AIR, in Partnership with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Announces the Hiring of Three Youth Fellows as Members of the Youth Reentry Training and Technical Assistance Center

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), in partnership with the American Institutes for Research (AIR), announces the hiring of three Youth Fellows as members of the Youth Reentry Training and Technical Assistance Center (YRTTAC). YRTTAC, administered by the OJJDP and operated by AIR, supports capacity building efforts among more than 50 Second Chance Act Reentry grantees from over 30 states and in various stages of their grant cycle.

A major component of YRTTAC is the selection and employment of the Youth Fellows, full-time AIR staff members who are integrated in all aspects of the center’s efforts and engaged in thoughtful work with OJJDP.

The new Youth Fellows will work alongside coaches and partner organizations to offer technical assistance and other support to current OJJDP Youth Reentry Grantees. In addition to contributing their lived experience expertise regarding youth engagement, Youth Fellows serve as core YRTTAC team members, bringing experience working with youth-serving agencies and organizations, as well as valuable lived expertise.

The Youth Fellows programs aligns with AIR’s goal to conduct collaborative research and technical assistance that includes those with lived experience and those who are closest to the challenges that are being addressed.

Youth Fellows are engaged for a three-year term during which they will learn and grow with the YRTTAC team, while aiding the evolution of technical assistance AIR and OJJDP provide.

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Diego Garcia promotes effective juvenile justice reform, drawing from his firsthand experience in the system. Diego’s commitment to addressing systemic issues is evident through his tenure as the president of the youth council for the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice.

Diego has served on several panels at local, state, and national levels, where he has added his perspective of lived experience to discussions surrounding juvenile justice reform. Beyond his professional endeavors, Diego finds joy in self-development, business literature, and staying active through workouts and sports. In addition to his advocacy work, Diego holds licenses in real estate and life insurance in Illinois and is working to obtain a securities license. Through his multifaceted pursuits, Diego remains steadfast in his mission to effect positive change in the juvenile justice landscape.

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Tina Harris is a dynamic contributor to YRTTAC. She actively serves on the New Mexico State Advisory Group as a youth board member, engaging in various committees. Notably, Tina focuses on funding programs and strategies for youth member recruitment and retention within the SAG.

In addition to her organizational roles, Tina offers her expertise as a panelist and consultant to several youth organizations dedicated to advocating for juvenile justice reform and fostering genuine youth participation. Self-identifying as an activist, Tina holds an associate degree in general studies as well as liberal arts.

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Ronaldo Villeda is the executive director of Hoops4Justice, a nonprofit helping incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, and youth in the community achieve positive futures. He has worked as a policy aide for the Santa Ana (Calif.) City Council and as an advocacy and community organizer for the Los Angeles Anti-Recidivism Coalition.

A first-generation Latino, Ronaldo's experiences with Prop 21 in Orange County, California, shaped his dedication to juvenile and social justice reform. His incarceration helped him find a support system, overcome adverse childhood experiences, and discover his purpose: to aid others in similar situations.

Ronaldo enjoys making music, painting, running, and boxing. He holds an associate degree in business and is committed to community engagement and the professional development of juvenile justice staff.