Is the Program Director at Project Rebound, California State University Fullerton. He is currently pursuing his Doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Hope International University, having already earned his master’s degree in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach. JC graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from California State University, Fullerton, and an Associate of Arts degree from Mount Tamalpais College, in San Quentin.
Having spent over two decades of his life incarcerated, JC brings his firsthand experience with the criminal justice system and the carceral education system to the higher education space. JC has dedicated much of his career to working within Restorative Justice frameworks, specializing in supporting incarcerated trauma survivors, system-impacted families, and changing the narratives about incarcerated individuals. He is a member of the UnCommon Law Clinical Support Team, where he provides trauma-informed trainings to staff and counseling support to incarcerated individuals. Additionally, JC serves as a facilitator with the Fundamentals of Fatherhood Program in Long Beach, where he leads weekly parenting classes for system-impacted fathers seeking to regain custody of their children.
JC has been recognized for his work and has been featured in numerous publications, articles, podcasts, and media platforms, including a TED Talk with John Legend, TEDx: San Quentin, Now This News and CORE IQ educational training videos. When people experience trauma or severe life stressors, it is not uncommon for their lives to unravel. JC’s greatest passion is to help people, make a difference in the world and help change lives for the better.
