Staff Spotlight: OHI San Diego Staff Member, Jaylan Ali

Jaylan Ali wanted a change in her career, and OHI seemed like the new beginning she was looking for. “I had worked as a restaurant general manager for years,” said Jaylan. “It was unfulfilling. The customers were always angry, and the staff would come and go. I wanted more for myself, where I could build relationships with guests and co-workers. I have found all of that and more here at OHI.”

Jaylan started as the Assistant Kitchen Manager in February 2023. “As Assistant Kitchen Manager, I help supervise the staff (6 people) and missionaries (9 people),” said Jaylan. “We prepare the raw, vegan food for guests, as well as the wheatgrass juice detox. I consider myself to be a bit shy, but when I started talking to the guests about the food, the programming, and the experience of OHI, I really came out of my shell. I like the connection I feel here. It’s so peaceful. Everyone comes to OHI with different expectations and various health opportunities, but at the end of the day everyone wants to heal their body, mind, and spirit. It’s that connection that I build with guests that heals my soul.”

In 2024, Jaylan has taken on three additional roles at OHI, in addition to her role as Assistant Kitchen Manager. “I took on the responsibility of Greenhouse Manager,” said Jaylan. “I had never grown wheatgrass or sprouts before, but I have gardened my whole life, so I took to it very quickly. I plant, cut, and harvest the wheatgrass and sprouts for our guests. I also took on the role of Facilitator for our food classes. I teach Fermented Food, Dehydrated Food, Sprouting, and Growing Wheatgrass. I love teaching all of them, but my favorite is teaching the Growing Wheatgrass class. It’s the opportunity for guests to get their hands dirty and learn how to nurture a plant. Guests are surprised to find how easy it is to grow their own wheatgrass even without a greenhouse. They are always so proud when they can juice the wheatgrass they grew themselves. They feel a real sense of accomplishment. And my other role is Night Manager, where I respond to any guest requests from 9p – 7a. I live in the apartments that house our missionary staff, so I’m right on campus and am available to assist guests whenever needed. Living on the OHI campus is such a wonderful experience. It’s so quiet and peaceful here, and it's exactly the tone I want to set in my life.”

Jaylan finds her many roles provide her life with a welcome balance. “My role in the kitchen builds on my lifelong experience in the restaurant industry,” said Jaylan. “My role as facilitator gives me meaningful opportunities to interact with guests, and I really appreciate that connection. And the time spent in the greenhouse is just pure relaxation for me. It is so satisfying to harvest the wheatgrass and sprouts as I soak up all the sunshine in the lovely quiet. Working in the greenhouse and going to the beach are really my own private ways of connecting with spirit. I also journal a lot. That has really helped me forge a more spiritual life for myself as an adult.”

Jaylan loves coffee and was curious if a wheatgrass detox could help with her caffeine addiction. “I had never been able to break my caffeine addiction because I would get a migraine every time I stopped drinking coffee,” said Jaylan. “I drank wheatgrass juice every morning and afternoon for a week and was able to maintain high energy without any headaches. I am a true believer in the power of wheatgrass!”

The days at OHI go by quickly for Jaylan, but each week she most looks forward to meeting new guests. “It’s so interesting to learn what brings them to OHI, and what their goals are for their stay,” said Jaylan. “And the changes you see in them as they go through detox are amazing. As their bodies release toxins, you can see a calm come over them. It’s really beautiful.”

Jaylan has simple advice for guests coming to OHI for the first time. “Have faith in yourself and in the program,” said Jaylan. “Just take it day by day. You will be amazed to see how your body improves and how calm and open-minded you will feel. To follow my own advice, I had the word ‘Faith’ tattooed on my arm because I always want to remember to have faith in myself. I had faith that applying to work at OHI would be a good choice for me, and it has literally changed my life.”

”I love my job, I love my co-workers, and I love the guests here. I am a better person for coming to OHI, and you will be, too.”

If you have always yearned for a career where you can make a difference by helping and serving others, then contact us today: (800) 588-0809