Q&A with Justice Reinvestment Coalition (JRC) on how community-based organizations (CBOs) in Alameda County are coming together to address the root causes of violence and shift away from ineffective punitive carceral approaches.
For the latest edition of our All In for Oakland grantee partner spotlights, I had the pleasure of speaking with Karen Chin, Justice Reinvestment Coalition Coordinator. We spoke about JRC’s work to end incarceration and shift investment and policies towards providing communities in Alameda County with access to their basic needs, from housing to mental health services.
Read my interview with Karen to learn more about JRC’s work to create a fair and just public safety system based on effective practices that invest in our communities, our families, and our people.
— Ray Colmenar, President of Akonadi Foundation
At JRC, we push for accountability and systemic changes that allow resources to truly reach communities. We advocate for investments that address root causes of community safety like mental health, poverty, and housing insecurity rather than punitive measures that perpetuate harm.
Q: Could you share a little bit about the Justice Reinvestment Coalition (JRC), including its history, mission and vision?
A: The Justice Reinvestment Coalition of Alameda County (JRC) is composed of community-based groups committed to reimagining public safety in Alameda County. It was born out of the movement to address prison overcrowding in California. Leaders in Alameda County joined forces with the Proposition 47 team, which aimed to reduce incarceration, and the coalition grew from there.
Initially, the coalition’s goal was to ensure that funds saved from reducing the prison population—millions of dollars—were directed to community-based organizations (CBOs) for rehabilitation, healing services, and reentry support. The guiding principle was that transitioning home is most effective when done through community-based healing rather than through law enforcement.
A significant win for the coalition was securing a 50-50 split of funds from the state to Alameda County under AB109. This ensured that half of the funds went directly to CBOs for reentry services, a major victory considering community organizations often receive only a small fraction of available budgets.
JRC’s mission centers on divesting from carceral systems and reinvesting in community-driven solutions that address the root causes of violence, poverty, and inequity. The coalition empowers systems-impacted individuals and communities to lead advocacy efforts, offer solutions, and hold local leadership accountable.
Q: What inspired you to get involved with JRC?
A: My background is in youth development and public health. I worked with middle school to transitional-age youth, and the majority of the youth I worked with were high school age. I led leadership and civic engagement programs with a holistic approach to wellness for students and their families. For example, I integrated mentorship into leadership programs and found creative ways to teach life skills, budgeting and collaboration through cooking programs.
I worked with a diverse range of young people, from children of immigrants with mixed-status families to systems-impacted youth who faced frequent interactions with law enforcement. I witnessed firsthand how these interactions shaped their views on safety, justice, and representation. We talked about everything—from the cost of making pasta versus eating out to civic engagement and community resources.
I was drawn to JRC because of the opportunity to work in the East Bay, which is known for its vibrant organizing culture. For transparency, I initially questioned whether I was the right person for the role, as I’m not directly systems-impacted.
My relationship with law enforcement is unique because I was adopted and raised by a law enforcement officer. To the outside world, they were seen as a protector and role model, someone deeply committed to fostering trust and security within the community. However, behind closed doors, the reality was starkly different. Their authority and public persona masked a pattern of manipulation and harm within our household, leaving us to navigate the duality of their outward reputation and the private turmoil they caused.
However, I realized that my work experience managing community based programs would enable me to support the coalition’s infrastructure and development as the world came out of the COVID-19 lockdown.
A lot of the funding feels like handing out gift cards—small, short-term solutions—rather than providing organizations with sustainable resources and the time they need to do their work effectively.
Q: What does it look like to shift resources and investments away from punitive carceral approaches and toward more sustainable, long term solutions to public safety?
A: Shifting resources means more than just redirecting funds; it involves changing the systems and structures that control those resources. For example, even though we secured a 50-50 split of funds under AB 109, these resources still flow through law enforcement, creating barriers for CBOs.
One of the biggest challenges is ensuring accessible and consistent funding for essential services like housing. Quality and availability of housing are critical for reentry, yet these areas remain underfunded. And our system continues to uphold barriers to housing access.
At JRC, we push for accountability and systemic changes that allow resources to truly reach communities. We advocate for investments that address root causes of community safety like mental health, poverty, and housing insecurity rather than punitive measures that perpetuate harm.
Q: Could you tell us about the goal of the JRC Fellowship program?
A: The JRC Fellowship Program was founded to support systems-impacted individuals by providing leadership opportunities and building their capacity to advocate for change. Named after Dr. Prince White and Terri McWilliams, the program uplifts community voices, ensuring that those most affected by the carceral system have a seat at the table and can lead efforts toward community healing and justice.
Q: What’s on the horizon for youth justice in California?
