Home
Skyscraper Ministries
Intervention Services Responding to the Spiritual, Psychological, Social, and Educational Needs of Church & Community

Dr. Ammar Saheli: Dr. Ammar Saheli is the Minister of the West Oakland Church of Christ and works with the development of Skyscraper Ministries. He also operates as the Director of Student Support Services within the San Lorenzo Unified School District. He is the CEO of Saheli7 Educational Consulting and an adjunct professor of Argosy University. Educationally, Dr. Saheli has a BA in psychology (SFSU), MS in Counseling (SFSU), doctorate in International & Multicultural Education (USF), and two credentials: PPSC (SFSU), and Administrative (CSUEB).

Tonya Saheli, MS: Tonya was born and raised in Oakland, CA, and is a product of Oakland Public Schools. After graduating high school in 1994, she attended the University of San Francisco, receiving a B.S. in Biology in 1998. After completing a BS degree, Tonya worked as a Life Science Research Assistant at Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Genetics. In her role as a Research Assistant, she was instrumental in mapping the entire Human Genome. Her work on this project was published in Science Magazine in 2001. In 2003, Tonya was accepted into a joint M.S. program between Cal State Hayward and San Diego where she received her MS in Regulatory Affairs in Science in 2005. She published a Thesis entitled "The Existence of Subpopulation Disparities in Clinical Trials and Drug Labeling: New Molecular Entities Approved During 1998-2003". Mrs. Saheli entered Law School at John F. Kennedy University School of Law in 2007 and is currently in her third and final year, expecting to graduate in May 2010. Mrs. Saheli also works as a Regulatory Compliance Consultant as well as the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) of Saheli7 Educational Consulting. Mrs. Saheli loves to give back to her community and provides legal and structural support to Skyscraper Ministries.

Yolanda Vasquez, MA: Yolanda Vasquez is a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern and currently works with San Francisco 's Drug Court through the City and County of San Francisco . She has worked with adolescents, adults and families in a variety of settings including both residential and outpatient treatment. She also has many years of experience providing substance abuse counseling. Yolanda received her Bachelors degree in Psychology at the University of CA , Davis and her Master's degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of San Francisco.

Robert S. Adams, Ph.D.: Rob Adams is probation officer in Contra Costa County who has over 30 years experience in social service work. He blends a unique combination of academic training tempered by practical experience. He has a B.A. in Rhetoric from the University of California, Berkeley; an M.A. in Speech Communication from California State University, Los Angeles; and a Doctorate in Rhetoric and Communication from the University of Oregon, with special emphasis in textural analysis and interpersonal communication. He has been a college professor and a corporate trainer. In 1985, he determined that he wanted to become a full-time youth worker and has focused on working with at-risk youth ever since and, in the process, has demonstrated ongoing expertise in grantsmanship, program development and community training.

Alicia Blacknell, MS Candidate: Alicia Blacknell is currently a middle school Resource Specialist for the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District. She has previously worked as a tutor and curriculum support developer for Making Waves Education Program. Alicia has a BA in Child and Adolescent Development with an Emphasis on School Aged Children and Families (SFSU) and is currently working towards a MA in Special Education and a Level II Education Specialist Credential (TU). She plans to attend USF or SMC to work towards earning a Credential, Masters, and Doctorate degree in Education Leadership. Alicia has experience working with children from ages 0-19, writing IEPs, and developing curriculum to help students become more successful.

Keyna R. Kirklen Cobb, MS: Keyna R. Kirklen Cobb holds a Bachelors of Arts in Broadcast Journalism from Howard University with a Minor on Theatre Arts and a Master of Arts in Education from Pepperdine University. She is now in a Doctoral of Education program majoring in Leadership, Administration and Policy at Pepperdine University. Ms. Kirklen Cobb has taught school age children in the subjects of English, Public Speaking/Speech and Dance and Movement. She has experience in teaching Critical Thinking at the college level. She has also held several pageant titles and a host of other activities where learning and teaching etiquette skills was part of the process. Ms. Kirklen Cobb was raised in the Body of Christ and has been a member of the Church of Christ in West Oakland for over three years.

La Toya (Ghiavanna) Strickland, MS Candidate: La Toya Strickland is an Educational Specialist at Lincoln Child Center in Oakland, California. Additionally, she is a substance abuse counselor for Thunder Roads, located in Oakland, California. She has worked with children diagnosed with Emotional Disorders for over five years, and with children in preschools, elementary, and middle schools for ten years. She is most familiar with the position of After School Director in lieu of teaching, as she has done for three years. She has taught in After School programs for two years. She has been a Resource Specialist, Tutor, Ambassador, and Interviewer for the Oakland Unified School District. Through her first three years of collegiate experience, she worked in the Medical field as a Registration Clerk and Emergency Medical Technician (She is trained in first aid and CPR). She received her Bachelors of Art in Psychology in 2006 at CSU East Bay and is currently receiving her Masters of Education, Educational Specialist Credential, and Multiple Subjects Credential at Alliant International University in San Francisco. She aspires to continue her education in Child Psychology and Educational Administration. These culminating experiences allow her to make a professional commitment to serving youth as a Teacher, Tutor, and Mentor in the Skyscraper Ministries at the West Oakland Church of Christ.

