, staying Pro-Homes-for-all, and diminishing homelessness.

" Just because a person experiences setbacks in life doesn't mean they are less of a person and should get treated as less than human."

As Alameda Program Manager, Mr. Scott is responsible for multi program  management, staff development, team building and providing motivational  leadership. Mr. Scott discovered his passion for Community Organizing,  while serving as a lead organizer with the Black Organizing Project. Mr.  Scott utilizes those organizational skills to build relationships with  community organizations and provide street outreach throughout encampments and neighborhoods.

Having  been unsheltered himself, Raj has "lived experience" and genuinely  understands the battles and struggles associated with being unsheltered.

“I  believe in progress and not perfection, therefore I show grace to  individuals from any and every walk of life because that same grace was  shown to me.”

For over 25 years, Mr. Gorham has worked in the field of addiction treatment and counseling psychology. His primary focus has been working with homeless individuals, those diagnosed with mental disorders and individuals who are incarcerated.  

Mr. Gorham is the former Executive Director of Options Recovery Services and developed the Options Recovery Services clinical program in Berkeley, CA., which now operates multiple sites within Alameda and Contra Costa counties. He established a specialized program for individuals suffering from substance use disorders and moderate to severe mental health disorders, in conjunction with Alameda Behavioral Health Services. He also founded the Addiction Recovery program at San Quentin State Prison.

Tom has a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with the State of California Board of Behavioral Sciences and is a Certified Substance Use Disorder Counselor CADPT.

As an active and participating member of his community, Tom serves on several Advisory Board Committees, including California Association of Drug and Alcohol Counselors, National Association of Drug and Alcohol Counselors, University of California Peoples Park, and San Carlos Foundation.