Chloe Turner

Chloe Turner was raised in Southern California. She left high school early …

Chloe Turner was raised in Southern California. She left high school early and spent most of her 20's addicted and cycling in and out of county jails and prison. After her last incarceration in 2008, she entered a program for women parolees and came face-to-face with the issues that landed her in prison. In 2010, Chloe completed a Community Health Worker Certificate specializing in Post-Prison Release and graduated from Stanford University's Project ReMade in 2012. In May 2013, she graduated from the University of San Francisco with a BS in Organizational Behavior and Leadership. She currently works as a Rehabilitation Services Coordinator for the San Francisco Sheriff's Department.

Jason Bell

In May 2005, Jason earned a BA degree in Sociology with an emphasis in …

In May 2005, Jason earned a BA degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Crime, Law and Punishment. Jason then went on to further his education receiving a Master's Degree in Counseling from San Francisco State University (SFSU) in 2011. Jason has a rich history working with the adult prison and jail populations. He has served as the Director of Project Rebound at SF State University since 2005. His work at Project Rebound assists formerly incarcerated individuals to earn college degrees. He facilitates educational empowerment workshops on campus, as well as in local county jails and state prisons. Recently he transitioned into a Regional Directorship for Project Rebound Expanded, leading the expansion of the highly respected SF State program to 9 additional California State University campuses. In addition, Jason serves as adjunct professor in Sociology, Criminal Justice Studies, and the Counseling Department at SF State, continuing his quest for social justice, advocacy, and support for all students.

Jason Toro

Jason Toro is the Principal Consultant of Justice Reenvisioned, where he …

Jason Toro is the Principal Consultant of Justice Reenvisioned, where he supports organizations to incorporate restorative practices into their internal policies. He has over twenty years of senior management and program development experience in community health, workforce development and criminal justice reform. During this time he has been committed to equity and restorative justice as a means of addressing the barriers faced by underserved communities, ensuring they have the necessary tools to move beyond trauma and empower themselves to success. Jason’s passion for criminal justice reform stems from over ten years of system involvement, from foster care to state prison. Mr. Toro earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of San Francisco in 2009, where he was awarded the Ignation Service Award. In 2016, he was awarded the Local Hero Award by Assembly member Rob Bonta. Jason enjoys spending time with his wife and children.

Joe Bluford

After years of criminal justice system involvement, in 2009 Joe Bluford …

After years of criminal justice system involvement, in 2009 Joe Bluford turned his life around. Joe volunteered with the San Francisco Sheriff's Department Re-Entry Program, and was later hired by the San Francisco Pretrial Diversion, as a case manager and facilitator. In 2014, Joe began working at the Community Assessment and Services Center (CASC) as a Barrier Removal/Discharge Navigator. Later, Joe joined Five Keys, then M3 as a Case Manager. Joe recently took on a new position with the City & County of San Francisco in the Park and Recreation Department. Joe's words of wisdom, “Believe in yourself, even when no one else may believe in you, second chances do come true. A long life may not be good enough but a good life is enough life to make your dreams come true.”

Jose Bernal

A native of San Francisco's Tenderloin from a family of first generation …

A native of San Francisco's Tenderloin from a family of first generation immigrants, Jose Bernal served a 30-month sentence and was released on parole in 2013. Post release, Jose faced barriers to employment and housing, recalling his first job as bussing tables and washing dishes. Determined to overcome obstacles and help his community, Jose began working as a peer advocate with Hospitality House in the Tenderloin and after just a few years was named the Director of the nonprofit's Men's Shelter Program. In 2016, the Board of Supervisors appointed Jose to the Reentry Council. During his tenure, Jose advocated for local restorative justice policies and continues these efforts as the chair of the Council's Legislation, Policy & Operational Practices Subcommittee. Through grassroots community work, Jose has spearheaded initiatives to de-privatize reentry services, end gang injunctions, and hold law enforcement accountable. Currently, Jose is a Senior Organizer & Advocate for the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, working to organize people to shift resources away from prisons and punishment, and towards opportunities that make communities safe, healthy, and strong. Jose is a 2016 graduate of Stanford University's Project ReMade program.

