Meet the Team
Jennie Burciaga
Executive Director
Entering the nonprofit workforce in 2005, Jennie began her career in her hometown of South Lake Tahoe after receiving a BA in Human Communications from California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) in 2003. She served as a therapeutic counselor for a continuation school, juvenile hall and group home, then became an educator for four years in Monterey County. Over time, she became frustrated with the lack of opportunity throughout juvenile justice and educational systems for the youth she worked with to 1) take accountability for their actions and 2) learn how to make different decisions in the future to self-modify undesirable behavior toward more beneficial outcomes. With the intention of being more effective in her work and community solutions, Jennie returned to CSUMB, where she earned an MA in Public Policy in 2012. Concurrently she taught in K-12 schools in Monterey and volunteered as a Victim Offender Reconciliation mediator with RJP, Inc.
Jennie became the Executive Director of RJP, Inc. in 2013, where she remains dedicated to providing young people the opportunity to learn from their mistakes while they repair harm they have caused others so they can move on to make beneficial contributions to their families and communities.
Executive Director
Entering the nonprofit workforce in 2005, Jennie began her career in her hometown of South Lake Tahoe after receiving a BA in Human Communications from California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) in 2003. She served as a therapeutic counselor for a continuation school, juvenile hall and group home, then became an educator for four years in Monterey County. Over time, she became frustrated with the lack of opportunity throughout juvenile justice and educational systems for the youth she worked with to 1) take accountability for their actions and 2) learn how to make different decisions in the future to self-modify undesirable behavior toward more beneficial outcomes. With the intention of being more effective in her work and community solutions, Jennie returned to CSUMB, where she earned an MA in Public Policy in 2012. Concurrently she taught in K-12 schools in Monterey and volunteered as a Victim Offender Reconciliation mediator with RJP, Inc.
Jennie became the Executive Director of RJP, Inc. in 2013, where she remains dedicated to providing young people the opportunity to learn from their mistakes while they repair harm they have caused others so they can move on to make beneficial contributions to their families and communities.
Arlene De La Peña
Lead Manager, Restorative Justice in Schools Program
Arleen De La Peña was born in Chicago, Illinois, and into a family of two: her mother, Ahide Serrano and brother, Oracio Serrano, who was born deaf. Due to her brother's disability, she is fluent in American Sign Language. She also speaks Spanish and English. Arleen was raised in Monterey County; attending North Monterey County High School, Monterey Peninsula College, and California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB). At CSUMB she is studied Collaborative Health and Human Services with an emphasis in Social Work. She interned with Restorative Justice Partners, Inc. and became part of the staff as the case manager for RJ in Schools in 2016.
Lead Manager, Restorative Justice in Schools Program
Arleen De La Peña was born in Chicago, Illinois, and into a family of two: her mother, Ahide Serrano and brother, Oracio Serrano, who was born deaf. Due to her brother's disability, she is fluent in American Sign Language. She also speaks Spanish and English. Arleen was raised in Monterey County; attending North Monterey County High School, Monterey Peninsula College, and California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB). At CSUMB she is studied Collaborative Health and Human Services with an emphasis in Social Work. She interned with Restorative Justice Partners, Inc. and became part of the staff as the case manager for RJ in Schools in 2016.
Jocelyn Mendoza
Case Coordinator, Restorative Justice in Schools Program
Jocelyn, who was born in Salinas and has lived in the Monterey County her entire life, is currently attending Monterey Peninsula College and working toward her AA degree in Human Services. In the spring of 2017, Jocelyn interned with RJP, Inc. working in the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program, where she found her passion in helping her community. She fell in love with Restorative Justice, and it became clear that this was the path she wanted to follow. Jocelyn was hired last year as a Schools Case Manager. Jocelyn duties include: building community by facilitating circles with kids of all ages, as well as supporting school based mediations. Jocelyn has also helped co-facilitate in the Victim Impact Program.
Case Coordinator, Restorative Justice in Schools Program
Jocelyn, who was born in Salinas and has lived in the Monterey County her entire life, is currently attending Monterey Peninsula College and working toward her AA degree in Human Services. In the spring of 2017, Jocelyn interned with RJP, Inc. working in the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program, where she found her passion in helping her community. She fell in love with Restorative Justice, and it became clear that this was the path she wanted to follow. Jocelyn was hired last year as a Schools Case Manager. Jocelyn duties include: building community by facilitating circles with kids of all ages, as well as supporting school based mediations. Jocelyn has also helped co-facilitate in the Victim Impact Program.
