Executive Director of South Coast Health Equity Coalition

Jayden Ruff (she/her) was raised in Roberta, Georgia, surrounded by peach orchards and the wisdom of the caretakers in her family: Great Grandmother Flossy, Grandmother Lizzie, Mom Munilla, Auntie Mantilla, and Big Mama, Mrs. Tit. They were the keepers of history, the teachers of laughter, and the embodiment of unconditional love. Through their example, Jayden learned that community is built by showing up for one another, sharing what you have, and believing that every person deserves dignity and belonging.

A lover of context and challenger of systems, Jayden has spent the past 11 years working alongside Communities of Color and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities across Oregon to advance health equity, reproductive justice, and community well-being. Her work is rooted in anti-racism, liberation, cultural humility, and joy as a practice. She believes the people most impacted by systems should be trusted to shape the solutions, and she is committed to creating spaces where lived experience is recognized as expertise and community leadership can thrive.

As an organizer and nonprofit leader, Jayden works at the intersection of public health, housing, food justice, reproductive justice, and systems change. She is passionate about building authentic relationships, developing community leadership, and creating opportunities where people feel seen, heard, and connected. Whether organizing cultural celebrations, advocating for policy change, supporting youth leadership, or strengthening local partnerships, she approaches her work with the belief that collective care is one of the most powerful tools for creating lasting change.

Jayden currently serves as Chair of the Coos-Curry Housing Authority, Chair of HIV Alliance, and as an alumnus and advisor for DELTA (Developing Equity Leadership through Training and Action) at the Oregon Health Authority. She is also the founder of the BEET Food System and the Executive Director of the South Coast Health Equity Coalition, where she works alongside community members and partners to build healthier, more connected, and more equitable communities.

Advocacy Coordinator

Supporting the voices of marginalized communities has always been at the heart of my work. Originally from a suburb north of Los Angeles, I am Rromani, and my passion for advocacy began as a student when I joined my first organizing effort in solidarity with Armenian classmates seeking recognition of the Armenian Genocide. That experience showed me the power of collective action and sparked a lifelong commitment to advocacy.

In college, my focus shifted to Early Childhood Development, where I was inspired by Brazilian educator Paulo Freire's philosophy of Popular Education. His people-centered approach to learning, rooted in dialogue, dignity, and shared knowledge, continues to shape how I engage with communities today.

My work later evolved into teaching mindfulness and meditation, practices I view as radical acts of self-love and healing. Creating space for people to approach themselves and others with compassion, curiosity, and gratitude has been deeply meaningful, because I know firsthand the power these practices can have.

As someone who has experienced homelessness, I understand how quickly one life-changing event can lead to housing instability within an already overburdened system. That lived experience strengthened my commitment to systems change and led me to advocate alongside the Homeless Workforce Coalition. Through that work, and later as a Peer Support Specialist, I learned that the people most impacted by systems must be at the center of shaping them.

At the South Coast Health Equity Coalition, I work to ensure community voices inform advocacy, public policy, and systems change efforts. I believe meaningful change happens when people with lived experience are trusted as experts and leaders in their own communities. My work is grounded in the belief that advocacy is most powerful when it is community-led, relationship-centered, and rooted in the principle:

"Nothing about us without us."

Community Engagement Coordinator

My name is Carolina, and I am originally from Mexico. Today, I am proud to call Brookings, Oregon, home and to serve as the Community Engagement Coordinator with the South Coast Health Equity Coalition.

Community is at the heart of everything I do. I believe we all deserve spaces where we feel welcomed, valued, and connected, and I am deeply passionate about helping cultivate those spaces. Whether sharing a meal, celebrating culture, learning together, or simply listening to someone's story, I believe community is built through relationships rooted in trust, respect, and care.

I have the privilege of walking alongside community members as we build opportunities for connection, learning, and belonging. My work includes coordinating English language classes, citizenship support, bilingual book clubs, nutrition and mental health education, cultural celebrations, and other community-driven programs that bring people together and strengthen our collective well-being.

One of the greatest gifts of this work is witnessing the wisdom, resilience, and generosity that already exists within our communities. Every gathering reminds me that meaningful change happens when people are seen, heard, and invited to lead alongside one another.

I envision a South Coast where everyone, regardless of language, culture, or background, feels they belong and has the opportunity to thrive. It is an honor to help nurture spaces where community can grow, relationships can flourish, and people can find both support and joy in one another.