vicki abadesco! is an expert educator and program consultant with over 15 years of leadership work with schools and organizations throughout the United States and abroad. Her extensive work with a wide diversity of thousands of youth and adults allows her to have a constant pulse on what people need to be launched into lifelong success and growth.

Her expertise and training includes individual and group level counseling, conflict resolution, crisis intervention and accelerated learning techniques. She has written, created and produced several life skills curriculum manuals and activity card decks, including Leadership: Truth or Dare and Mentor Magic.

vicki! is also the developer for the companion curriculum to the College Life 101 internet radio talk show for students, distributed to First Year Experience educators from more than 50 schools across the nation.

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is a California credentialed teacher who has been working in education for over 16 years. He believes that educating the whole person and creating a safe environment are imperative to having successful learning experiences. In addition to his classroom teaching his educational accomplishments include directing student generated plays, training conflict resolution skills for youth and adults, conducting school wide assemblies on peace and creating practical curriculum.

As a teacher, Joseph is known for crafting nurturing and academically focused atmospheres for his students. As a teacher coach/mentor he is supportive and inspiring. In addition to his educational experience he has written, performed, and directed theater productions throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

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Daniel Bruno
FACILITATOR

Daniel is an award winning actor and musician from the Bay Area. His work in the arts branched out to teaching acting and directing plays for children a few years ago, and eventually led him to Soul Shoppe, where Daniel feels right at home. Daniel brings with him over twenty years experience, a boat-load of passion and a whole lotta love. 

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Raymond Hendricks
FACILITATOR

A native Californian, Raymond was born in Watts and grew up in Fresno and Sacramento.  While he did fine academically, Raymond had a hard time expressing the emotions he felt as an adolescent.  Fortunately, he found sports to be an area in which he could excel.  Finding his true calling in Track and Field, he ranked top in the State in the triple jump.

Raymond strongly believes that if he had been exposed to a program like Soul Shoppe in his youth, things would have been much different.  Life events, including the loss of his eldest daughter, drew Raymond to Soul Shoppe.  He knows how it feels to have conflicting thoughts and emotions, and he believes that if he can touch just one child, he can make a life-long difference in their life. 

James Jackson
FACILITATOR

In 2006, James jumped into his car and drove cross-country from Michigan to California with the goal of working with Soul Shoppe and at-risk youth.  James comes to Soul Shoppe with great energy and natural talents.  He grew up in the mid-west and graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in Communications and Journalism.  He played college baseball and continues to love sports. 

Since moving to San Francisco, James has served as a Residential Counselor at Seneca Center, an organization that helps children and families through difficult times.  James believes that Soul Shoppe has been great in his personal and professional life, and he really enjoys being a positive role model for young people.

Melanie Hopson
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR

Melanie has enjoyed a variety of positions in community organizations.   For 20 years she has worked in school districts, summer and day camps, non-profits, the YMCA, and various ecumenical settings.   Melanie is extremely skilled at creating systems and advancing great ideas.  She’s one of those people who can’t help but be organized and detail-oriented. 

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Rahshida Kayaba
FACILITATOR

Growing up as the “runt” in a family with 7 children, Rahshida quickly learned to survive, and then to thrive.  Desiring to be a catalyst for positive change, she has focused her life efforts on women and children. For 30 years, Rahshida has worked with parks and recreation programs, alternative schools, and daycare programs.

A dedicated and passionate social activist, she has lead healing workshops for women, participated in anti-violence movements, and organized various cultural celebrations.  Rahshida is a proud mother and a grandmother.  On her list of personal heroes, Rahshida points to her own mother who bravely led her family out of difficulties and models a strong faith.   Rahshida feels blessed by the opportunity to empower children with the tools to create a life filled with more peace. 

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Amy MacClain
FACILITATOR

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Carrie Santi
WEB & GRAPHIC DESIGNER

is an web designer and developer, and has been doing so since 1992. Her backgorund is in journalsim design, but she began tackling web design in 1997 when she started working at an on-line magazine in Chicago. Carrie left those chilly streets in 2000 only to find her independent colleagues setting up shop in San Franciso. Carrie blissfully enjoys her life and work in the Bay Area & has been fortunate to be the resident designer for Soul Shoppe since they opened their doors in 2000. See more of her work.

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Heath L Wood, PhD
FACILITATOR

Having been through a childhood of neglect and abuse, Heath finds great fulfillment in making the choice of rededicating himself continually to a life of authenticity and compassion. As a national and international speaker and facilitator, he brings his powerful life experience and leadership to audiences of all ages.

Heath holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. He has worked with people clinically for nearly a decade. Having served in numerous substance abuse and community mental health settings, he has provided treatment in the form of individual, group, family, and couples therapy. Being a natural teacher he has taught at the college level and has provided psycho-educational classes on topics such as stress reduction and meditation. He has also conducted numerous presentations for clients and colleagues in such areas as substance abuse, trauma, depression and suicide, as well as providing skill-building workshops to help people develop the necessary skills to be successful in life.

Where ever he goes, Heath is dedicated to creating a safe space for people to move beyond fear and anxiety, into a deep sense of appreciation and acceptance for themselves and others.