Joseph Calderon

Joe Calderon, a native San Franciscan, was sentenced to life in prison at …

Joe Calderon, a native San Franciscan, was sentenced to life in prison at the age of 23 and was incarcerated for 17 years. While incarcerated, he began to explore ways to give back to society. Since his release, Joe served on the San Francisco Reentry Council, the Equity Advisory Committee with the San Francisco Human Rights Commission and is presently serving the City of San Francisco on the Policy Committee for SF LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion). He completed San Francisco City College's Post-Prison Health Worker Certificate program, and works as a Senior Community Health Worker/Lead Trainer with Transitions Clinic Network. He has a passion for working with diverse and disenfranchised populations, leveraging his personal experience with incarceration to advocate the ideals of social justice and community investment. Joe is a New Leaders Council Fellow (2014) and a JustLeadership Fellow (2018) and is currently working toward a degree in Public Health. Joe's words of wisdom from James Baldwin...“Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until faced.”

Kenyatta Leal

Chrisfino Kenyatta Leal is a founding member and returned citizen of The …

Chrisfino Kenyatta Leal is a founding member and returned citizen of The Last Mile program at San Quentin. Upon his release in 2013, Kenyatta began a paid internship at RocketSpace and was subsequently promoted into Management and Sales positions with the San Francisco based technology campus. In 2018 Kenyatta joined The Last Mile as a Business Development Specialist and Reentry Manager for Next Chapter, an apprenticeship program at Slack that’s helping formerly incarcerated individuals find work and succeed in tech. Kenyatta is also a featured speaker at numerous conferences and corporate events.

Kimberli Courtney

Kimberli Courtney works as the Reentry Coordinator for the San Francisco …

Kimberli Courtney works as the Reentry Coordinator for the San Francisco Sheriff's Department Five Keys Charter School. After spending 4 years homeless on the streets of San Francisco and ending up in numerous jails and prison, she graduated from Walden House in 2006. While there, she utilized every reentry resource available to her landing a position as an intern at the Public Defender's Office where she started to help others off the streets, out of jail and into treatment. As a voice for the formerly incarcerated, Kim was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to serve on Reentry Council of the City & County of San Francisco from 2010 to 2017.

Lisa Wood-Oliver

Lisa Wood-Oliver is a Recovery Specialist with a decade of successful …

Lisa Wood-Oliver is a Recovery Specialist with a decade of successful experience in encouraging and assisting people transitioning from incarceration to the streets. She is an advocate and a strong believer in the power that people can change. She hopes her story can save at least one life and strives to be a part of the solution, not the problem. At 13 years old, Lisa started snorting heroin and by 19 was sent to prison for 4 years. Arriving with no idea she was pregnant, she gave birth to her daughter in prison. Prison turned into a vicious cycle of going in-and-out for close to the next 20 years. Her son would follow her in this path. The last serious case she caught, Lisa was offered to attend Delancey Street, figuring anything was better than going back to prison for 18 years, the experience would change her life forever and she has been free from drugs for 15 years. Lisa has worked for the last 10 years with the Sheriff Department's No Violence Alliance (NoVA) program and is the Program Director for Westside's Methadone clinic.

Lucero Herrero

Lucero was born in El Salvador and with her mother, escaped gang violence …

Lucero was born in El Salvador and with her mother, escaped gang violence and civil war. Charged as an adult at 17 years of age, she had to navigate the challenges of childhood, the streets of the Mission and the criminal justice system. Out of her struggle, Lucero grew into her role as an organizer, realizing that her lived experience made her best positioned to change the systems affecting her community. Lucero is a Lead Researcher with the Young Woman's Freedom Center and is a Mayoral Appointee to the Reentry Council championing initiatives such as the Bill of Rights for system-involved women and girls. As an artist, mother and daughter, her hope is that all young mothers imagine a bright future for the world. Lucero's words of wisdom by Oscar Romero...“There are many things that can only be seen through eyes that have cried.”

Marilyn Jones

After 20 years in the criminal justice system, Marilyn returned to school …

After 20 years in the criminal justice system, Marilyn returned to school and completed a Master's Degree in Education from San Francisco State University. Additionally, Marilyn has coauthored reentry research articles and wrote an autobiography titled, “From Crack to College and Vice Versa”. Currently, Marilyn is pursuing her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and is scheduled to graduate in the Spring of 2019. She has also founded a nonprofit called, “Because Black is Still Beautiful”, that is dedicated to promoting excellence in the lives of criminal justice impacted Black women.

