During the time of her career as a probation officer, Debra Lewis decided that her calling in life would not be defined by a punitive system. A system that forced her against her beliefs, values, and dreams. Being heartbroken yet determined by the injustices she witnessed; Debra founded Champion Consulting. A legal service that creates community-based solutions and alternatives to incarceration for young people through advocacy, expert witness testimony, program management, assessments, and court-ready reports. As a youth/criminal justice advocate, Debra seeks to facilitate fair court outcomes for individuals who have been historically mistreated by the system. 

Follow Debra on Instagram @champion4justice

Visit her website at www.dmendozaconsulting.com 

After 30 years behind bars, John Windham was set free. However, he did not jump for joy at his newfound freedom because he would argue that he was always free. Although his body was imprisoned, he was mentally, emotionally, and spiritually free all along. Unfortunately, it took a prison sentence for him to realize this. Those experiences not only gave him insight but lived testimony, from which he shares to heal, inspire and create a positive change. Seeing the need in his community to spark a conversation about healing, activism, shared trauma, and raw emotion, he started a non-profit called “We All We Got,” whose mission is to promote community transformation. See more here: www.weallwegotfoundation.org

Get more of Lyflines on Instagram @lyflines_podcast

Miguel recently graduated from the program known as "STAY FLY": a one of its kind program run by Fresh Lifelines for Youth that operates as an alternative to incarceration. Fresh Lifelines for Youth works to interrupt the pipeline to prison and support youth on their path to healthy, free, and productive lives. Miguel is now attending Chabot college and wants to pursue a career in the music industry.

Want more of Lyflines? Visit the Instagram page: lyflines_podcast 

Kesse Taylor-Jenkins is a Violence Interrupter at Youth ALIVE!: a non-profit that works to break the cycle of violence through prevention, intervention, and healing. Violence Interrupters take to the most dangerous streets at the most dangerous times of night to engage young people, to diffuse tensions, to mediate conflicts and encourage alternatives to violence. Kesse also facilitates healing circles for women at Bonafide Sisterhood in Antioch, CA. 

See more of Lyflines on Instagram at: lyflines_podcast 
Check out the website at: www.lyflines.buzzsprout.com

Angelina M. Gutierrez is a bilingual, bicultural Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) in Oakland, CA. Angelina holds a B.A. in psychology and an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Sonoma State University where she worked under Dr. Elisa Velásquez-Andrade conducting empirical research and diversity trainings. Presently, she is accruing clinical hours towards a Professional Clinical Counselor Licensure (LPCC) by providing bilingual, trauma-informed counseling services to youth and adults who are affected by community violence and the justice system in the state of California. Additionally, Angelina provides multicultural trainings to students, professionals, and educators in various fields. Angelina currently provides mental health counseling services at Youth ALIVE!: an organization that works to break the cycle of violence through prevention, intervention, and healing.

See more of Lyflines on Instagram at: lyflines_podcast

Richard Ross is an artist/activist/photographer, distinguished research professor of art based in Santa Barbara, California. As the creator of Juvenile-in-Justice, his work turns a lens on the placement and treatment of American juveniles housed by law in facilities that treat, confine, punish, assist and, occasionally, harm them. Ross has been the recipient of grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, MacArthur and the Center for Cultural Innovation. Ross was awarded both Fulbright and Guggenheim Fellowships. Three books and traveling exhibitions of the work continue to see great success while Ross collaborates with juvenile justice stakeholders, using the images as a catalyst for change.

Check out his websites: Juvenile-In-Justice.com and richardross.net

* This episode description is brought to you from Richard Ross’s websites. 

Elbert Wiltz is a junior broker in the finance industry who wishes to create a trauma-focused residential program for at-risk youth. In this episode, he shares his knowledge as a businessman and gives his take on facilitating successful reentry with entrepreneurship. Follow him on Instagram @itsebuttas

Jason Shaw is a supervisor at B.O.S.S. (Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency): A community based organization that tackles the root causes of poverty, homelessness, incarceration, and violence. His philosophy on life is that of humanization, equality, and prosperity. Follow his work on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-shaw-168700b3 and on IG: @jshaw2011

Nikayla Johnson, is a Law student at the University of California Hastings College of the Law. After witnessing her father's arrest and imprisonment, Nikayla became inspired to pursue Law to fight the injustices that plague the types of communities she grew up in. Follow her work on LinkedIn and her featurette on: "The Hood Produces Quality", on YouTube.

Laura, is a triathlete by day and scholar by night. She is currently studying economics at the University of California, Berkeley and plans to attend graduate school for economic research. Follow her journey on LinkedIn @Laura Rambo and on Instagram @love.ramboo.