Robin Barkins is a fearless and outspoken peer advocate. Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Everyday, Ms.Barkins embraces her mission to empower the reentry population as well as the women and men who suffer from the diseases of trauma, homelessness, addiction and HIV.
Her transformative journey began at the tender age of 15 when she acquired HIV. Upon receiving this devastating news, she spiraled into self-destructive activities as a sex worker and substance abuser. She thought her life was over. When she hit the lowest point in her life, she found herself spiritually and emotionally bankrupt. After ten years, she finally made the decision to attend a drug recovery program.
Ms. Barkins never thought it was possible to live a life without drugs and alcohol, but with her fierce determination to improve her life, she began to face her emotional injuries and fears head on. In the process of becoming sober, she learned new coping skills and strategies to deal with life. With a brand-new lease on life, Ms. Barkins regained her confidence and cultivated a healthy self-esteem.
In 2010, Ms. Barkins chose to go public with her story because she knew that her journey could have an impact on other people’s lives. For so long, Ms. Barkins kept her HIV status a secret. By telling her story, she seized her power back.
Ms. Barkins founded To Restore Unite Support and Transform (TRUST) with the mission to promote health equity and social justice in diverse communities. Provide services for justice impacted individuals and families, by providing a whole- person care approach, centered around the social determinants of health. TRUST restores human dignity, unites families, supports clients in improving their quality of life, and transform communities.
Through her work, she provides community members with the supportive tools and resources to effectively reenter society. Ms. Barkins’ story allows her to empathize with her Peers and emboldens her to advocate on behalf of the HIV community, those afflicted by trauma/ domestic violence, drug addiction, people who are experiencing homelessness, and formerly incarcerated individuals.
Transgender Health Coordinator
Natasha Garcia is a Transgender Woman of Color. Who has been in transition for the past 10 years. She started volunteering for the Red Cross, to prepare community members for fire, earthquake, and any natural disaster. She has a history of working with the homeless community for the past 8 years. She has ho
Transgender Health Coordinator
Natasha Garcia is a Transgender Woman of Color. Who has been in transition for the past 10 years. She started volunteering for the Red Cross, to prepare community members for fire, earthquake, and any natural disaster. She has a history of working with the homeless community for the past 8 years. She has housed over 80 individuals.
As a member of TRUST- Natasha wants to ensure care for the community, because she is a part of the community. She wants to ensure she advocates for the community for quality services and programs for all. She wants to cater to the women including transgender communities of color.
Behavioral Health Coordinator
La-Shia Ranson is a graduate of the University of Southern California (USC). She holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology and a master’s degree in science- Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT). She has over 19 years of experience in working in the Mental Health field. She has experience serving people
Behavioral Health Coordinator
La-Shia Ranson is a graduate of the University of Southern California (USC). She holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology and a master’s degree in science- Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT). She has over 19 years of experience in working in the Mental Health field. She has experience serving people who are experiencing Homelessness, individuals exiting incarceration and Mental Health. She has dedicated her life to serving her community as a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Additionally she is the Founder of “I Am Not Your Competition: Women Empowerment Organization” and Co-Founder of Keeping It Mental 101.
Youth and Young Adult Project Coordinator
Christopher Perez has spent the past 10 years working with students within numerous institutions in higher education. He currently works with students at Compton College in the Office of Student Development, which focuses on co-curricular events and developing student leaders. Outside of educatio
Youth and Young Adult Project Coordinator
Christopher Perez has spent the past 10 years working with students within numerous institutions in higher education. He currently works with students at Compton College in the Office of Student Development, which focuses on co-curricular events and developing student leaders. Outside of education, he is a USPA Certified Powerlifting Coach, narrative photographer, and CEO of a small business focusing on helping others achieve the best version of themselves.
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Senior Community Health Worker
Ashley Turner is a Senior Community Health Worker with over 6 years of experience working with high-need and complex patients addressing real-life obstacles that keep them from staying healthy and ultimately improve health outcomes. Ashley specializes in providing support to individuals with a substance use
Senior Community Health Worker
Ashley Turner is a Senior Community Health Worker with over 6 years of experience working with high-need and complex patients addressing real-life obstacles that keep them from staying healthy and ultimately improve health outcomes. Ashley specializes in providing support to individuals with a substance use disorder, serious mental illness, and those experiencing homelessness. Ashley uses her lived and professional experience to support people in underserved communities by advocating for change in how we access care and addressing social factors that impact a person’s health.
Volunteer Coordinator
Felicia Ford is a mother of an adult child with developmental disabilities, and she’s also a foster parent. In 2002, when her daughter Faith was born and did not breathe for 11 minutes, Felicia began her journey as an advocate for special needs children and families. Faced with having to make decisions about Faith’s c
Volunteer Coordinator
Felicia Ford is a mother of an adult child with developmental disabilities, and she’s also a foster parent. In 2002, when her daughter Faith was born and did not breathe for 11 minutes, Felicia began her journey as an advocate for special needs children and families. Faced with having to make decisions about Faith’s care and well being that she didn’t anticipate, Felicia was fortunate to have the assistance of an amazing service coordinator and family resource center at her regional center who taught her how to advocate for her daughter, how to access resources as a special needs parent, and engage in community involvement and betterment.
Through the years of advocating for Faith, Felicia has assisted other families of color who are raising special needs children. Families who have relied on Felicia’s expertise her “The Coping Coach” because she has helped parents build resilience and relationships that become an infrastructure of support, while learning to access resources to help their children grow and thrive. Felicia has facilitated countless workshops, focus groups and webinars for parents and families about raising special needs children, how to manage stress, self care, financial wellness, tracking changes in policies that impact these families racial disparities in services, for systems of care.
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T.R.U.S.T Is a 501(C)3 Nonprofit Organization. All Donations Are Tax-Deductible To The Extent Allowed By Law.
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