Maura Quinn

Maura was dysfunctional, an addict with no goals. With her sibling's death …

Maura was dysfunctional, an addict with no goals. With her sibling's death at the age of 12, Maura turned to drugs as an escape, a catalyst for numerous runaways and dropping out of school. She had children and became a welfare recipient, all the while selling drugs to supply her habit. After the death of a son, Maura turned to heroin for relief and fell hard and fast. Her children were removed from her care and Maura served time in and out of jail over the course of 10 years. Her last incarceration led her to Delancey Street Foundation where she learned how to live and change her thinking. While there, Maura obtained work skills and attended Parenting Classes. She mended her relationship with her children who moved in with her following her graduation from Delancey Street. Maura had good jobs with great establishments but felt the need to do more and became a Case Manager at Cameo House where she serves women currently in the situation she was once in, demonstrating that change is possible.

Norma Ruiz

Norma Ruiz is first generation Latina, born and raised in the Mission …

Norma Ruiz is first generation Latina, born and raised in the Mission District of San Francisco. At 13 she found herself in a cycle of addiction and incarceration for more than 15 years. While in San Francisco County jail, she attended 5 Keys Charter School and went on to graduate at San Francisco State University with a B.S. Degree in Health Education. Through education and community organizing, Norma has found healing in being of service to others. In 2018, she was appointed to the SF Reentry Council by the Mayor. She now works as a Case Manager with system-impacted girls and women and uses her lived experience to inform her work. Norma believes in the power of one’s story and often shares her life experiences as a justice-involved woman and how she beat the odds. She celebrates 5 years of recovery in 2019!

Rebecca Jackson

First arrested at 17, Rebecca Jackson began using drugs to cope with low …

First arrested at 17, Rebecca Jackson began using drugs to cope with low self-esteem. She spent over 15 years in and out of county jails until finally landing in state prison in 2004. Out on parole less than 6 months, Rebecca caught another charge and faced up to 15 years and was offered the opportunity to go to Delancey Street Foundation in lieu of prison time. Under 12 years of the tutelage of strong women mentors, Rebecca learned how to become a person who felt deserving of a good life, by learning how to live by helping others. She gained many skills, which would later make her marketable in the workforce; however, the skill of helping others trying to change their lives was the work that really mattered to her, as it made her life rich. Rebecca is currently the Director of CJCJ's Cameo House program for homeless, formerly incarcerated women with children in San Francisco who are looking for the opportunity to change their lives just as she did. Rebecca is also starting her own decorating and event management business.

Reggie Daniels

"Dr. Reginold Daniels is a San Francisco native, local scholar and …

"Dr. Reginold Daniels is a San Francisco native, local scholar and activist. He teaches at the University of San Francisco and is organizing to build a Re-entry Resource Center for formerly incarcerated individuals. Reggie works in marginalized communities to eradicate the harms caused by systemic racism and mass incarceration, by using art and scholarship to center the voice and creating spaces to foster organic scholars who have in many cases been silenced. Reggie performed/co-created with artists and formerly incarcerated men, Well Contested Sites, an award-winning dance/theater film. His passion is working with at-risk youth, and has worked for over a decade in San Francisco county jail. Reggie has received the KQED ""Black Hero’s Award” and the Bayview Hunters Point Foundation ""Change Agent Award"" for his personal and professional achievements. His research focuses on, in-custody violence prevention program efficacy and culturally responsive pedagogy and policies with the goal of interrupting oppressive systems and to bring social justice to his community. Reggie is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of San Francisco. Reggie completed his undergraduate degree at the University of San Francisco in 2012 and his Master's at USF School of Management in business in 2014. He will complete his Doctorate of Education in 2019."

Rico Hamilton

Rico Hamilton is a native of San Francisco and was raised in the Western …

Rico Hamilton is a native of San Francisco and was raised in the Western Addition neighborhood. He entered the criminal justice system as a juvenile and was later sentenced to prison. After being released from San Quentin in 2004, Rico reentered the world with a new vision. He began to educate himself about his community and how he could be a part of the effort to end the violence. He started working with S.F. Magic Zone as a teen program coordinator and later, worked to create a transitional age youth workforce development program. Today, Rico works as a Crisis Responder with the San Francisco Street Violence Intervention Program. He is the co-founder of “Raw Talk for Life”, an in-custody program in the San Francisco County Jails. Since being appointed to the San Francisco Reentry Council, Mr. Hamilton has decided to further his education by attending Project Rebound at San Francisco State University, to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Political Science with the vision of becoming further involved in local politics.

