Staff
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.
Veronica Miramontes (Guevara)
Victim Offender Reconciliation Coordinator
Veronica began her work with RJP, Inc. in the summer of 2013 after obtaining her BA in Human Communications at California State University, Monterey Bay with a double concentration in Creative Writing/Social Action and Journalism/Media Studies. In her position as Victim Offender Reconciliation Coordinator, Veronica’s responsibilities are to support all services at RJP, Inc., contribute in social media outreach, generate newsletters, lead event planning and co-lead fundraisers. Her main duties are managing cases for juvenile offenders, victims of their crimes and the community through a restorative justice lens. She also trains RJP's volunteer mediators. The Nonprofit Alliance of Monterey County awarded Veronica the 2016 Innovation Award for her “thoughtfulness and dedication to her work.” Born and raised in Mendocino County, her greatest joy in life is spending quality time with her husband, Danny, and their children Ailani, Jesé Milan and baby Mila Cristina.
Victim Offender Reconciliation Coordinator
Veronica began her work with RJP, Inc. in the summer of 2013 after obtaining her BA in Human Communications at California State University, Monterey Bay with a double concentration in Creative Writing/Social Action and Journalism/Media Studies. In her position as Victim Offender Reconciliation Coordinator, Veronica’s responsibilities are to support all services at RJP, Inc., contribute in social media outreach, generate newsletters, lead event planning and co-lead fundraisers. Her main duties are managing cases for juvenile offenders, victims of their crimes and the community through a restorative justice lens. She also trains RJP's volunteer mediators. The Nonprofit Alliance of Monterey County awarded Veronica the 2016 Innovation Award for her “thoughtfulness and dedication to her work.” Born and raised in Mendocino County, her greatest joy in life is spending quality time with her husband, Danny, and their children Ailani, Jesé Milan and baby Mila Cristina.
Arlene de la Peña
Case 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.
Case 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 Manager, 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 Manager, 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.
Cari-Esta Albert
Schools Case Manager
As Schools Case Manager, Cari-Esta facilitates mediations and community building circles in Salinas, Monterey, Seaside and Marina. Her trainings and volunteer positions have included Ken Cloke Center for Dispute Resolution, Centinela Youth Services, Western Justice Center and Restorative Justice Partners, Inc. She continues to serve as a volunteer mediator with the Victim Offender Reconciliation Process through RJP. A former Los Angeles based film and TV executive and producer who relocated to the Monterey Peninsula 2014, Cari-Esta also serves as a volunteer with the Monterey Bay Aquarium sea otter research and conservation program.
Schools Case Manager
As Schools Case Manager, Cari-Esta facilitates mediations and community building circles in Salinas, Monterey, Seaside and Marina. Her trainings and volunteer positions have included Ken Cloke Center for Dispute Resolution, Centinela Youth Services, Western Justice Center and Restorative Justice Partners, Inc. She continues to serve as a volunteer mediator with the Victim Offender Reconciliation Process through RJP. A former Los Angeles based film and TV executive and producer who relocated to the Monterey Peninsula 2014, Cari-Esta also serves as a volunteer with the Monterey Bay Aquarium sea otter research and conservation 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.
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.
Doug Mueller
School Program Administrator
Doug Mueller was born in Dubuque, Iowa, and came to the Monterey Peninsula in 1998 to attend California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB), where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Film, Video and Theater production and met his future wife, Malinda. In 2016, Doug was introduced to RJP, Inc. in the course of creating a short documentary film about the work and programs in Monterey County administered by them. Since becoming a regular employee of RJP, Inc., in 2017, Doug has found his work in the Monterey Peninsula School District challenging and important.
School Program Administrator
Doug Mueller was born in Dubuque, Iowa, and came to the Monterey Peninsula in 1998 to attend California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB), where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Film, Video and Theater production and met his future wife, Malinda. In 2016, Doug was introduced to RJP, Inc. in the course of creating a short documentary film about the work and programs in Monterey County administered by them. Since becoming a regular employee of RJP, Inc., in 2017, Doug has found his work in the Monterey Peninsula School District challenging and important.
Marshal Galvan Jr.
Intern
Born in San Jose, California, Marshal was a product of the foster care system for nearly 13 years and struggled with gang violence, drug and alcohol addictions, incarceration and homelessness in his teens and young-adult life. He began his journey of sobriety in 2014, and since then his life has been transformed. Marshal obtained an AA degree in Social Sciences and a Communication Studies Certificate from Gavilan College in Gilroy, California. He joined RJP, Inc. as an intern in February 2019. Currently, Marshal is studying Collaborative Health and Human Services with an emphasis in Social Work at California State University, Monterey Bay.
Marshal says that he is “inspired to grow and learn more in the field of restorative justice practices because my experience has taught me that restoration is possible and achievable.”
Intern
Born in San Jose, California, Marshal was a product of the foster care system for nearly 13 years and struggled with gang violence, drug and alcohol addictions, incarceration and homelessness in his teens and young-adult life. He began his journey of sobriety in 2014, and since then his life has been transformed. Marshal obtained an AA degree in Social Sciences and a Communication Studies Certificate from Gavilan College in Gilroy, California. He joined RJP, Inc. as an intern in February 2019. Currently, Marshal is studying Collaborative Health and Human Services with an emphasis in Social Work at California State University, Monterey Bay.
Marshal says that he is “inspired to grow and learn more in the field of restorative justice practices because my experience has taught me that restoration is possible and achievable.”
Elsa Guillen
Program Support & Intern
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.
Program Support & Intern
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.