The Women Behind San Francisco's All My Usos

The grassroots organization provides vital services and resources to Pacific Islander families in the Bayview neighborhood.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:14am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a traditional Samoan woven basket, repeated in a tight grid pattern to create a modern pop art representation of the cultural heritage celebrated by the All My Usos organization.The vibrant cultural items and community-driven programs of All My Usos bring joy and empowerment to Pacific Islander families in San Francisco's Bayview neighborhood.Bayview Today

All My Usos (AMU) is a San Francisco-based nonprofit that has provided support and services to thousands of Pacific Islander families over the last decade. Founded by the late Jaytee Mauia in 2015, AMU continues his legacy under the leadership of his wife, Christine Mauia, and an all-women team. The organization focuses on breaking cultural taboos around mental health, grief, and financial literacy within the local Pacific Islander community.

Why it matters

AMU's community-driven approach and cultural understanding allow the organization to serve Pacific Islander families more effectively than external city agencies. By addressing sensitive topics like mental health and grief, AMU is working to break generational trauma and empower the next generation to thrive, not just survive.

The details

AMU was founded by Jaytee Mauia in 2015 while he was battling stomach cancer. After his passing in 2018, his wife Christine Mauia took over as Executive Director and has continued the organization's mission of providing support and resources to Pacific Islander families in San Francisco's Bayview neighborhood. AMU's all-women team, including Community Health Worker Shirley Alapati and Associate Mental Health Therapist Tina Sataraka, focus on breaking cultural taboos around mental health, grief, and financial literacy through programs like monthly group therapy sessions and financial literacy workshops.

  • AMU was founded in 2015 by Jaytee Mauia.
  • Jaytee Mauia passed away in 2018.
  • Christine Mauia became Executive Director after her husband's passing.

The players

Jaytee Mauia

The late founder of All My Usos, who started the organization in 2015 during his battle with stomach cancer.

Christine Mauia

The current Executive Director of All My Usos and the wife of the organization's late founder, Jaytee Mauia.

Shirley Alapati

A Community Health Worker at All My Usos who helps connect Pacific Islander families with the organization's programs and services.

Tina Sataraka

An Associate Mental Health Therapist at All My Usos who focuses on addressing cultural taboos around mental health and grief within the Pacific Islander community.

Jillian Payuran

A senior marketing director and financial educator who has partnered with AMU to provide free financial literacy workshops for local families.

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What they’re saying

“AMU wasn't birthed or formed in a boardroom or for a political vote. It was formed in my husband's hospital bed while he was going through chemo. And because he's from the community, as we all are, I think it's more than just some people that just got hired on to come and do this work. This is rooted in us.”

— Christine Mauia, Executive Director, All My Usos

“So it's how can we provide access to quality of life, especially resources that are not just only culturally rooted, but beneficial for our people to thrive. For too long, folks are in survival mode. And we're trying to cultivate a generation of folks who can live in an environment where they're thriving.”

— Tina Sataraka, Associate Mental Health Therapist, All My Usos

“I really appreciate that. Because if they didn't do stuff like that, my family would have never been helped.”

— Jillian Payuran, Senior Marketing Director, World System Builder

What’s next

AMU plans to continue expanding its mental health and financial literacy programs to better serve the Pacific Islander community in San Francisco's Bayview neighborhood.

The takeaway

All My Usos is a grassroots organization rooted in the Bayview community, providing vital services and resources that empower Pacific Islander families to move from survival mode to thriving. By addressing cultural taboos and generational trauma, AMU is creating a more supportive environment for the next generation.