Sabrina Reid

Sabrina Reid works for Community Works West as an intensive case manager …

Sabrina Reid works for Community Works West as an intensive case manager for the San Francisco Sheriff's No Violence Alliance program (NoVA). Having spent most of her adult life in and out of prison, she spent 5 years in the Delancey Street Foundation and applies her personal experience to help people navigate through the opportunities and resources for those getting out. Most of her clients have had violence in their charges and need to address those issues as well. He also is a member of the San Francisco District Attorney's Advisory Board of Formally Incarcerated Individuals and a member of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC).

Sheenia Branner

Sheenia is a San Francisco native from Bayview Hunter’s Point who like many …

Sheenia is a San Francisco native from Bayview Hunter’s Point who like many young adults was caught up in the street life and after dealing with several traumatic events she suffered the biggest blow after losing one of her younger brothers due to gun violence in her neighborhood. After going to jail constantly for various charges, almost losing everything and successfully living to see 30 years old, she had to learn to survive the trauma, make something more of the life she once knew and give back to the community. She is currently completing her BA in Administration of Justice to go onto Law School and become an attorney, and is the Housing Program Manager for Recovery Survival Network, serves as a Mayoral appointee by the Mayor to serve on the Reentry Council of SF as the TAY Representative and is the Executive Director and Founder of Gloria’s Gift –The Gloria Mae Bryant Foundation, a newly formed nonprofit to assist inner city, at-risk and transitional age youth of the SF Bay Area.

Steve Adami

Steve Adami is the Reentry Services Manager for the San Francisco Adult …

Steve Adami is the Reentry Services Manager for the San Francisco Adult Probation Department. He is a graduate of the Delancey Street Foundation in San Francisco and spent numerous years involved in the criminal justice system. Since being released from prison in 2010, he earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration (Public Policy/Criminal Justice) from San Francisco State University; was inducted into Pi Alpha Alpha, a National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration; and received San Francisco State University's Barbara Jordan Award for Academic Excellence. Steve is also a member of the Direct Services Subcommittee for the Reentry Council of San Francisco.

Teddy Tolliver

An avid drug user since the age of 15, Teddy grew up in The Fillmore, …

An avid drug user since the age of 15, Teddy grew up in The Fillmore, selling drugs and committing other crimes as a way to support his family. Feeling part of a community, which accepted this way of life as normal, he never felt fulfilled and wanted to change his life. Returning from jail on December 22, 2014, he decided to do something and entered treatment at HealthRIGHT360 and learned to live life without getting high. Teddy's journey has had many difficulties, but he realizes his life has just begun. Since changing his life, Teddy has graduated from City College with two Associate of Science degrees in Health Education and Liberal Arts and Social Behavior and earned two certifications in Drug and Alcohol Counseling and Community Mental Health Work and is pursuing his Bachelor's Degree of Science at San Francisco State University. He volunteers at the Syringe Access Services, M3, and Positive Directions Equals Change and currently works for Golden Gate for Seniors and Health Right 360 as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor and was recently appointed to the San Francisco Reentry Council.

Traci Watson

Traci Watson strives to give back, as a San Francisco native she works in …

Traci Watson strives to give back, as a San Francisco native she works in the field of recovery and with homeless people, with compassion because those were the struggles she once had battled. Witnessing the challenges of her community, particularly by women fighting to get their lives back on track and in order, she was motivated to break barriers so that women could grow spiritually and emotionally. Traci is the founder of the nonprofit organization, Sister's Circle Women's Support Network, whose mission is to empower women with the skills they need to achieve a healthier life by addressing social and behavioral challenges unique to women.

