Project Hope CA

A big thank you to Steve Kim, Madeline Rodriguez, LMFT, and Crystal Vasquez from Project Kinship for facilitating a training with our team today! They presented insights on the importance of restorative practices for reentry, effective communication techniques, and wellbeing practices for staff. It’s always a pleasure learning from our PK fam! #Reentry #Pomona #StaffDevelopment

Our Research and Program Strategist, Aida Escobar, M.S., M.A., presented at the Crossroads Student Safety Conference with her research team from the University of Southern California. They showcased early findings on a school-based tool designed to assess risk factors and evaluate changes over time. This important work enhances program effectiveness and outcomes for community-based organizations (CBO’s) in Los Angeles. Aida is essential to our mission at Project Hope, providing support in program development, data infrastructure, grant writing, and strategic planning. We are proud of her contributions to strengthening and supporting Los Angeles County CBO’s through her expertise in research and strategy. #Research #DataDriven #CVI

🌟Save the Date!🌟 Join us for the 2nd Annual UNITY Fest La Puente on August 10th at La Puente Park! In collaboration with R.E.A.C.H. SGV and the La Puente Community Foundation, this family-friendly resource event is packed with fun! Enjoy a car show, concert, art displays, community resources, haircuts, a kids' zone, groceries, and more—all FREE! Interested in having an informational booth, becoming a sponsor, or registering your car/bike/truck for the car show? Please contact us at (909) 846-8362 or info@projecthopeca.org. We can't wait to see you there! (Partner & Sponsorship flyer coming soon) #CommUNITY #SanGabrielValley #LaPuente #PeaceAndUnity #CommunityEngagement #Resources

Today, our Associate Executive Director, Armando Torreblanca, had the opportunity to share insights about the future of the CVI field alongside fellow leaders at the Giffords Conference.

We’re excited to announce that our Associate Executive Director, Armando Torreblanca, will be speaking on the ‘Rising Voices: Shaping the Future of CVI Strategies’ panel at the upcoming 2024 Giffords CVI Conference. About the Conference: The Community Violence Intervention Conference is the largest convening exclusively dedicated to CVI in the country, attracting more than 800 experts—both national and international—to discuss the impact of this lifesaving work. The goal of the conference is to bring together leading experts, advocates, and practitioners to share insights, struggles, and opportunities in a communal space devoted to advancing the field of community violence intervention.

🌟 Welcome to the Team, Brookelynn Maddox! 🌟 We are thrilled to announce that Brookelynn Maddox has joined us as our new Violence Prevention Coalition Coordinator! 🎉 In this role, they will be spearheading the day-to-day coordination and community relations for the Pomona and Puente Valley Community Action for Peace (CAP) coalitions. Bringing a wealth of experience with coalition-building, policy development, and program development/evaluation, Brookelynn holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan and is currently a first-generation Chicanx doctoral student at the University of Redlands studying the roots of systematic harm, coloniality, and the impacts of institutional trauma. Swipe below to learn more about Brookelynn! #NewTeamMember #ViolencePrevention #PomonaCAP #PuenteValleyCAP

Join us next Tuesday for a special Pomona CAP training on ‘Working with Gang-Involved Individuals from a Restorative Framework,’ featuring guest speaker Steve Kim, LCSW. Together we’ll explore gang prevention/intervention strategies rooted in empathy, restorative practices, and strength-based approaches as we navigate this critical aspect of community violence intervention work. #PomonaCAP #Coalition #ViolencePrevention #CVI

Thank you to Dr. Joél Arvizo-Zavala for an empowering staff training on ‘Community Leadership for Anti-Racism and Social Justice’. We are grateful for the insights on cultivating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) practices in our workplace and community. “Anti-racism and social justice is rooted in love for people who haven’t historically received that love.” ~Dr. Joél Arvizo-Zavala #DEIB #Compassion #Reentry #Healing

Thank you, Impact Justice, for the incredible partnership! Through this collaboration, California Justice Leaders with lived experiences are placed at our site to provide coaching and mentorship to our reentry program participants. This support empowers participants to overcome barriers, achieve personal growth, and pursue their career goals.

#HopedUpFridays: Ended out the week with an inspiring talk by Actor Fabian Alomar, known for his roles in This Fool, Mayans M.C., Cholos Try, and more! From navigating incarceration, violence, and substance misuse to pursuing a career in acting, Fabian’s story highlights the importance of community-building, supportive services, and access to career pathways for individuals navigating the reentry process. 🙌 #ReentryWorks #Pomona #Belonging #KeepingHopeAlive