The whole time, Vincent cycled through the sytem of countless foster homes, group homes, juvenile halls, and mental health facilities, along with a 19 year drug addiction. After serving nearly five years of a seven-year sentence, Vincent was released from the California Department of Corrections in 2019, only to face homelessness once again. Determined not to fall back into life on the streets, he turned his attention to improving public spaces in his community, which he saw were neglected. Vincent embarked on a mission to clean parks and encampments, involving the unhoused in the process and ensuring they had the necessary tools for ongoing sustainability. This initiative led to the creation of the Urban Compassion Project, aimed at fostering safer and more humane public areas for everyone, irrespective of their background.

Vincent’s work is influenced by his tenure as Operations Manager and Benefits Manager at The Oakland LGBTQ Community Center, which he credits for his personal growth and ability to express his compassion through community service. His efforts have earned him accolades from the City of Oakland for his contributions to making the city cleaner and more vibrant, as well as recognition as Person of the Year by The Coalition for a Better Oakland and a Jefferson Award in 2021 for his community engagement.

Vincent is passionate about serving society and advocating for human rights, particularly focusing on at-risk youth and the rights of people of color and the unhoused. His journey reflects a commitment to change through individual action and community involvement. For public speaking engagements or to learn more about his district work and training programs, Vincent can be contacted at Vincent@urbancompassionproject.org.

After moving to Oakland, California in July 2020, Supriya became increasingly concerned about the state of the Bay Area, one of the most expensive regions in the world yet marked by extreme inequality between the richest and poorest populations in the country. At the time, she was pursuing her MBA at UC Berkeley Haas but found herself unable to focus on anything other than the growing crisis around her. The rampant disregard for unhoused residents and the illegal dumping on encampments deeply troubled her. She felt compelled to take action for the most vulnerable and to help restore dignity to unhoused communities across the East Bay. Vincent’s story inspired her to get involved, and she has been an integral part of UCP ever since.

In her free time, Supriya enjoys exploring the outdoors with her pup, playing scrabble, cooking up a storm, and listening to funky music.

With 20+ years of experience designing and building operational systems for national organizations through periods of significant growth and transition, she is committed to advising and measurably supporting UCP’s continued growth in ways that honor the community-centered work Vincent, Supriya and team have built.

Ethan Choy is a native of the East Bay and practices law with a focus on state and local tax controversy matters. His work has included service with public agencies and community-focused organizations, shaping his commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship.

Her passion for volunteering deepened after meeting the Executive Director and learning more about the organization’s mission and impact. Outside of her board service, she enjoys hiking and reading and remains dedicated to supporting meaningful, long-term change in the community.

She is heavily involved in the local DIY event space and likes to plan elaborate food gatherings with her friends. Eliza has worked as a software engineer and educator and is a sculptor and cake-maker.

Kirill oversees the systems that keep UCP organized, visible, and scalable, from volunteer coordination tools to the digital platforms that support community engagement. He continues to work hands-on in the field while building the technical foundation that helps UCP grow and serve more communities across the city.