Henry Ha didn't just find his calling at CYC—he grew up with it. Starting at Benjamin Franklin middle school in San Francisco, CA in 1998, Henry discovered the power of community engagement and never looked back. At Galileo High School, he led youth sports programs and volunteered extensively before joining CYC as an intern, then growing into roles as a case manager, program assistant, and street outreach worker for the Crisis Response Network, focusing on gang violence prevention and crisis management. Each position taught him something new about resilience, hope, and meeting young people where they are.

Henry's passion for dragon boating became a game-changer when he coached San Francisco's only public youth dragon boat team, giving at-risk kids a chance to experience the transformative power of teamwork and community. He even started a team for CYC staff and parents because he believes everyone deserves that sense of belonging. Now, as Program Director for the Coalition for Community Safety and Justice team, Henry continues doing what he's always done best: showing up for San Francisco's youth and families with the heart of someone who remembers exactly what it felt like to be in their shoes.