Director of South Coast Health Equity Coalition

Lover of Context, Challenger of Systems along with the Status Quo. For the past 7 years Jayden has been advocating throughout Oregon with 2SLGBTQIA+ and Communities of Colors for equitable access to healthcare, food justice, and events that center joy and community strength. She is a Community Strategist whose advocacy is heavily influenced by social rights movements she often says, “I come as one but stand as 10,000,” a quote by Maya Angelou. For Jayden this quote symbolizes her accountability to community, co-creators, collaborators, advocates and the ancestors.

Jayden is currently the Chair of Coos-Curry Housing Authority, Vice Chair of HIV Alliance, Alumni and Advisor of DELTA (Developing Equity Leadership through Training and Action) at Oregon Health Authority, and Founder of the BEET Food System.

Director Southern Oregon Coast Pride

Laura moved to Coos County in 2013 with her partner and three cats (there are now 4 cats). In 2015, after a series of community conversations about 2SLGBTQIA+ needs, she co-founded Q & A of Coos County (Queers & Allies) with her friend Beka Young.  Q&A has been meeting each Thursday afternoon ever since.  In 2019, when there was an opportunity to create a community-led Pride celebration, Laura and fellow community members jumped on the chance.  The first Pride-in-the-Park celebration brought in new energy and the decision was made to create a more robust Pride organization for both Coos and Curry counties.  Laura loves her job.  She gets to meet and work alongside amazing community leaders, blast the Indigo Girls in the office, and be a part of impactful community building.  When she is not working, you can find her reading, adoring her cats, jamming out to Indigo Girls, dancing around her living room, or paddling around in the nearest body of water.

Justice Equity Diversity Inclusion Accessibility Advocate

Supporting the voices of Marginalized folks is a passion of mine. I’m originally from a suburb north of Los Angeles. As a Rromani I was fired up by the opportunity to take part in my first student action in solidarity with my fellow Armenian students to get recognition for the Armenian Genocide and have been taking part in various advocacy actions ever since! In college my passion turned to Early Childhood Development. I loved the preschool education model pioneered by Brazilian educator Paulo Freire “Popular Education”, because it centers a people guided and whole person-centered approach to education. This perspective has informed my lens ever since. Teaching stayed a passion, but I shifted to Mindfulness and Meditation practices like radical acts of self-love and approaching ourselves and each other from a space of nonjudgement, acceptance and gratitude. I loved teaching this because I know, for me, it works. I am also a formerly unhoused individual. The ease with which one traumatic event can easily tip us into houselessness in an already overwhelmed system, further fueled my need to be a part of the solution and I lent my voice to the Homeless Workforce Coalition. My time there as well as working in Peer Support in our community has taught me how vital it is for those who are marginalized, those with lived experiences, to have their voices amplified, especially in matters of policy. “Nothing For Us Without Us!”

Reproductive Justice and Gender Affirming Care Advocate

Zaria Hamilton is a Reproductive Justice and Gender Affirming Care Advocate for the South Coast Health Equity Coalition. Originally from North Carolina, she relocated to the southern Oregon coast in the fall of 2022, bringing with her a deep passion for community empowerment.

With a strong commitment to Reproductive Justice and Gender-Affirming Care, Zaria works to uplift and support her community through advocacy, education, data justice initiatives, and collaborative partnerships. She embraces the interconnectedness of social identities in the fight for justice, recognizing that reproductive health and gender equity are tied to broader social, economic, environmental, and racial justice movements. Through her work, she strives to create spaces where individuals feel seen, heard, and supported in their right to make informed choices about their bodies and lives. Beyond her advocacy, Zaria finds joy and balance in nature. She also expresses her creativity through arts and crafts and never misses an opportunity to sing her heart out. Whether she’s deep in a book, crafting something unique, or belting out her favorite tunes, Zaria embraces life with enthusiasm and an unwavering dedication to justice and care.

Community Engagement Coordinator

My name is Carolina. I am from Mexico and live in Brookings, Oregon. I feel privileged to serve as the Community Engagement Coordinator for the South Coast Health Equity Coalition, an organization dedicated to creating spaces that foster growth, equity, and positive change. I find joy in connecting with community members, listening to their needs, and finding ways to support them through meaningful programs and resources. I have the privilege of coordinating programs that support overall health and wellness, organizing cultural events, and contributing to community programs that celebrate diversity and bring people together. I envision a community where everyone feels supported, valued, and empowered to pursue their dreams, and I am proud to play a role in making this vision a reality.

Advocate/Youth Peer Support

My name is Grust and I'm newer to Oregon but I can't see a better place I'd rather be to put my foot down and stand up for my community. I've been here over a year and I've grown such a massive support system and with all my support I feel as though I can start to give back in every way I can. I love spreading joy through my clowning, singing, laughing, and I love supporting my peers with my different identities and background such as being Indigenous two-spirit and Mexican. For me every day is another day to learn and grow. I’m so grateful to have this opportunity to meet people and build community.