On April 20, 2024, amidst the boots, bling, and line dancing at our annual Ruby Boots Gala, we took time to recognize the community spirit in the room. We were thrilled to present the 2024 Community Hero Award to Jasmine Tarkoff whose tireless dedication and transformative leadership have illuminated the path towards a brighter future for Contra Costa County’s most vulnerable populations.
Jasmine’s dedication to increasing the availability of affordable, dignified housing in the region knows no bounds. Her innovative approach and visionary leadership have paved the way for the creation of beautiful housing communities that serve as havens for marginalized neighbors in need. Through her tireless efforts, Jasmine has introduced groundbreaking solutions to address the pressing social crisis of housing insecurity.
Central to Jasmine’s achievements is her remarkable ability to forge partnerships with faith-based organizations, uniting them in a shared mission of compassion and social justice. By harnessing the moral authority and collective power of these organizations, she has demonstrated the immense impact of collaboration in tackling societal challenges.
Moreover, Jasmine has exhibited exemplary leadership in mobilizing a diverse array of partners from across the community to drive meaningful change. From leading community organizing efforts in Antioch to collaborating with public officials and other organizations, she has showcased the transformative potential of collective action.
Jasmine’s dedication to increasing the availability of affordable, dignified housing in the region knows no bounds. Her innovative approach and visionary leadership have paved the way for the creation of beautiful housing communities that serve as havens for marginalized neighbors in need. Through her tireless efforts, Jasmine has introduced groundbreaking solutions to address the pressing social crisis of housing insecurity.
Central to Jasmine’s achievements is her remarkable ability to forge partnerships with faith-based organizations, uniting them in a shared mission of compassion and social justice. By harnessing the moral authority and collective power of these organizations, she has demonstrated the immense impact of collaboration in tackling societal challenges.
Moreover, Jasmine has exhibited exemplary leadership in mobilizing a diverse array of partners from across the community to drive meaningful change. From leading community organizing efforts in Antioch to collaborating with public officials and other organizations, she has showcased the transformative potential of collective action.
Beyond advocacy, Jasmine’s contributions extend to assembling a stellar team of professionals to ensure the meticulous planning and execution of every aspect of these communities. Her leadership of the Homes Heal Hearts capital campaign has been instrumental in securing funding essential for sustaining these housing initiatives for generations to come.
In accepting the award, Jasmine expressed profound gratitude to her family, mentors, colleagues, and community partners whose unwavering support has been integral to her success. She emphasized that the award truly belongs to the entire community, recognizing the contributions of all those who have dedicated their time, talents, and resources to the cause of providing dignified solutions to homelessness.
During her acceptance speech, Jasmine invited everyone present to stand, acknowledging each individual and their role in the collective effort. From family members to mentors, from board members to community organizers, from elected officials to faith leaders, Jasmine celebrated the collaborative spirit that drives positive change in Contra Costa County.
“Rabbi Jonathan Sacks says, ‘Community is the human expression of Divine love'” said Jasmine, “a love that we each express by not standing idly by but by showing up with compassion, kindness, empathy and unity.”
Jasmine was formerly the president of Temple Isaiah, a 900-family congregation in Lafayette and a Hope Solutions founding congregation. She is also the co-convener of the Multi-faith ACTION Coalition, a coalition of faith institutions in Contra Costa County, which addresses the root causes of poverty through advocacy and public policy change. Jasmine’s two decades of experience in working with faith institutions has prepared her well to lead projects on faith owned land.
This award is not just a recognition of Jasmine’s individual achievements, but a celebration of the power of community to effect meaningful and lasting change. As she aptly stated, “the award begins with the word “community” because it is a testament to the collective achievements, shared values, and boundless potential of the Hope Solutions community and all those who contribute to its noble mission.”
Jasmine was formerly the president of Temple Isaiah, a 900-family congregation in Lafayette and a Hope Solutions founding congregation. She is also the co-convener of the Multi-faith ACTION Coalition, a coalition of faith institutions in Contra Costa County, which addresses the root causes of poverty through advocacy and public policy change. Jasmine’s two decades of experience in working with faith institutions has prepared her well to lead projects on faith owned land.
This award is not just a recognition of Jasmine’s individual achievements, but a celebration of the power of community to effect meaningful and lasting change. As she aptly stated, “the award begins with the word “community” because it is a testament to the collective achievements, shared values, and boundless potential of the Hope Solutions community and all those who contribute to its noble mission.”