Our staff are the lifeblood of the Community Justice Center. They run our programs, complete vital administrative work, and make connections with program participants and community partners. Without their expertise and hard work, the CJC could not pursue its mission. Click on staff member names below to view their bios!
VORP INSIGHT AWARENESS INSTRUCTOR
PROGRAM ASSOCIATE
CJC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
It is inspiring every day to be a part CJC and ongoing healing work in my own faith and life in our community. My roots grew deep in the rural community of Reedley where I learned what restorative justice is through community initiatives with youth. This eventually led to engaging RJ in local, national, bi-national, and international peace building initiatives. My past role as director for the Fresno Pacific University’s Center for Peacemaking ended in 2020 when the rich history of restorative justice education and community-based programs (VORP and COSA) transitioned into the Community Justice Center. It gives me great joy to be a part of restorative justice (RJ) initiatives in schools, communities, and institutional systems.
VORP PROGRAM DIRECTOR
My name is Nzashi Seya Lumeya, but I go by Seya. I am originally from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, and I moved to Fresno, CA in 2006 to pursue higher Education. I joined CJC/ VORP in 2011 as sustaining friend coordinator and I have since worked in a variety of capacities including mediator, follow up manager, case manager and now Program Director. What brought me to CJC/VORP is the commitment to the transformative power of restorative justice and the foundational values of the organization.”
CJN DIRECTOR (COMMUNITY JUSTICE NETWORK)
Hello, I am Marcel Woodruff I am a native of Fresno California and graduate of Bullard High School. I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Xavier University of Louisiana and my Master of Divinity from Fresno Pacific University. I have been a mentor, adviser, and life coach for Fresno youth primarily from the Southwest and Southeast areas of Fresno for 17 years and have worked with over 3000 youth in Fresno, Ca. I am the current Community Justice Network (CJN) Director and program strategist for Advance Peace Fresno. My primary focus is to work in organizing community generated antiviolence strategies that center healing and decolonization.
COSA FRESNO PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Hello! My name is Jaime Leyva. I was born in Los Angeles California, and reside in the Central Valley. I am the COSA Program Director, a Substance Use Disorder Counselor and Mediator, and a Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD) Facilitator. Before coming to CJC I was a practitioner of non-violence programs, a mentor for at-risk youth programs, and a facilitator of various self-help groups such as cognitive behavioral therapy/intervention, criminal thinking, anger management, denial management, victims of impact, alternative to violence project, and substance abuse. Restorative Justice transformed my life as I witnessed reparations of harm caused through relationships and healing. I am system-impacted and restorative justice has guided my journey of living amends. Through volunteer work, I came across the former COSA Fresno Director Kimberly Gragston who introduced me to CJC. I joined the team and have been committed to creating a safe space for those that seek healing. Restorative Justice is more than a practice, it is a lifestyle.
COSA SAN DIEGO PROGRAM DIRECTOR
I have had a rich and varied career across many fields that focused on management and people/program development. After 30 years in business, I entered the social service sector first through volunteerism, and later developed and managed programs in addictions/recovery, mental health and corrections.
As an experienced grant writer, I helped many agencies in the private and government sector find success receiving grant awards. I earned college degrees in Journalism, Communications, Addiction Counseling and Ministry, and as an ordained Interfaith Minister, I completed my doctoral work by translating the principles of A.A. in eight faith traditions being utilized in over 75 countries (http://www.12wisdomsteps.com).
I opened Stepping Stones in 2007, a supportive housing program that promotes early reunification of mothers with their children in foster care.
Since moving to San Diego, I co-authored a Restorative Justice-Reentry Prep program for the County Jails and have been engaged in reentry work as the Southern California Program Replication Coordinator for Insight Prison Project providing training and establishing the Victim Offender Education Program (VOEG) in three prisons. Through the Community Justice Center in Fresno, I recently started COSA (Circles of Support and Accountability) in conjunction with the San Diego Public Defenders. I have 25 accumulated years of experience in the field of addiction recovery, 12 step research, prison ministry and restorative justice programming.
CJC ADMINISTRATOR
Hello, I’m Jess! I was born in Fresno and raised in Mendota, California. I am a proud Latina Mexico-Americana. Growing up, both my parents worked in the fields. They cultivated crops in the San Joaquin Valley and instilled in me hard work, dedication, and love for my community. Today I dedicate my life to cultivating healing and transformation in our beloved community through Restorative Justice. What brings me to CJC is fate and my passion to be of service. I believe together we can make a difference. Si se puede!
