Fellows Spotlight: The 2024 Riverside, California Transforming Juvenile Probation Team!
Posted in Announcements News
After teams participate in the rigorous training and discussion provided by one of our Certificate Programs, the work has only begun. Each team then returns to their own local organizations and communities to implement a Capstone Project. A Capstone Project is a set of actions each Certificate Program participant or team designs and undertakes within their organization and/or in their community to initiate or continue system improvement efforts related to the program they attended.
The Riverside, California team, which participated in our 2024 Transforming Juvenile Probation program, sought to establish and maintain a continuum of quality community care from prevention to re-entry to allow for more equitable diversion. They planned to achieve this through community engagement, key stakeholder partnerships, and collaborative training with community organizations, county agencies, and educational institutions.
Over the past two years the team, which included members from the Riverside Probation Office, District Attorney’s Office, Public Defenders, Youth, Judges, and Community-Advocate Ramon Ramos, together with their justice partners, has made significant strides. We encourage you to watch this short video produced by the team giving an update on their accomplishments, which reflect not only stronger practices, but a cultural shift toward more youth-driven, family centered, and collaborative work.
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3YQJPy1Ynw
Fellow Spotlight: Ramon Ramos
Ramon Ramos, the founder and President of The Exception, has an incredible life story that defies all odds. Born and raised in the streets of San Bernardino, California, he was surrounded by the harsh realities of drug addiction and gang violence from an early age. His future appeared bleak, and the prospect of a life in prison seemed inevitable.
By the age of 15, he found himself heavily involved in gangs, battling a meth addiction and living homeless on the streets. Determined to break free, Ramon embarked on a journey of personal transformation. His experiences inspired him to establish a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life through a holistic approach to wellness.
Ramon’s story of overcoming adversity is at the heart of The Exception’s name and ethos. He refused to accept the grim predictions others had made for his life and became “The Exception.” His remarkable journey serves as an inspiration to others facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.
He brings over 25 years of experience mentoring at-promise youth and individuals impacted by the justice system, dedicating his life to creating lasting, positive change for young people and their families. Today, he works to cultivate a culture of servant leadership while strategically managing relationships with community stakeholders, media, and government partners to advance outreach and expansion efforts.
Most recently he was appointed as the Chairman of the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council Ad Hoc Committee in Riverside County to help establish a community-based approach for youth justice system services. This also led him to create what is now known as the CBO Alliance, a dynamic group of community based organizations, united by a shared commitment to foster vibrant communities and address systemic challenges
If you would like to meet Ramon, he’ll be speaking at our upcoming America’s Youth Justice Story national forum on September 10th! He’ll be joined by an all-star panel discussing and analyzing American youth justice narratives through the lens of the media, policy-makers, and communities.
Learn more: