PGI Annual Convening | Cal State LA

Wednesday, April 23, 2025
12 - 6 p.m.
"Second Chance Month" at Cal State LA
University Student Union Plaza

We are opening doors to opportunities for men and women to successfully reenter society after incarceration.

In collaboration with LA County's Justice Care and Opportunities Department our outdoor resource fair features networking opportunities, workshops, and exhibition booths from a range of local community-based organizations to support your next steps.

This fun, family-friendly resource fair will also feature workshops for second chance career development and employee recruitment, as well as networking opportunities, healing circles, and campus tours for those interested in becoming Cal State LA students.

Schedule of Workshops and Events

Outdoors - University Student Union Stage

12:00 p.m. - Welcome
Dr. Bidhan Roy, PGI Director

12:30 p.m. - Jason Garcia, Los Angeles City Mayor's Office of Community Safety

12:45 p.m. - We Are PGI
Allen Burnett, Exec. Director, The Prism Way
Kunlyna Tauch and Edwin Cruz, PGI Alumni

1:00 - 2:00 p.m. - OFFICIAL CAMPUS TOUR
starts and finishes at USU main stage 

2:00 p.m. - Cal State LA, Your Second Chance Campus
Patrick Day, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management

2:45 p.m. - LA County’s Care First Approach
Judge Songhai Armstead, Director of JCOD

3 - 3:45 p.m - Anti-Recidivism Coalition: Beyond the Record: What's in Your Toolbox?
Eboni Nash, Assoc. Director of Development, Kevin Neighbors TAY Workforce Development Coordinator, and Kenny Johnson, HART Team Member

4 - 4:45 p.m - Prism Way & CWF Peace: Leading a community-based organization
Tina Padilla & Allen Burnett in conversation with Robert Robertson (JCOD)

5:00 p.m.- Closing Ceremony Healing Circle, facilitated by Healing, Dialogue & Action.

University Student Union: 2nd Floor, Pasadena Room 

 12 -12:45 p.m. - Cal State LA Career Center: Knowing My Career Qualifications
Michelle Lovasz & Deon Whitmore
This workshop will help you make more informed decisions about your career choices.

1 - 1:45 p.m. - Know your Rights for Second Chance Careers
LAFLA Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles 

2 - 2:45 p.m.  - Civil Service Careers at Caltrans
Tom Hicks 

3 - 3:45 p.m.  - Re-entry Wellness
Dr. Annie Larson

Confirmed Exhibitors

A New Way of Life Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) California Justice Leaders Homeboy Industries Mass Liberation Project Kinship The Prism Way SoLa I Can Foundation Community Warriors 4 Peace Servicon Share Self Help Organization Social Service Advocacy Tarzana Health Center The Los Angeles County Department of Veterans Affairs UAII, Via Care Volunteers of America Los Angeles (VOALA) Healing Dialogue and Action Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) L.A. CADA Peace Over Violence Caltrans California Health & Human Services Justice, Care, and Opportunities Department (JCOD) East LA City College (ELAC) Antelope Valley College (AVC) Chaffey Community College Cypress Community College Los Angeles City College (LACC) Mt. SAC Community College Pasadena City College (PCC)

California Community Colleges Rising Scholars Network

A New Way of Life Organization — A New Way of Life