Mark Hall, BA: A native of Oakland, California; Mark Oliver Hall serves his community from the West Oakland Church of Christ and is dedicated to the development and sustainability of Skyscraper Ministries. Mark serves as Project Manager of Capital Improvement Projects for the City of Oakland Office of Parks and Recreation and is a graduate of Morehouse College, with a BA in Political Science; and plans to attend the UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy. Mark has a spiritual passion for; and extensive community revitalization experience. Mark seeks to contribute to solution based approaches to sustainable community and economic development of individuals, families and businesses.

Elizabeth Blessing Elimimian, BS: Elizabeth Blessing Elimimian graduated with honors from the University of California, Berkeley pre-medicine with a Bachelors of Arts in Ethnic Studies. Upon graduation, she was chosen by a group of her peers and professors to be the graduation speaker for the graduating class of 2007. She currently works for Alameda County Public Health Department and as an assistant office manager for Alta Bates Medical Center. Her professional aspirations involve a career as a surgeon and down the line a position in healthcare that will allow her to open clinics, influence policy, and effect change in our and international health systems. She has been selected for a wide range of research projects and publications that have allowed her to work for the NFL, Harbor UCLA Medical Center, California Pacific Medical Center, Los Angeles Unified School District, and Weil Cornell Medical College in New York. She has currently been admitted to the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University where she will obtain a Masters in Healthcare Management and a Masters in Health Policy. While at Emory, Elizabeth will strive to obtain an internship or job position at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has a strong affiliation with Emory University and is located down the street from the campus. Her overall objective is to use the knowledge and skills obtained in her life and academic experiences and endeavors to further God's work through His Church.

Shatho Joy Nfila, MS: A native of Botswana (Southern Africa) Ms. Nfila holds a B.A in Sociology/Environmental Science. As an aspiring researcher Joy was nominated by the Sociology Department to pursue an M.A in International Development Studies from the University of Botswana. Joy's scholarly articles include a thesis entitled: "HIV/AIDS Confronting the Stigma and Reality through Life Histories" and "Understanding HIV/AIDS from a Sociological Perspective". After graduating Joy worked in HIV/AIDS programs in her country where the disease was reaching astronomical levels and was declared a state of emergency. Joy intends to use her skills and expertise acquired during her work in Africa and the USA to fight the scourge and hopefully contribute to the United Nations Millennium Goals of 2015.

Mark Carney, MA: Mark Carney currently works for the State of California as a Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, the mission is to provide leads and locate jobs for persons with Disabilities. He is committed to assisting people in becoming self sufficient and independent. Mark has experience as a Program Teacher, and Counselor, and Completed his BA. in Sociology at MaDonna University in the Detroit Suburbs, and completed his MS. in Psychology at California Coast University in Santa Ana, California. Preparing youth to enter into suitable employment is his primary objective. This will promote character, independence, and contribute to the Community.

Carlos Jackson: Carlos Jackson is a mature college student reaching for is BA and advanced degrees. He is a young man suited for sharing the Gospel of Christ & helping the younger generation aspire to reach their dreams. With a passion for psychology, counseling, and the world of education, connecting yourself or your youth to Mr. Jackson under the guise of mentorship will be a tremendous transaction.

Jacqui Jackson: Born and raised in Oakland and having attended Oakland public schools, city college, and local vocational programs, her infatuation to help others began in her early 20's when she realized she had gone through tough obstacles successfully enough to help the next generation understand themselves. She owes her passion to the glory of God who found favor in her, keeping her alive to share her life with others in hopes to help someone help someone else. This is her way of giving back to the community.

Margaret Jefferson, MA: Margaret Jefferson was born and raised in Oakland and is a product of Oakland Unified School district. Margaret holds a BA in Early Childhood Development, from Spelman College, Atlanta GA. (1994). After living and teaching in Atlanta for seven years, she moved back to the bay area. Mrs. Jefferson taught in Oakland Unified School District as an Elementary school teacher for three years. While teaching in Oakland,
she realized her desire to go into special education. Mrs. Jefferson attended University of San Francisco, where she earned her Mild/Moderate Specialist Teaching credential and MA in Curriculum and Instruction in
2001. She later moved to New Haven Unified Schools where she currently teaches as a High School, Special Day Class teacher, Resource Specialist. and Home Instruction/Independent study teacher to those with special needs. Mrs. Jefferson has worked in New Haven for over 10 years and currently serves as her departments’ Chairperson and district coordinator for Special Education Home Instruction and Independent Studies programs. Mrs. Jefferson seeks to get her administrative credential and some day work as an administrator with hopes to make improvements to special education as an administrator in that field. In addition to her career, Mrs. Jefferson is currently a certified Doula. (A servant to pregnant woman in regards to prenatal counseling, labor and delivery counseling and coaching, post partum counseling and nursing support. ) As a Doula, Mrs Jefferson has helped several young women to smoothly transition into motherhood. She also works as an advocate to families of Children with special needs. Margaret is a member of the West Oakland Christ Of Christ where she serves on the
Childrens/Nursery, kitchen and most recently the Skyscraper ministries. She is married to Jason Jefferson and she feels her biggest challenge and reward in life are rearing her two children: Eirene Gabriella (8) and Hannah Isabella (6). Mrs. Jefferson’s passion is in educating and serving those in her family, church and the Bay Area Communities.

Robyn Stovall: Bio coming soon