The Gift of Kids: Doo Da’s Activities Gives Assistance To Bayview Hunters Point Youth.
Vannoy “Kiss Kiss” McCree
Dooda Activities
Doo Da Activities is a non-profit, community-based organization catered to San Francisco youth. Importantly, that specializes in organized activities that create safe spaces for youth to engage in constructive activities with other children from different communities.
Owner Vannoy McCree “Kiss, Kiss” who was born and raised in the Bayview Hunter’s Point Community, where she still currently lives raising her children. In addition, growing up in San Francisco she watched her grand-mother advocate for the youth of Bayview Hunters Point, and never imagined herself being an advocate in the same community.
Nonetheless, McCree started her business after a horrific accident struck her family on Tuesday, June 13, 2021. When her two-year-old son, Omari fell from a four-story window at the Alice Griffith Housing Development. Undoubtedly, she received a phone call while her and her fiancé were on vacation. Moreover, after the initial shock she had several questions. Is Omari alive? The most pressing question was how?
Apart from this, as her son Omari healed, she tried to comprehend the ‘How” from a variety of perspectives. How could this have been prevented? How can we protect young children that reside or visit this housing development.
Subsequently, the Alice Griffith Housing Development has 50 families with children under the age of ten that live in a unit on the second floor or higher. McCree said we need to act now to prevent this from happening again. Finally, her hope is this information will provide awareness and a few quick fixes that will help families.
Where did you get your inspiration from?
I got my inspiration from my son falling. Notably, we all go through things that create a passage of what our road will be like. Importantly, when my son almost lost his life. Subsequently, that was a reminder 'Kiss" you need to be doing more. Moreover, I'm not saying I wasn’t. It just showed me how short life was. I created this program so my son and I could spend more time together. Nonetheless, from there, I saw the need to help more kids. In particular, in the community that was needed.
How has San Francisco shaped you?
The Bayview has shaped me, and my upbringing has shaped me. I went through all the things I went through growing up. I'm not saying it was bad, but it molded me into who I am today.
Who are some of your influences?
My mom, Robin Moore of Bayview Hunters Point, keeps me going and motivates me. She was a hustler, a go-getter. Conversely, she still found time to be a part of something I created. Notably, she never missed a Doo Da activity. Unquestionably, if she was never proud of anything I did, it was that. I hear her in the back of my head when I feel like giving up.
Additionally, I could hear her saying Kiss, I'm proud of you. Keep pushing, keep going, and keep striving. Above all, she would say that my daughter has a 501(c)(3), and my mother didn't even know what a 501(c)(3) was. As well as that, she would go all around Third Street telling people, "My daughter has a 501(c)(3)," I will genuinely always be honored, and that will always keep fuel to my flame.
