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John Medina

Growing up in an emotionally unstable household, my early years were marked by uncertainty and turmoil. From being bullied to engaging in juvenile delinquency, my path seemed and was destined for trouble. I eventually joined a gang, was incarcerated in juvenile hall, the county jail and state prison—clear examples of the school-to-prison pipeline at work. During my time behind bars, I made a pivotal decision to earn my GED, a small but significant step towards change even if I didn’t fully grasp it at the time.

The birth of my second child in 2007 served as a wake-up call. I realized that if I didn’t change my ways, I would either end up dead or spend the rest of my life in prison. Seeking a new direction, I turned to higher education. However, the transition was filled with difficulties, and I often relied on alcohol and/or drugs to cope with the deep emotional pain I carried from my early life experiences. Despite numerous setbacks, I persevered and eventually stabilized my life.

I’ve learned that the key to positive transformation isn’t found in a prescribed pill or any other form of medicating, it starts from within. Today, I stand firm in my self-love and self-acceptance—something I previously lacked while struggling to find my place in the world. My story is one of resilience and justice, overcoming labels, stigmas, trauma, and self-inflicted wounds. It’s about never giving up, learning to trust myself, and standing up for what’s right even if it means standing alone.

Today, I’m a proud father of two sons, a contributing member of society, and I lead a sober lifestyle. I currently work to support young adults (18-25) in the criminal justice system seeking to have their felony charges reduced and/or entirely dismissed. I know all too well that early struggles in the criminal justice system can lead to other challenges later in life. I will continue to advocate for change in both the criminal justice and behavioral health care systems.
I have a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from California State University, East Bay (CSUEB).

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