Roberto Ariel Vargas

Peer Leader, Mission High School

Program Coordinator, Visitacion Valley Middle School, Aptos Middle School, and School of the Arts

Changemakers Coordinator, Media Bomb

"As a young person in the 90s I was blessed to meet Ariel as the Changemakers Coordinator for Media Bomb. They used their skills in media to bring awareness to police brutality and media injustice. He has always used culture to empower. He is currently in a role that gives space for education around diabetes prevention and the inequities in our neighborhoods when it comes to drinking water and fresh fruit accessibility. These are conversations that most families do not have, conversations that could actually save the lives of so many people of color in our communities. Ariel is a Changemaker, changing mindsets and changing our families' health."

Roberto Ariel Vargas, MPH is a Navigator for the Center for Community Engagement and the Community Engagement and Health Policy Program of UCSF’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute. In this role, Roberto participates in—and sometimes leads—multi-stakeholder health initiatives that leverage UCSF research and resources, with a focus on equity. Roberto helps disseminate evidence-base practice nationally and internationally for UCSF.

A native San Franciscan and second-generation graduate of Mission High School, twice alumna of San Francisco State University, Roberto takes pride in serving this City. As a second-generation resident of the Fillmore, Mission District and Bayview Hunters Point, Roberto is especially honored to serve the communities in SF that are burdened by inequity, but strong on grit and struggle.

He has served as chair of the board of CARECEN SF, co-chair of the Bayview HEAL Zone, co-chair of the Shape Up San Francisco Coalition and co-chair of the SF Sugary Drinks Distributor Tax Advisory Committee. He also serves on the leadership of the Chicano/Latino/indigena Health Equity Coalition in SF, and on the National Cancer Institute’s National Council of Research Advocates.

Roberto has published poetry and academic articles, painted murals and practices Aztec Dance Traditions with his family.

But he can only do anything, with the love and support of his wife, children, family and community.

Photo credit: Luke Abiol, SOTA Peer Resources, 1997-98

"My parents and my elders have given me the example of serving my community and communities in struggle.

"I hope to continue to serve my community until I am gone. I consider it a privilege to serve my community, and hope to do it with love, care and humility.

"As far as youth as concerned: having two teenagers at home with me, I hope to be patient and compassionate, and to demonstrate a good example for them and for anyone who needs or wants one. After many years of serving and advocating for youth, raising teenagers has taught me that I have a great deal to learn about how to help raise people to be responsible, humble contributors to the world. May I be open to learning!

"My teenagers inspire me the way their friends are queer, and it isn’t an issue. The way they call out class and race privilege, within very privileged contexts. The way they challenge sexism. So, the greatest impact I hope to have to have on young people is to get out of their way, to listen, and to be supportive. I believe the youth will make a better world than we’ve left them."

Roberto Ariel Vargas