Changemakers LA LISC LA

In this episode of Changemakers LA, LISC LA Program Officer Erica Webster delves into the topic of diversion programs. These programs aim to prevent or minimize an individual's involvement with law enforcement or the criminal justice system by providing services such as mental health and substance abuse treatment or housing support. This discussion explores these programs from the viewpoint of participants and social service providers. Additionally, our guests will share insights on the key factors that contribute to the success of diversion programs.



Joining LISC LA for this conversation is:


Tanu Ah You, Case Manager At Transformational Living Homes, Founder of ALOFA 


Pat Seller, Co-Founder of ALOFA





In this episode,
Tanu Ah You shares his inspiring journey to sobriety, reflecting the
challenges, victories, and the powerful impact of his experiences with
diversion programs and substance use treatment. Throughout his path, he found
unwavering support from his friend, Pat, who also joins us on the panel. Pat
describes her role as a friend and advocate for Tanu, highlighting how she
navigated the delicate balance of holding him accountable while remaining
realistic and providing unconditional support. Her perspective offers valuable
insights for those supporting loved ones on their sobriety journey.

 

Our panel consists
of two remarkable individuals:

 

Tanu Ah You serves
as a Case Manager at Transformational Living Homes, a reputable sober living
and recovery program based in Long Beach. Additionally, he is a Founding Board
member at Project ALOFA (Another Loving Opportunity For All), a dedicated
organization that advocates for Asian and Pacific Islanders experiencing
incarceration and reentry. Tanu's personal experience within the criminal legal
system further fuels his passion for helping others, as he currently
participates in a diversion program. He believes that his firsthand encounters
enable him to form deeper connections with the clients he serves.

 

Pat Sellers, a close
friend of Tanu and Co-founder of ALOFA, has been a community organizer for many
years. Over a decade ago, Pat crossed paths with Tanu, and their friendship
flourished. When Tanu approached Pat with the idea of launching Project LOAFA,
she eagerly embraced the opportunity to make a difference alongside him.

 

Together, Tanu and
Pat bring a wealth of experience and perspectives to our discussion, shedding
light on the triumphs and challenges of navigating sobriety, personal growth,
and the vital role of support systems in recovery.

 

If
you would like to learn more about how we support place-based initiatives for
housing, economic development, and alternatives to incarceration at LISC LA,
please visit us online at www.lisc.org/los-angeles and follow us on twitter
@LISC_LA.

 

You can find the rest of the series on iTunes, Spotify,
and Google Podcasts. Subscribe to hear more conversations about the people and
places that shape Los Angeles.

 

This podcast was produced in collaboration with Ronnell
Hampton, Founder of Growing Greatness Now. Growing Greatness Now is a consulting
firm committed to social and environmental justice.

This episode of Changemakers LA is hosted by Alexandra Dawson, Director of Lending + Investments at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation’s Los Angeles office. Alexandra talks to our guests about how they are addressing the equity gap through public policy efforts. Our guests leverage public policy to address many regional issues, including affordable and fair housing, homelessness, and criminal justice. 

Joining LISC LA for this conversation is:


Konstantin Hatcher, Senior Director of Community Impact at California YIMBY
Maria Casillas, Founder & Executive Leader of Pride In Truth
Alan Greenlee, Executive Director of the Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing (SCANPH)

Maria Casillas begins this episode by addressing the power in her experience as a formerly incarcerated mother. The challenges Maria faced were a big
inspiration driving her passion for helping others. She talks about some of the root causes of the criminal justice system and its disparate impact on some
communities. Community leaders like Maria were instrumental in achieving the Measure J funding outcomes.

Alan Greenlee discusses the power of coalition building in achieving the Measure ULA funding. He discussed the five components of coalitions and
described the importance of generating resources sufficient to produce significant amounts of affordable housing.

Konstantin Hatcher discusses why it's essential to get people housed and build an environment that creates financial opportunities for those on the front lines and the most affected by the housing crisis. Finally, Konstantin explains how AB 2873 starts providing incentives for affordable housing builders that can diversify the pipeline of the folks they contract with.

 

About our panel:

Konstantin Hatcher is the Senior Director of Community Impact at California YIMBY. California YIMBY’s mission is to make California an affordable place to live, work, and raise a family. Their goal is to put California on a path of broad-based economic prosperity, creating vibrant, livable, and inclusive communities for everyone.



Maria Casillas is the Founder & Executive Leader of Pride In Truth, guiding the organization's strategy to center those most impacted by unjust systems. With a background as a formerly incarcerated, first-generation immigrant and single mother, Maria brings a unique perspective to the role. She serves on the Board of the Youth Justice Coalition and advocates for the rights of youth, incarcerated individuals, and undocumented people. 



Alan Greenlee, is the Executive Director of the Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing (SCANPH), where he has served since 2012. With 25 years of experience, he has a strong commitment to helping low-income families, and he has designed and managed programs nationwide, impacting hundreds of thousands of families. His extensive experience allows him to bring innovation to the fight against poverty.

 

If you would like to learn more about how we support place-based initiatives for housing, economic development, and alternatives to incarceration at LISC LA, please visit us online at www.lisc.org/los-angeles and follow us on twitter @LISC_LA.

 

You can find the rest of the series on iTunes, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Subscribe to hear more conversations about the people and places that shape Los Angeles.

