Lyflines

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 @champion4justiceVisit her website at www.dmendozaconsulting.com Support the show (https://cash.app/$LYFLINES)

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.orgGet more of Lyflines on Instagram @lyflines_podcastSupport the show (https://cash.app/$LYFLINES)

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 Support the show (https://cash.app/$LYFLINES)

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.comSupport the show (https://cash.app/$LYFLINES)

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_podcastSupport the show (https://cash.app/$LYFLINES)

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. Support the show (https://cash.app/$LYFLINES)

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 @itsebuttasSupport the show (https://cash.app/$LYFLINES)

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: @jshaw2011Support the show (https://cash.app/$LYFLINES)

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.Support the show (https://cash.app/$LYFLINES)

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.Support the show (https://cash.app/$LYFLINES)

José is a member of "STAY FLY": a one of its kind program ran by Fresh Lifelines for Youth that operates as an alternative to incarceration. Fresh Lifelines for Youth interrupts the pipeline to prison and supports youth on their path to healthy, free, and sustainable lives. José, is also an aspiring rapper who raps about the meaningful struggles and experiences of life. He goes by the name, "Black José". You can find him on Instagram @kuya_black. Support the show (https://cash.app/$LYFLINES)

Glen Upshaw is the the Founder and Executive Director of Men of Influence: a non-profit in Oakland, CA that specializes in mentoring youth and reducing violence by saving one youth at a time. In 2016, Glen was the recipient of the Oakland Citizen Humanitarian Award. Check out his website at www.menofinfluences.org. Support the show (https://cash.app/$LYFLINES)

Jonathan Bradley is a Restorative Justice Practitioner and a founding partner at Circles for Social Change: an organization that uses the philosophy and circle-process of Restorative Justice to create deep cultural change in organizations and schools, and within communities seeking to address racial harm and strengthen multiracial activism.  Check him out on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-bradley-894b0516Support the show (https://cash.app/$LYFLINES)

Hayden Renato is a fellow of the Youth Justice Board on Oakland's Reimaging Public Safety Task Force. He is formerly incarcerated and he is also a former foster youth. Hayden has been a community organizer since age 18, focused on finding community-based alternatives to the institutionalization of youth. He is currently in school for psychology and paralegal studies and aspires to become a lawyer to address human rights concerns involving youth and people who are oppressed.Support the show (https://cash.app/$LYFLINES)

Ethan is a member of "STAY FLY": a one of its kind program ran 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. Support the show (https://cash.app/$LYFLINES)

Airto Morales is a researcher at the W. Haywood Burns Institute, where he uses a data driven approach to address racial and ethnic disparities. His mission, along with the Burns Institute's, is to dismantle structural racism and build community centered structural well-being. Support the show (https://cash.app/$LYFLINES)

DeMorian Burnside is an alumni of Success Centers: a non-profit that empowers marginalized community members through education, employment and art, so they may develop a positive self-image as well as a sense of hope and purpose for their future. DeMorian currently works in construction, but plans to acquire his licensing to open his own electrician business.Support the show (https://cash.app/$LYFLINES)

Xion Abiodun is a young entrepreneur who has navigated her way through society by becoming a business owner in the world of cosmetics and accessories.   Support the show (https://cash.app/$LYFLINES)

Lupe Tejada Diaz is an indigenous death doula who is dedicated to providing quality end of life care and planning for those looking to do death differently. Support the show (https://cash.app/$LYFLINES)

Diego Montemayor is a first generation Latino who is the CEO of the app. Chamba: a Latino mobile marketplace that matches freelance labor with local demand. Support the show (https://cash.app/$LYFLINES)