A: California is moving toward closing youth prisons and juvenile halls, but challenges remain in ensuring that funds are reinvested into community-driven programs. Organizations like Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice (CURYJ) and Urban Peace Movement focus on addressing basic needs while fostering leadership and advocacy skills among young people. The goal is to create spaces where youth can thrive while addressing systemic inequities and root causes of violence.
Q: JRC previously led political education campaigns to provide community members with background information on elected officials and share how they can get involved. How did the JRC continue advancing this work during the recent elections?*
A: We did a lot of pre-election education, especially on how to make public comments and engage with local governments. One of the biggest ways we engage youth is by involving them directly in advocacy. We hosted an “advocacy through public comments” workshop, and we’ve taken it to other community organizations as well. It’s crucial that youth understand the power of their voice and that they have the tools to use it effectively. Many of our TAY (Transitional Age Youth) are already acting as liaisons for various proposition campaigns, gaining leadership experience and a sense of empowerment. These youth are showing up, organizing, and actively participating in civic engagement.
Q: What challenges do you see in how resources are allocated to CBOs?
A: A lot of the funding feels like handing out gift cards—small, short-term solutions—rather than providing organizations with sustainable resources and the time they need to do their work effectively. For example, OpenGate, which supports post-secondary education and has a 90% success rate with near-zero recidivism, recently secured AB109 funding. But the process to get there required navigating a complex system of probation and CCP processes. Similarly, APSC, another high-impact organization, is advocating to ensure they stay eligible for contracts to provide family reunification services.
At a meeting, someone asked how these groups achieve such high success rates with so little funding. I took the mic and said, “It’s because these nice ladies are working for free.” That’s the reality—passionate people often work unpaid or pay out of pocket for essentials like snacks and supplies to make the programs work.
Another big issue is the inconsistency in how contracts are structured. For example, some programs can use funds for barrier-removal expenses like groceries or gas, but not for rent. Others can assist with rent, but only if participants meet specific program prerequisites. These rigid structures create unnecessary barriers, making it harder for organizations to address urgent needs holistically.
We also need longer contracts and upfront payments to allow organizations to focus on their work rather than constantly proving themselves for funding. Simple adjustments—like helping pay for first and last month’s rent or down payments—could make a significant difference.
Q: How do community-led efforts maintain momentum and achieve wins like the Free Our Kids Coalition?
A: The Free Our Kids Coalition is a great example of sustained momentum leading to a historic win. Before I joined my current position, they achieved a major victory by canceling a $75 million plan to revamp Camp Sweeney, a detention camp. Organizations like Urban Peace Movement and CURYJ were core partners in this effort, engaging in actions like public comment, creative campaigns, and Valentine’s Day-themed events to keep attention on the issue.
A critical factor in their success was dedicated funding for the campaign. This allowed them to focus on organizing and advocacy, ensuring they could sustain the effort over multiple years. The fight against the jail expansion with the Care First Jails Last Coalition was similar—it required clear goals, community engagement, and continuous momentum.
Q: What challenges do you see now in the juvenile justice system?
A: While recent wins—like stopping the Camp Sweeney revamp and California’s move to close youth prisons—are huge, new challenges are emerging. We’re seeing an increase in crime narratives that perpetuate fear around teenagers, which complicates efforts to push for community-based solutions.
On top of that, we’re often stuck waiting for bureaucratic action, like decisions from County Councils or Boards of Supervisors, which slows progress.
Q: What are some of the positive changes or hope you’re seeing in youth justice work?
A: There are some truly inspiring programs happening right now that give me hope. One of the most encouraging things is seeing young people take on leadership roles. For example, programs like the Leadership Institute and the Dream Beyond Bars Fellows are empowering youth to find their voices, engage in community organizing, and even take on positions as liaisons for prop campaigns. These programs provide youth with mentors, community, and space to thrive. The youth I work with are incredibly smart, resourceful, and resilient. They have a strong sense of community, often creating safe “third spaces” for themselves when home doesn’t feel safe.
It’s all about meeting their basic human needs and giving them spaces to grow, learn, and develop. When youth have access to food, safety, mentors, and community, they can thrive. But we also need to ensure that our systems of care aren’t just punitive but are focused on rehabilitation and support. If we can create and maintain these positive environments, we can start to break the cycle of criminalization and truly support the growth and potential of our youth.
Q: What do you think is essential for a future that supports young people and keeps them from being criminalized?
A: It’s all about meeting their basic human needs and giving them spaces to grow, learn, and develop. When youth have access to food, safety, mentors, and community, they can thrive. But we also need to ensure that our systems of care aren’t just punitive but are focused on rehabilitation and support. If we can create and maintain these positive environments, we can start to break the cycle of criminalization and truly support the growth and potential of our youth.