 

This podcast was produced in collaboration with Ronnell Hampton, Founder of Growing Greatness Now. Growing Greatness Now is a consulting firm committed to social and environmental justice.

This episode of Changemakers LA is hosted by Program Officer Wendy Gomez who oversees LISC LA’s Alternatives to Incarceration Incubation Academy. The Incubation Academy is a capacity building program for grassroots organizations serving the reentry population across LA County. Wendy talks to a graduate of the Incubation Academy about why community-based services are so critical in reentry and reimaging a justice system that is focused on care first.

Joining LISC LA for this conversation is:


Danielle Lafayette, Executive Director of Unite a Nation, Alternatives to Incarceration Incubation Academy Graduate

If you're interested in the justice system and how it impacts individuals and communities, this episode of the Changemakers LA Podcast is a must-listen. Host Wendy Gomez speaks with Danielle Lafayette, the founder and Executive Director of Unite a Nation, a community-based organization providing housing, economic stability, and restorative justice services to formerly incarcerated individuals. The conversation explores why a care-first approach is crucial in the reimagination of the justice system, and how community-based services such as housing, economic stability, mental health, and peer support can facilitate healing and build stronger, safer communities. This episode offers insights and personal experiences that shed light on the complex challenges and opportunities facing the reentry population and the importance of community-centered solutions.

About our guest:

Danielle Lafayette is the founder and Executive Director of Unite a Nation, providing housing, economic stability, and wraparound services to formerly incarcerated individuals and youth development programs. She is justice-impacted and a strong advocate, having witnessed close family members impacted by the criminal injustice system.

If you would like to learn more about how we support place-based initiatives for housing, economic development, and alternatives to incarceration at LISC LA, please visit us online at www.lisc.org/los-angeles and follow us on twitter @LISC_LA.

You can find the rest of the series on iTunes, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Subscribe to hear more conversations about the people and places that shape Los Angeles.

This podcast was produced in collaboration with Ronnell Hampton, Founder of Growing Greatness Now. Growing Greatness Now is a consulting firm committed to social and environmental justice.

Senior Program Officer Shona Sen hosts this Changemakers LA podcast episode, covering the support Angelenos need in accessing digital literacy and upskilling opportunities through LISC's Financial Opportunity Centers® (FOCs). LISC's FOCs are community partners that provide employment and career counseling, one-on-one financial coaching, low-cost financial products, and income support counseling free of cost to their neighborhoods and communities.

Joining LISC LA for this conversation are:

● Susy Contreras, Community Development Program Director of the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF)

● Dawn Comer, Director of Technology Inclusion for the City of Los Angeles Mayor's Office of Budget and Innovation

● Sandra Bonneville, Financial Empowerment Program Manager for Central City Neighborhood Partners (CCNP)

See full show notes for this episode at https://www.lisc.org/los-angeles/regional-stories/changemakers-la-podcast-financial-literacy-just-recovery/

This episode of Changemakers LA was made possible by Mastercard Impact Fund, with support from the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth.

If you want to learn more about how we support place-based initiatives for housing and economic development at LISC LA, please visit us online at https://www.lisc.org/los-angeles and follow us on Facebook @LISCLosAngeles.

Senior Program Officers Shona Sen and Stephen Salazar Ceasar host this Changemakers LA podcast episode covering organizations helping formerly incarcerated Angelenos navigate life after incarceration with support to find public services and pathways to highroad careers. Our guests represent the leaders of organizations implementing innovative approaches to helping the formerly incarcerated reconnect to the world that has changed so much during their incarceration.

Joining LISC LA for this conversation are:

● Roberto Luca, Director of Mass Liberation

● Semaje Stinson, Vocational Counselor with Asian Pacific Islander Drug Abuse Program

● Adewale Ogunbadejo, Vice President of Workforce Development at GRID Alternatives



Read the full show notes on our website at https://www.lisc.org/los-angeles/regional-stories/changemakers-la-podcast-upward-mobility-reentry-population

This episode of Changemakers LA was made possible by our partner, Ralph M Parsons Foundation.

If you want to learn more about how we support place-based initiatives for housing and economic development at LISC LA, please visit us online at https://www.lisc.org/los-angeles and follow us on Twitter @LISC_LA.

You can find the rest of the series on iTunes, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Subscribe to hear more conversations about the people and places that shape Los Angeles. This podcast was produced in collaboration with Ronnell Hampton, founder of Growing Greatness Now. Growing Greatness Now is a consulting firm committed to social and environmental justice.

Senior Program Officer Alexandra Dawson hosts this Changemakers LA podcast episode covering how organizations are helping address housing scarcity and homelessness through urban development, social programs, and advocacy. Our guests represent the leaders of organizations implementing innovative approaches to account for the most marginalized communities impacted by homelessness, like Angelenos who are transitional age youth, LGBTQ, and formerly incarcerated.

Joining LISC LA for this conversation are:

● Erika Hartman, Executive Director, Safe Place for Youth

● Becky Dennison, Venice Community Housing

● Veronica Lewis, Executive Director, HOPICS

Learn more about our speakers at https://www.lisc.org/los-angeles/regional-stories/addressing-affordable-housing-and-homeless-crisis-los-angeles

If you want to learn more about how we support place-based initiatives for housing and economic development at LISC LA, please visit us online at https://www.lisc.org/los-angeles and follow us on Twitter @LISC_LA.