Tulio Cardozo

After serving 7 years in state prison, Tulio has successfully transitioned …

After serving 7 years in state prison, Tulio has successfully transitioned into a technology career as a formerly incarcerated person. He is a credentialed employee working his dream job at the same prison where he was once housed. Tulio's preparation began in custody by participating in opportunities like Patten University and other programs offered at San Quentin State Prison. Tulio leads a team of developers on the inside and outside of San Quentin through his work with The Last Mile (TLM) and TLM Works, the first ever web development shop staffed by currently and formerly incarcerated web developers. A founding graduate of TLM and the current Technical Manager at TLM Works, Tulio works with prisoners to build relevant skills in technology and other areas. Tulio has worked as a business analyst at the technology accelerator, KickLabs, mastered WordPress as an independent contractor, and was the development lead at tech startup Launch Podium. In 2014, Tulio taught Web Design and Coding through Five Keys Charter School, to residents of the San Francisco County Jail and the San Francisco Adult Probation Department.

Victoria Westbrook

After graduating from Georgia Tech in 1990, Victoria moved to the Bay Area …

After graduating from Georgia Tech in 1990, Victoria moved to the Bay Area to start her career. She began experimenting with various drugs. In 1994, Victoria’s twin died and was the catalyst for her daily methamphetamine use which would continue for the next twenty years. In 2014, Victoria was indicted on federal drug charges. Going to prison clean and sober, she was determined to be a better woman upon her release in 2016. As the Women’s Gender Responsive Coordinator for the Reentry Division of the San Francisco Adult Probation Department, Victoria is charged with developing, implementing, and advancing a clear and actionable women gender-responsive pathway for justice-involved cis and trans women and gender-nonconforming individuals. She is also at City College taking coursework to become a Recovery and Addiction Counselor. “I know that my past has shaped me, but it does not define me or my future. Today, I understand that the opposite of shame is not pride, it is acceptance. It is this understanding that allows me to live in my truth and be comfortable sharing my story. I also know that I am NOT my past mistakes; that I have value and worth intrinsically. I believe that my past experiences have brought me to where I am today and who I am today and they have also enabled me to give back to my community with love and compassion.”

Adrian Maldonado

Adrian Maldonado had a 17 year history of heroin addiction and …

Adrian Maldonado had a 17 year history of heroin addiction and incarceration. He is currently employed by San Mateo County Correctional Mental Health as the Program Director of “Choices” an in-custody program where he got clean and sober in 2000 while incarcerated. Adrian is a Delancey Street graduate, has been a long-time community and labor organizer and in 2016 completed a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco.

Angela Coleman

Angela Colman began getting high at the age of 14 and with three strikes, …

Angela Colman began getting high at the age of 14 and with three strikes, miraculously was sentenced to a year of jail time followed by a year at Walden House. She was tired of her former lifestyle and made the decision to start her life all over again realizing she didn't know how to live without drugs. Angela became engaged in rebuilding her life and came to peace with her past which enabled her to create a the life she had been searching for. Fourteen sober years later, thirteen of which have been with GLIDE, Angela is currently a Case Manager at the Glide Walk In Center and Board of Supervisors appointee to the Reentry Council. Reentry work is her passion, because it allows her to offer hope to others until they can find their own by letting them know if she could do it, they can too.

Cedric Akbar

Cedric has served the people of San Francisco for over 20 plus years. His …

Cedric has served the people of San Francisco for over 20 plus years. His passion is bringing healing to people who have been through traumatic /stressful experiences by helping them to find healthy perceptions of themselves & strengthen their relationships so they can know themselves as peaceful, complete, whole & safe. A member of Positive Directions Equals Change, Inc, Cedric truly lives up to their mission by inspiring personal & social responsibility to our community through advocacy, education & results-oriented services.

Ceyante Pennix

Ceyante Pennix began taking care of herself without the support of her …

Ceyante Pennix began taking care of herself without the support of her parents as a youth. Facing plenty of difficulties, she turned to street hustling for financial support. She is a formerly incarcerated individual who turned her life around in 2007. Through her struggles and experience, Ceyante has been able to help others change their lives. Ceyante's words of wisdom...“How you believe determines your success or failures in life”. Ceyante is the Director of the Senior Ex-Offender Program for Bayview Hunters Point Multipurpose Senior Services, Inc. For the past 10 years, Ceyante has dedicated herself to the advocacy of individuals seeking to overcome the issues related to incarceration, addiction, and homelessness. She possesses a Master's degree in Business Management (MBA) from North Central University and is currently working on becoming a certified addiction counselor and member of California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP). Additionally she is a certified domestic violence peer educator and motivational speaker. Ceyante has been recognized with awards from local and state officials for her life change and dedication committed to helping others.

