Meet our amazing team.

We’re a talented group of individuals who are working together to create pathways for the future.

Jacob Emerson

They/Them

Jacob’s role as the Secretary is to organize meetings, connect AYC members to one another and organize resources.

They participate in coordinating the non-profit response group to inclement weather for unhoused folks. They are queer and non-binary.

Kayla Yerby

She/Her

As the Research and Community Engagement specialist, Kayla

hopes to create and bring together communities in order to see an overall shift in what our society could look like.

In this role she hopes to not only change the perspective homelessness but also focus on promoting individual self growth and sustainability.

Jacquez Tibbs

He/Him

Jah was sent to us from an unidentified flying object in the early 2000’s- and nothing’s been the same since.

He generally keeps it real with everyone and is creating dope community events that bring together artistry and the cause to fight for awareness and unity.

Gabriela Gemstone Fernandez

She/They

Gemstone is the Social Media and Marketing expert and has been working on a documentary film about youth homelessness and productivity throughout her time on the AYC.

Her work is done with the intention of being of the greatest service to humanity that is possible, and her morals are defined by compassion, unity, and care.

Cassandra Richards

She/Her

Cassandra has been an active member of AYC since 2022, and has held the treasurer position for most of that time.
She collaborates with ECHO staff to allocate funds for various projects the AYC is participating in.

Tania Hughes

She/Her

Tania acts as the ECHO staff coordinator for the collective, and she provides great support to our projects and goals as a collective!

Her bigger goal is to end homelessness on a national level, and her specific goal is to connect people to the resources that they need to become more independent and stable. She cannot wait until she can go skydiving again!