Elaine Levario
Administrative Assistant
Elaine, who was born in Gilroy, California, earned AA degrees in Business Office Technology and Business Administration at Monterey Peninsula College (MPC) in 2017. Through MPC, she served as an intern at RJP, Inc. in 2015, and the following year joined the team in the position of Administrative Assistant. Elaine’s main duties are overseeing and managing the RJP, Inc. office, providing a variety of general administrative and staff support.
Administrative Assistant
Elaine, who was born in Gilroy, California, earned AA degrees in Business Office Technology and Business Administration at Monterey Peninsula College (MPC) in 2017. Through MPC, she served as an intern at RJP, Inc. in 2015, and the following year joined the team in the position of Administrative Assistant. Elaine’s main duties are overseeing and managing the RJP, Inc. office, providing a variety of general administrative and staff support.
Elsa Guillen
Case Coordinator, Restorative Justice in Schools Program
Elsa Guillen is a native to Seaside California studying Collaborative Health and Human Service with a multi-discipline in Social Work and Public Administration Non-Profit Management at CSU Monterey Bay. In September 2018 she became both an intern and employee with RJP, Inc., were she assists in case management support to RJ in the Schools. Elsa’s internship is focused on gaining experience and building relationship with our local alternative school by implementing restorative justice practices.
Case Coordinator, Restorative Justice in Schools Program
Elsa Guillen is a native to Seaside California studying Collaborative Health and Human Service with a multi-discipline in Social Work and Public Administration Non-Profit Management at CSU Monterey Bay. In September 2018 she became both an intern and employee with RJP, Inc., were she assists in case management support to RJ in the Schools. Elsa’s internship is focused on gaining experience and building relationship with our local alternative school by implementing restorative justice practices.
Elizabeth "Beth" Gallardo
Victim Impact Program & Schools Case Manager
Beth joined the RJP team in May 2018 as a graduate student intern. After earning her Masters in Social Work a few months later, she joined the staff full time. Her previous experience in engaging with at-risk youth, college students and incarcerated adults inform her present endeavors as the Victim Impact Program (VIP) and Schools Case Manager. In this role, Beth has infused existing victim impact curricula with restorative justice practices, and she serves as the lead facilitator for several VIP courses offered to juveniles in the community as well as adults at the Monterey County Jail. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Beth brings a fresh perspective and passion for individual and community empowerment, growth and healing to her work every day.
Victim Impact Program & Schools Case Manager
Beth joined the RJP team in May 2018 as a graduate student intern. After earning her Masters in Social Work a few months later, she joined the staff full time. Her previous experience in engaging with at-risk youth, college students and incarcerated adults inform her present endeavors as the Victim Impact Program (VIP) and Schools Case Manager. In this role, Beth has infused existing victim impact curricula with restorative justice practices, and she serves as the lead facilitator for several VIP courses offered to juveniles in the community as well as adults at the Monterey County Jail. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Beth brings a fresh perspective and passion for individual and community empowerment, growth and healing to her work every day.
Luis Martinez
Victim Impact Program Case Coordinator
Luis began working with RJP as a Volunteer Mediator for the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP) in 2018. On the summer of 2019, he was hired on as a Victim Impact Case Coordinator for the Victim Impact Program (VIP). Wanting to further his education, he went back to school and is currently in the process of getting his Associates Degree in Administration of Justice at Hartnell Community College. Luis grew up on the east side of Salinas. He is a fraternal twin and is the oldest of five other siblings. Uncertain of what he wanted to pursue after high school, he got a job at a fast food restaurant where he met his wife, Maria. In 2011, He graduated from Central Coast College and received his California Pharmacy Technician’s license. He worked as a pharmacy Technician from 2011-2015 at CVS/Pharmacy, Natividad Medical Center, and Correctional Training Facility in Soledad. Near the ending of 2015, Luis was hired on with the County of Monterey where he currently works. He is passionate in helping his community and finds it very rewarding working with at-risk youth.
Victim Impact Program Case Coordinator
Luis began working with RJP as a Volunteer Mediator for the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP) in 2018. On the summer of 2019, he was hired on as a Victim Impact Case Coordinator for the Victim Impact Program (VIP). Wanting to further his education, he went back to school and is currently in the process of getting his Associates Degree in Administration of Justice at Hartnell Community College. Luis grew up on the east side of Salinas. He is a fraternal twin and is the oldest of five other siblings. Uncertain of what he wanted to pursue after high school, he got a job at a fast food restaurant where he met his wife, Maria. In 2011, He graduated from Central Coast College and received his California Pharmacy Technician’s license. He worked as a pharmacy Technician from 2011-2015 at CVS/Pharmacy, Natividad Medical Center, and Correctional Training Facility in Soledad. Near the ending of 2015, Luis was hired on with the County of Monterey where he currently works. He is passionate in helping his community and finds it very rewarding working with at-risk youth.