Curtis Penn

Curtis Penn was sentenced to 25 years to life in 1999 under California's …

Curtis Penn was sentenced to 25 years to life in 1999 under California's Three Strikes Law. After serving 15 years 6 months he was released as a result of Proposition 36. While incarcerated, Curtis injected a sense of meaning and purpose into a less-than-ideal situation and focused his attention on higher education. Since his release Curtis has earned his BA Degree in Sociology and his Master's Degree in Public Administration with emphasis in Public Policy & Criminal Justice. He currently holds the position of Program Director of Justice Related Services with Felton Institute, Family Services Agency of San Francisco.

Dani Johnson

Dani Johnson entered the criminal justice system at the early age of 11 …

Dani Johnson entered the criminal justice system at the early age of 11 years old. She endured a life of trauma and abuse which led her down a road to a cycle of domestic and drug abuse. This led her further into a cycle of incarceration, homelessness, street life, and a broken family system. Dani has since overcome a life of addiction and life on the streets, she has sought and accomplished higher education. She is currently a student at California Institute of Integral Studies, in her second year of the Community Mental Health Master’s Program. Her interest lies in working with formally incarcerated people and their families, to help them heal and acquire the skills to overcome a life of poverty, criminality, and recidivism.

Deborah Turner

After a couple of prison terms and 6 years in jail and prison, Deborah …

After a couple of prison terms and 6 years in jail and prison, Deborah changed her life in 1999. With a heart of gold, Deb is the kind of woman driven to help everyone she sees in need. She brings 19 years of professional experience employed in substance abuse, domestic violence, and homeless services. She is a Certified Domestic Violence class instructor, Thinking for Change Cognitive Behavioral Facilitator and is a Certified Addiction Specialist. Deb creates novel solutions to the problems individuals face. She is a self-motivator and believes there are solutions to all issues. Her mission in life is to continue to reduce substance abuse, homelessness, violence, incarceration, and joblessness in our community. Deb continually distances herself from her past by being extremely reliable, honest, gainfully employed and highly responsible and using her experiences to help others in need. She is committed to her work and demonstrates integrity.

Eli Crawford

Eli is a native of San Francisco and was raised in the Western Addition …

Eli is a native of San Francisco and was raised in the Western Addition neighborhood. Eli entered the criminal justice system as a juvenile, then later on went to prison. He has spent over 40 years incarcerated. After he was released from federal prison, Eli reentered the world with a new vision. Upon his release, Eli began to educate himself about his community and later studied Administration of Justice at City College of San Francisco. He is currently the President of the New Community Leadership Foundation and founder of Raw Talk for Life. He teaches personal and professional development in the San Francisco County Jail and in his community.

Ernest Kirkwood

Ernest Kirkwood served 43 years in custody. While in prison, he founded the …

Ernest Kirkwood served 43 years in custody. While in prison, he founded the Balanced Reentry Activity Group at CTF-Soledad. Since his release in 2012, Ernest received an early discharge from high-risk parole, served two terms on the Reentry Council and chaired its Support and Opportunities subcommittee. As a graduate of the Rockwood Leadership Institute, Ernest continues to support the personal development of those incarcerated by facilitating Toastmaster’s groups in San Francisco County Jails. Ernest is also a published photographer. Ernest’s words of wisdom…“Reentry is not an event. It is an ongoing process... The one thing we have absolute control over is WHAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO once we are released. Knowing what YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DO once you are released is the most important piece of preparation work you can engage in”. Ernest earned his Associate’s Degree in prison and continued his education at City College, completing the Community Health Workers Certificate Program as a certified Peer Reentry Navigator and now works at Healthright 360.

George Turner

George Turner grew up in Oakland, California. A self-described former …

George Turner grew up in Oakland, California. A self-described former underground entrepreneur, George managed to escape the bleak outcome of his loved ones and moved on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, and a Master's Degree in Gerontology from San Francisco State University. George is the founder and Executive Director of Phatt Chance Community Services (PCCS), a non-profit organization providing vital transitional housing resources to individuals returning to the community after local, state, and federal incarceration. In addition to his PCCS directorship for the past thirteen years, George has twenty years of experience in intensive wrap-around case management, conflict resolution, violence prevention, cognitive-behavioral training, group facilitation, and substance use disorder counseling.