FOUNDER/ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As the son of migrant farm workers, my early years were shaped by struggles with trauma and anger. Seeking a sense of belonging, I turned to gang life, only to encounter deeper pain and hardship. Through education and healing, I found my path to God, whose embrace transformed my life. This transformation gave me the strength and purpose to build meaningful relationships within my community, empowering me to help our most at-risk youth. My mission is to guide them toward healing and a sense of belonging—within their families and communities, not in gangs. I am here to meet our youth with love, hope, and the promise of a brighter future.

MENTOR

After spending much of my life caught in gang affiliations and cycles of incarceration, I was blessed to find a mentor who believed in me and walked alongside me on my journey to change. Today, I hold an associate degree in Human Services and serve as the Lead Reentry Navigator for Underground Ministries. In this role, I support individuals seeking a way out of gangs and the prison system. As a Credible Messenger Mentor, I am committed to equipping our youth with the tools and guidance they need to build a positive future and engage meaningfully with their communities.

MENTOR

As a formerly incarcerated/gang affiliated, starting when I was a teenager. More than half of my life. One day, I decided this was not the life I wanted for me or my child, so I started the healing process. I re-entered Underground Ministries and graduated from their mentorship program. Today, I have a lot of supportive people in my life. I work as a Reentry Navigator with Underground Ministries and Skagit Valley College. I am working on an Associate in Business Management through Skagit Valley College.

Working with the youth of Our Journey enables me to give back to my community. I want to work with the youth before they get involved in gang activities and give them opportunities I didn’t have.

MENTOR

Growing up I fell into the struggle of gangs. With that, came addiction. I was in and out of the jail system, starting when I was a teenager. Now, I work as a reentry navigator for Underground Ministries. I volunteer at Our Journey to help others get back into the community and to be a part of something bigger than myself. I made a choice to get clean and find a better way of life, to be the best version of myself. I am still learning how to be a father. Helping the youth of Our Journey helps me to continue learning and growing for the better.

Admin Assistant

Program Coordinator

Parent Engagement