West Oakland Team

In addition to the Cal students in West Berkeley, two Cal students- Allie Hu and Tammie Chen- will be at the West Oakland site, along with some students from Texas.

Allie Hu is a graduating senior who studied Public Health at Cal. Throughout college, Allie has grown deeper in her understanding of God's shalom as she served with local organizations such as the Homeless Action Center and spent time overseas in Costa Rica for medical missions. After this summer, Allie will spend a year interning as a staff worker with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Some of her passions include campus ministry, public health advocacy, education, poetry, and reading, especially C.S. Lewis.

Tammie Chen is also a graduating senior who majored in Art and minored in education. Throughout college, Tammie lived in the Canterbury House, a service learning community focused on social justice and spent extensive time working in both Berkeley and Oakland schools. By participating in BAYUP, Tammie hopes to learn more about what God has to say about his love for people in the city and how it will fit into her career plans. She hopes to become a teacher in the inner-city.

They will be living in a house in West Oakland and will volunteer with Campfire USA, a non-profit youth organization.

Don't forget to keep them in your thoughts and prayers!

West Berkeley Team

Meet the West Berkeley team: 4 students from Cal as well and one InterVarsity staff member.


John Dufour, Allen Choi, Jennifer Chiang, Sarah Chi, Erina Kim

Some Information about our team members:

John Dufour graduated from UC Berkeley with a double major in Social Welfare and Psychology. He spent last summer in Cambodia with the Global Urban Trek program, and is committed to issues of racial and social justice. He will be interning as a staff worker with InterVarsity next year and plans on getting his Master's in Social Work, with the hope of working with child and family services in an urban setting.

Allen Choi also graduated from UC Berkeley this past May with a major in Architecture. He spent this past year as a member of Cal Christian Fellowship's social justice bible study group, and attended an Urban Plunge in Oakland this past Spring. While this is his first "official" missions project, Allen hopes to be challenged and stretched in his faith while encountering both the new and the uncomfortable. He recently returned from a trip to Japan and hopes to pursue a career in graphic or industrial design.

Jennifer Chiang is going to be a Senior next year at UC Berkeley and is double majoring in International Political Economy and Psychology. She loves painting, playing instruments, and playing volleyball. Jennifer is also passionate about issues of justice and equality and has been active in campus organizations such as the Asian Political Association, Stiles Hall Tutoring program, and Habitat for Humanity. After graduating, she hopes to pursue either International Humanitarian Law or a degree in Public Policy.

Sarah Chi is going to be a Junior next year, and is studying Political Science and Mass Communications. She enjoys sports, the outdoors, and quality time with people. Sarah is excited about learning more about God's kingdom through BAYUP and hopes eventually to pursue the field of public relations or communications with some type of government/politics related job. She recently got her wisdom teeth removed. =)

Erina Kim graduated from UC Berkeley in 2005 with a degree in English and a minor in education. As a student, Erina studied abroad in Ghana, participated in the Global Urban Trek to Manila, worked with the Berkeley homeless through Suitcase Clinic, and tutored for 2 years at Camp Sweeney Juvenile Detention center. Through these experiences of displacement and discomfort, she gained a more holistic and global view of God and His purposes in the world. Erina just finished her first year of full-time staff work with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Cal and loves seeing college students be transformed by the Gospel. She also loves books, music, sports, food, kids, travel, and the outdoors.

Some components of our summer program will include:
-Living in an apartment complex in West Berkeley, learning how to love and serve our neighbors
-Serving and teaching students in summer classes at Rosa Parks Elementary school
-Partnering with a local non-profit, Berkeley Youth Alternatives, in their summer youth programs
-Helping out at two local churches- The Way Christian Center and Church Without Walls
-Hearing from city officials, community leaders, and activists about the needs of West Berkeley and redevelopment
-Reading over 1,000 pages of material on racial and social justice, financial stewardship, and community development
-Observing and reflecting on the disparities of wealth, education, and resources throughout the city of Berkeley
-Learning how to rest and take Sabbaths every weekend

Welcome!

Welcome to the Cal BAYUP blog!

The Bay Area Urban Project begins on Thursday, June 21st for staff, and on Sunday, June 24th for students. We will be having a week of orientation at Patten College in Oakland, and then will be heading off to our team placements.

We're excited to share our stories of transformation with you throughout the summer. Please check back soon for more info about our team members and site placements.