VORP CASE MANAGER/MEDIATOR
“Hello, I’m Elfega Duarte. Born and raised in the beautiful Central Valley (Visalia to be exact). I come from a family of immigrants, who like most of our community were seeking opportunity, a future and found their “home” in or around the Central Valley. Growing up I witnessed and experienced the “worst of the justice system”. These experiences shaped my belief of justice. My view of justice was punitive, and I was the person who was first to say, “lock em’ up”. In my journey to find my “calling” and an education I was introduced to “Restorative Justice”. With this new lens I gained knowledge, unforgettable experiences, met amazing people, found what I was searching for and found myself at the Community Justice Center, because I believe relationships are where we get to influence, impact, and change people’s lives.
COSA PRE-RELEASE CASE MANAGER
My name is Mike. I’m here in Fresno because of COSA. I came here to start a new life, and COSA was the beginning of that life. Through COSA I met people who helped me branch out and discover new people and places. With encouragement from COSA, I went back to school and graduated from Fresno City College with an AS in Paralegal Studies. Graduating opened up my evenings and I began playing in the Fresno Senior Softball League, which eventually led me to playing for travel teams and playing in tournaments around California and other states. I have continued to volunteer in Circles, giving back what I got, and helping people navigate the constantly changing world beyond incarceration. Actually, working at COSA is the icing on the cake. Also, in my time at COSA and FCC I gained friends and family which has greatly enriched my life. Coming to Fresno/COSA has been the best decision I’ve ever made.
REENTRY COORDINATOR
Hello, I am Rachelle. I am originally from a small town in Southern California and made my way to Fresno to pursue higher education. I obtained my bachelor’s in psychology at Fresno Pacific University. There is where I was first introduced to Restorative Justice. Since my initial introduction to restorative justice, I have worked as a certified mediator, mental health specialist and case manager, and now reentry coordinator for COSA. I also have been trained in circle processing and victim offender dialogue. Being witness to how systems can impact an individual and a community is why I continue to commit myself to empowering others and creating space for healing in effort to bring restoration.
COSA SAN DIEGO CASE MANAGER
“Community service has been a part of my life experience as long as I can remember.” Felicia House.
One of my first memories was of one of my many cousins coming through in his fishing truck after the catch of the night and pre-dawn hours. He would dress them for his customers who could afford to pay for the river perch, blue fin trout, and catfish catch of the day. For those who couldn’t afford it he would just give it to them. I wanted to know why he would give away his hard-won catch of the day, and he told me, “it wasn’t hard because when you are doing what you love it’s not work, it’s complete joy, and for every fish I give away my Lord blesses me or someone close to me. What’s not love about that?”
For the past two years I have been a Community Health Worker. In this capacity I support my community by any means possible when it comes to health. If a community member needs transportation, Multicultural Health Foundation will provide immediate help followed by long term solutions. If I am working with a participant and I am told there is some sort of mental distress, I will give referrals after I ask the appropriate questions to determine if they are a danger to themselves or anyone else. We reach community collectively through our many outreach events and our one-on-one interaction as our various programs’ participants. The team and I are determined to change the health disparities in black and brown communities. Some may say you will work yourself to exhaustion. I tell them, “I am doing what I love so I can’t rightly call that work, and when I get tired, I have a resting place hat rejuvenates me for another days journey.”
CJN LIAISON (COMMUNITY JUSTICE NETWORK)
Hi there, Hola, and Sat Sri Akal! I am Simrat (Sim-Ruth). I am delighted to share with you that I am honored to implement Restorative Justice practices. I represent Fresno County which includes Clovis, Fresno, and Kerman. GO LIONS! My wisdom comes from experiencing a broken home and all the effects from that struggle. I received my bachelor’s in criminology with a focus on victimology from Fresno State. I am eager to create safe spaces for all who inquire about healing. Most importantly, I am grateful to be a part of the journey that allows individuals to seek their power and discover who they ARE. This work is more than a practice. It truly is a lifestyle that I hold close to my heart. It has made me who I am today, and I am proud of my healing.
