Our Team
MISSSEY is comprised of individuals who are exceptionally positioned to serve our youth and raise awareness of CSE by bringing to the anti-trafficking table a wealth of experience, knowledge, and insight centered on supporting CSEC survivors and similarly disenfranchised populations. Each person on our team wholeheartedly believes that with the right opportunities and non-judgmental support, domestically trafficked youth can overcome the circumstances of their exploitation and lead fully enriched, empowered lives.
To reach a member of our team, contact her via email or call the main number, 510-251-2070.
Executive Director
Jennifer B. Lyle, jennifer@misssey.org
For over twenty-five years, Jennifer has actively worked towards the well-being of youth and their families. Her education and work have taken place in the streets, across continents, with community organizations, government, schools, and, academia. Much of Jennifer’s work over the past fifteen years has focused on the development of youth through viable programs for diverse populations: she recently held the role of Deputy Director at Alternatives in Action (AIA), an organization that serves middle and high school youth in extended day and after-school programming, supports families with their early childhood daycare needs, and runs a charter high school; held a variety of leadership positions at Building Blocks for Kids Collaborative (BBK) including the role of Executive Director, working with partners to elevate and address the well-being of African American and Latino families and youth living in Central and South Richmond; and launched her career in youth development at the Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) where she held various positions, the last being the Vice President of Education and Research.
As an African American woman, an educator, and an activist, Jennifer crosses many borders to create a platform that supports youth, expands their range of challenging experiences, and increases their opportunities for supportive relationships. It has always been her goal to support youth to become active in their lives by providing leadership and development opportunities and by helping to reveal their rights, their capacity, and their value. Jennifer received her Master of Social Work, Master of Sociology and PhD in Social Work and Sociology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Director of Programs
Jakki Bedsole, jakki@misssey.org
As the Director of Programs at MISSSEY Inc., Jakki Bedsole oversees the direct services division of the organization and supports staff directly working with commercially sexually exploited children and transitional age youth. Previously, she led the development of the organization’s Transitional Age Youth program and has held other roles (including the position of case manager) within different programs for the organization.
Throughout her career, Jakki has worked with children, families and adults in the field of social work. She has served in a variety of roles and contexts including working with individuals experiencing homelessness, children in foster care and residential treatment facilities, in school systems, with domestic violence and substance overuse services as well as working directly with CSEC. Her work also includes community organizing, service coordination, management of special projects and research focused on the perceptions of best practices for serving CSEC. Jakki holds a B.A. in Sociology with an emphasis on Social Services from California State University, East Bay and a Masters of Social Work (MSW) from San Jose State University.
Program Manager
Kendall Roberts, kendall@misssey.org
Kendall Roberts has an educational background in Social Work, along with professional experience working in the mental health field and with former foster youth. Most recently, she held a position at Seneca’s Willow Rock as a Crisis Stabilization Counselor working with youth from an array of different backgrounds. While earning her bachelor’s degree, she interned at Volunteers of America (VOA) Transitional Housing for Former Foster Youth and facilitated women’s empowerment classes to young women and mothers.
Director of Operations and Training
Liz Longfellow, liz@misssey.org
Liz oversees MISSSEY’s daily operations and supervises MISSSEY’s well-known Training Institute for professionals.
Liz has spent the last 20 years working in the social service field and is a certified sexual assault counselor and HIV test counselor. After her graduation from San Francisco State University, Liz worked with survivors of sexual assault, foster care youth, as well as vulnerable adults with multiple diagnostic disabilities. At Larkin Street Youth Services, Liz worked with homeless and runaway youth, many of whom were being exploited. Her skills as a trainer and a coordinator are based in a solid foundation of direct service work and strong clinical ability. Liz has facilitated trainings about marginalized youth and commercial sexual exploitation to CBO’s, educators, county child welfare workers, and community members throughout the Bay Area.
Grants and Operations Associate
Learkana Chong, learkana@misssey.org
Learkana plays a key role in MISSSEY’s fundraising, grants management, and organizational development. She also helps MISSSEY’s workflow through data management, communications, administrative support, and event coordination. She received her B.A. in English with a minor in Psychology from Mills College, a liberal arts women’s college in Oakland that taught her the value of critical thinking and using an intersectional approach to examine the status quo. It was there that she also cultivated her passion for social justice and learned about the devastating issue of commercial sexual exploitation. After graduating, she interned at other grassroots nonprofit organizations before landing an administrative position at MISSSEY and going on to become instrumental in supporting the organization. Learkana is dedicated to using her communication and administrative skills to amplify the voices of marginalized populations and effect sociopolitical change.
Training and Prevention Manager
Andrea P. Diaz, andrea@misssey.org
As the Training and Prevention Manager, Andrea advocates and supports youth through education. She loves being in the community and working towards creating safer spaces for youth to navigate by offering outreach, information, and collaboration. Andrea is a certified domestic violence counselor and has served as a case manager, SFPD liaison, and education manager in that field. She is passionate about working with women and youth and learning how to best build support for and around them.
