Jasmine Starks
Jasmine Starks is a Crisis Specialist at Solari, Inc., where she has spent the past four years providing frontline crisis support to individuals experiencing suicidal ideation, domestic violence, and homelessness. With more than seven years of experience in the field, Jasmine is known for her calm presence, empathy, and ability to build trust in high-stress situations. Her work centers on safety planning, rapid response coordination, and connecting people to critical resources, always guided by her core values of faith, family, and treating every person with dignity and kindness. Jasmine began her career in the Bay Area working directly with youth and individuals experiencing homelessness, including serving as a youth counselor in Oakland where she helped develop and launch a program from the ground up that guided participants into education and employment pathways. She later managed shelter operations during the height of COVID, opening a youth program while supporting families through unprecedented challenges. Her experience also includes grant support work with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) in Phoenix, where she hosted office hours and assisted community organizations participating in a large-scale funding initiative. Beyond her professional roles, Jasmine is the founder of Abundant Love, a volunteer initiative she has led for nearly a decade. Through Abundant Love, she organizes Thanksgiving meals, hygiene and clothing drives, and fundraising efforts to support shelters and underserved communities across the country. A graduate of California State University, East Bay with a degree in Mass Communication and Media Studies, Jasmine brings strong communication, organization, and behind-the-scenes leadership skills to everything she does—driven by a long-term vision of creating safe, empowering spaces where youth and vulnerable populations can grow and thrive.
• California State University - East Bay- Bachelor's
• Abundantlove
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to discipline, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to accept and grow from feedback—even when it’s hard to hear. Staying calm in high-stress situations, leading with empathy shaped by my community experience, and being inspired early on by my mother’s example of serving the homeless have all grounded how I show up in my work.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to stay calm, build trust first, and focus on creating clear safety plans—because when you remain grounded, you can respond quickly and connect people to the right resources when it matters most.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering this field to stay disciplined, lead with compassion, and use feedback—positive or negative—as a tool for growth. Always prioritize your mental health, remain true to your values, and maintain balance by keeping family and self-care at the forefront while supporting others.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field include supporting individuals who may be unwilling or unable to accept help, managing the emotional toll of crisis work, and navigating legal or ethical limits on intervention. Key opportunities lie in strengthening networks between crisis lines, shelters, and community organizations, increasing mental health awareness, and expanding prevention programs for youth and at-risk populations.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are faith, family, and service to others, guiding how I treat people with kindness, compassion, gratitude, and humility. I’m also a proud aunt who cherishes travel and staying connected to loved ones.