Turning Pain Into Purpose: How Vannoy McCree Is Building a Safer Future for San Francisco’s Children.

Vannoy encompasses a wonderful example of what we look for at Coleman Advocates; someone who has survived a series of challenges and wants to give back. She is exactly what our community needs, an ally with a deep passion to fight to fight against the injustices that are continually happening to them.

For Vannoy McCree advocacy began with a moment no parent ever wants to experience

Five years ago, her two-year-old son fell from a porch railing in a life-altering accident. While her son survived, the experience changed McCree forever.

“It showed me how short life could potentially be,” she said. “From there, I saw the need to be more engaged—not only with my kids, but with other people’s kids too.”

Today, McCree serves as a Community Specialist at Coleman Advocates, where she channels that experience into community organizing, youth support, and safety education. Her work is driven by a simple belief: every child deserves the support and opportunities needed to thrive.

Finding Purpose Through Tragedy

Following her son’s accident, McCree dedicated herself to raising awareness about window and fall safety. She visited residential buildings, distributed educational materials, and spoke with families about precautions many parents never consider until it’s too late.

“You don’t know what you don’t know,” she said. “And then you know when it’s too late.”

The work became more than a safety campaign. It became part of her healing process.

Surrounding herself with children, families, and community members helped her transform a painful chapter into a mission focused on prevention and support. While she knows she can’t prevent every tragedy, she remains committed to doing everything she can to educate families and keep children safe.

A Commitment to Community

Born and raised in San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood, McCree understands firsthand the challenges many young people face.

Growing up, she saw how a lack of opportunities and support could limit a person’s future. Those experiences now shape her approach to community work.

“When you grow up the way that we do, sometimes you don’t have the means because there isn’t a lot of support,” she explained.

Her goal is to help change that reality.

Whether a young person dreams of becoming an athlete, entrepreneur, artist, or community leader, McCree believes they deserve encouragement and resources to pursue those goals.

“Finding the need and being the solution,” she said, is at the heart of what she hopes to accomplish.

Why Kids Come First

Ask McCree what excites her most about her work, and her answer comes quickly.

“Kids. I love kids.”

For her, investing in young people is investing in the future of the community.

“Kids are our future,” she said. “Grown-ups are cool, but it’s the kids for me.”

That passion is what drew her to Coleman Advocates, an organization that she says aligns closely with her values and allows her to focus on serving children and families.

For years, much of her community work was done independently and often without sufficient

As McCree continues her work at Coleman Advocates, she invites families, neighbors, and community members to join him at this year’s Dooda Day celebration on June 13 at Park. The free event will feature food, activities, community resources, and opportunities for families to connect while learning about child safety and neighborhood support services. For McCree, Dooda Day is more than an event—it’s a reminder to cherish every moment, invest in young people, and take action today to build a safer, stronger future for all children. Everyone is welcome to attend and be part of the community.

Building Awareness Through ‘Dooda Day’

One of McCree’s most meaningful projects is “Dood Day” an annual community event that combines family fun, resources, and public awareness.

The event holds special significance because it is connected to June 13, the date of her son’s fall. This year’s gathering marks the first time the event will take place on the actual anniversary of the accident.

For McCree, the event is an opportunity not only to celebrate community but also to share her family’s story and educate others about child safety.

“People are having kids every day,” she said. “They’re building high-rises every day. It’s important to get my son’s story out there.”

The event features free activities for families, including food, jumpers, attractions, and access to community resources. More importantly, it creates a space where families can learn, connect, and support one another.

Dooda Day will be Saturday June 13th, 2026 at a Keith street between Armstrong and Carroll Avenues from 1-5pm. Flyers seen below.

Looking Ahead

As she continues her work at Coleman Advocates, McCree remains focused on what has motivated her from the beginning: helping children succeed and ensuring families have the resources they need.

Her journey demonstrates how personal hardship can become a catalyst for community change. What began as a parent’s response to a frightening accident has evolved into a broader mission of advocacy, prevention, and opportunity.

For McCruick, every child reached, every family informed, and every young person supported represents progress toward a stronger community.

And that, she believes, is work worth doing.

We also made a short video from the interview below:

#Colemanadvocates #Youthjustice #Doodaday