STAR Center
STAR (Sisters Transforming And Rising) Center serves as a transformative safe space and resource center for youth who have been impacted by commercial sexual exploitation. We offer a variety of opportunities and supports tailored to the needs of our youth: life skills workshops, political and cultural education, health and wellness, therapeutic arts and movement, restorative justice circles, field trips, and more. Our drop-in center staff are instrumental in helping youth who need support with basic needs, individual and collective healing, systems navigation, skill building, career exploration, and school enrollment; or who simply need a place where they can be themselves.
Jasmine Wilson, jasmine@misssey.org
Jasmine Wilson is MISSSEY’s Drop-In Center Coordinator. She has a passion for uplifting and inspiring disadvantaged individuals. Born and raised in Oakland, she looks to make an impact in her community by serving as an advocate to those in need. Jasmine earned her B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Social Services at Cal State University East Bay. She has an extensive background in case management, including the support of foster youth with mental health disabilities, pregnant/parenting teens, and individuals involved with the criminal justice system. Her most recent position as a Workforce Career Counselor encompassed an array of responsibilities to promote youth development, including career counseling, educational support, and stabilization. Jasmine hopes to inspire the young women at MISSSEY by being a role model and positive influence.
Case Managers
MISSSEY’s Case Managers provide one-on-one direct services to children and transition age youth (ages 11-24 years old) who are on probation or within the foster care system, and are survivors or at risk of commercial sexual exploitation. Case Managers collaborate across a wide variety of systems and disciplines and are a critical part of Alameda County’s service delivery team. Through building a trusting relationship with the young people they serve, Case Managers are able to facilitate next steps for youth such as improved personal safety, school attendance, employment, housing, healthcare, and dreaming bigger. Focus is always on the recovery from the trauma of their lives and moving out of “the life.”
Erica Casco, erica@misssey.org
Erica Casco is a Transition Age Youth Case Manager at MISSSEY. She is a San Francisco native and is excited to be back in the Bay Area to be working with transitional aged youth. Ms. Casco received her B.A. in psychology and criminal justice from San Francisco State University. During her undergrad studies she volunteered and mentored at risk youth from San Francisco County in after school programs, juvenile hall, and group home settings. She earned her Masters in Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage Family Therapy from National University. While living in Las Vegas, she gained many years of experience working towards licensure as a MFTI providing family, group, and individual therapy in psychiatric hospitals and nonprofit agencies. Her passion has been helping young girls discover their inner strength and confidence. Empowering young women in the face of adversity through the development and nurturing of self sufficiency has also been a major passion for Ms. Casco.
Taylor Washington, taylor@misssey.org
Taylor is a Juvenile Justice Case Manager at MISSSEY. She received her B.A in Women and Gender Studies and her minor in Sexuality Studies from San Francisco State University. Prior to MISSSEY, she’s volunteered as a Sexual Assault Counselor for Rape Trauma Services in San Mateo County and has gained extensive experience as a behavior specialist working with youth with Autism, developmental delays, trauma and behavior challenges in school, home and community settings. Aside from supporting vulnerable populations, Taylor has also been involved in performing arts around the Bay Area. She believes that art is not only a form of expression but a way to tell one’s story and help heal trauma regardless of age. Throughout Taylor’s versatile experience, she’s developed a passion for working with youth and helping them discover their own passions and self-worth through community, art, education and social justice.
Bonnitta Kidd, bonnitta@misssey.org
Bonnitta Kidd is a Foster Youth Services Case Manager. She comes to MISSSEY with a background in substance abuse counseling, and an extensive background in case management. Bonnitta earned her B.S in Psychology with an emphasis on family dynamics and adolescent behaviors. She has worked in the social services field for over 15 years and has made a deep impact within the community she serves. Bonnitta has a passion for working with families and youth in crisis, and is proud to be a part of the MISSSEY family.
Khalihia Evans, khalihia@misssey.org
Khalihia is a Foster Care Youth Services Case Manager. She joins MISSSEY with a background in teaching, behavior intervention, and academic advising. Originally from the Washington, DC area, she has dedicated 10 years of her professional life to youth development and community advocacy. Khalihia is excited to learn, support, and grow in the Bay Area.
Youth Engagement Specialists
MISSSEY’s Youth Engagement Specialists provide critical prevention and intervention services on-site at the Alameda County Foster Care Assessment Center to youth in the foster care system who are highly vulnerable to commercial sexual exploitation or who have already experienced exploitation. They also provide case support to child welfare workers, group home providers, foster parents, and individual agencies.
Jasmine Alexander-Brookings, jasmineab@misssey.org
Kavya Parthiban, kavya@misssey.org