Crystal Brookter
Black to the Future Lead Program Coordinator
Young Community Developers
Crystal Brookter was born and raised in Fresno, California and has resided in the Bay Area since 2013. She obtained her AA degree in 2008 from Fresno City College and her BA degree in Social Work in 2010 from CSU Fresno. Her desire to work with “at risk youth” began in 2008 when she started work as a Youth Care Worker. Working with “at risk youth” boys, was not an easy task. There were numerous of times where she was disrespected, and told that she was only there for a pay check. Although the boys had their opinions, she was actually interested in each and every youth she encountered as they had their own unique stories that led them down the path they were in. As she continued to build a rapport with the youth and showed them that their life stories, and well-being mattered to her, she explained that she began to feel a sense of trust and respect.
As Crystal continued to work within the field of Social Services in various roles as an In Home Support Counselor working with foster youth and an Instructional Aid working with Middle School students, it wasn’t until she moved to the Bay Area in 2013 when she was actually able to see her growth. Leaving two part time jobs behind and moving on faith, she managed to land a job as a Truancy Case Manager, working with truant youth. There were days that she felt defeated, however she knew that if she was able to reach at least one youth she would be making a difference. Youth never really gave the recognition in the moment, however it may have been days, months, years after working with them that they would shoot a text or email thanking her for working with them and showing off their High School Diploma.
After having her daughter in 2014 a year after moving to the Bay Area, she embarked on her Journey with Young Community Developers, whose primary focus is workforce development. She began her career as an Educational Employment Specialist wearing numerous hats. She worked with youth from Thurgood Marshall High School, in San Francisco, California and assisted Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) with employment assistance. She worked with youth from Thurgood during school ensuring they were on task in class and providing them academic support after school as well as providing them job readiness training.
In 2015 she was promoted to be the Family Support Coordinator for Black to the Future initiative. Black to the Future is a city-driven, community-based, wrap-around service model providing support for San Francisco Black residents. Their mission statement: Black to the Future is unapologetically committed to improving the quality of life of Black People within San Francisco and enhancing educational and economic opportunities for our community by instilling the necessary tools to become successful. Black to the Future focuses on five service areas: Family Support and Advocacy, Education, Health & Wellness, Workforce and Violence Prevention, which are provided by 16 different organizations around San Francisco.
As the Family Support Coordinator, it was Crystal’s job to link youth and their families to services to help them reach sustainability. As the initiative grew, so did Crystal. In 2016, Crystal served in a dual role as a Family Support Coordinator and the Lead Program Coordinator overseeing the entire initiative. As Crystal began to build a solid team, it was not until late Fall of 2016 that she was able to fully embrace and embark on her leadership journey as the Lead Program Coordinator. Looking back, she realizes that all the hats that she has worn throughout the course of her journey has led her up to this moment.
““It’s complicated to be a Black American in position at this time.””
Now in 2020, Crystal is not only grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a great cohort of Leaders of Color, but it has also allowed her to be her authentic self and realize she is not alone in this fight. She will continue to serve the most underserved population in San Francisco, and continue to lead with her head held high.