Executive Director

Max Cerda

Max Cerda, was incarcerated from the age of 16 to the age of 35. He was tried as an adult, (702). Of those 19 years of incarceration 5 and a half years were spent in segregation, for him that is where he began to grow and develop. One of the last times that he got released from segregation he got involved with a Latino committee (The Latino Cultural Exchange Coalition, LCEC) that brothers from Stateville had created to promote cultural awareness and Latino unity. Upon his release (and even before he got released) Max, put into practice what he had learned from the LCEC - Latino Unity!

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He involved himself with anti-violence programs and peace initiatives within his community of Humboldt Park. He worked in alternative high schools as a mentor, conflict mediator and advocate for at-risk and in-risk youth. From 2008 to 2012, the Department Of State and US Embassy from Mexico awarded Max a mini-grant to go to Mexico for 4 consecutive years as a US Speaker on Violence Prevention and Intervention and to conduct workshops. He visited many, if not all, of the juvenile and adult prisons throughout Mexico…he was working for Ceasefire then. In 2018 Max became the Lead For Street Intervention in Humboldt Park for BUILD Inc.

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In March 2021 Max was appointed to the Illinois Prisoner review Board (IPRB), and a year later in March of 2022 Max was removed from the IPRB, but before he was removed Max formed a collaborative called the Illinois Latino Reintegration Community Collaborative, ILRCC., that consisted of 8 Latino led community organizations; 4 from the Southside and 4 from the Northside of Chicago. In June of 2022 ICJIA awarded the ILRCC close to 4 million dollars. Max served as the Regional Manager for the duration of the program.

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Minister, Mentor, and Messenger of Redemption

Ronnie Carrasquillo

Ronnie Carrasquillo is a devoted servant of God, a spiritual leader, and a living testimony of redemption. Sentenced to 200–600 years and spending 47 years behind bars, Ronnie chose faith over bitterness, transformation over destruction. He holds a bachelor’s degree in theological studies and has graduated from four Bible colleges, equipping himself to minister hope and healing both inside and outside the prison walls. Throughout his life, Ronnie has contributed writings to three spiritual workbooks that guide others on their journey to freedom through Christ. Today, heserves as an ambassador for the Illinois Prison Project, speaks boldly for justice reform in Springfield, and hosts the podcast Unshackled: Building Bridges, a platformfor truth, restoration, and faith. His story is also the focus of the documentary In Their Hands, which exposes the parole system's corruption and raises the call for mercy and reform.

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For over 50 years, Ronnie has worked with youth, helping them break free from the grip of street gangs and equipping them with both life skills and spiritual tools to walk in purpose. His ministry extends into jails, prisons, and communities, where he supports reentry efforts and uplifts families impacted by incarceration. As a credible messenger shaped by early experiences of racism, broken homes, and street violence, Ronnie now leads others to become peacemakers for God’s Kingdom—proclaiming that no one is beyond God’s reach and every life has a divine purpose.

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Watch Unshackled: Building Bridges a transformational video podcast hosted by Gill and Ronnie Carrasquillo—two men whose powerful journeys led them from the streets and prison yards to platforms of healing, advocacy, and purpose.

Program Manager

Nick Colon

Nick Colon grew up in Humboldt Park as the middle child of five, with a passion for sports and a drive to push beyond the challenges of his environment. He knows firsthand that no matter how difficult one’s circumstances may be, it is possible to break cycles of violence, poverty, and incarceration.

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Wrongfully convicted at a young age, Nick served 25 years in prison. During that time, he chose to take advantage of every opportunity available—earning an associate’s degree, HVAC and culinary arts certifications, and participating in numerous self-help and personal growth programs. While maintaining his innocence, Nick used solitude to reflect on the choices and circumstances that shaped his life. Through this process, he gained a deep sense of accountability and resilience that continues to guide him today.

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Reentry was not easy. Finding employment was especially difficult, but with the support of the Illinois Innocence Project and the opportunity to work with Max, who believed in him when others would not, Nick began rebuilding his life with purpose. That purpose became clear through his work with Latino Reentry Resource Services (LRRS): helping others navigate challenges, advocating for justice in court, and serving as a source of hope and guidance for those facing barriers.

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For Nick, success is not measured in financial terms but in the impact he leaves on others’ lives. His legacy is built on mentorship, advocacy, and the commitment to breaking harmful cycles so that future generations can thrive. Today, Nick is proud to dedicate his life to uplifting others and creating lasting change in his community.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Policy Advisor & Community Engagement Director

James Soto

James "Jimmy" Soto is a community organizer, artist, prisoner advocate, writer, and future JD candidate.  He was wrongfully convicted and was released after serving 42 years. He is a paralegal at Northwestern University Pritzker's School of Law in the Community Justice and Civil Rights Clinic.  He is a Community Justice Fellow and Practitioner at the University of Chicago's Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture (CSRPC). He volunteers for Parole Illinois, Walls Turned Sideways(WTS) and is the founder and director of a Campaign called # Build Communities Not Prisons which  aims to close prisons and advocate for early release initiatives.

Board Member

Jose Pizarro

Bio coming soon!

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Board Member

Jason Maldonado

Jason Michael Maldonado was born and raised in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, growing up on 25th & Rockwell, 24th & Springfield, and later 28th & Kostner. His family was among the first Mexican residents in the area when they moved there in 1976, witnessing the neighborhood's demographic transformation firsthand. At an early age, Jason became involved in street life and gang violence. By age 11, he was a member of the Gangster 26s, and between the ages of 11 and 15, he spent two and a half years in juvenile detention. At 16, under the 703 Juvenile Adult Sentencing Act, he was charged as an adult for murder and attempted murder and received a 27-year sentence, of which he served 13.3 years.

During his incarceration, Jason took the opportunity to transform his life. He pursued education vigorously—earning a Certificate in Horticulture, an Associate of Arts degree from MacMurray College, and a Bachelor of General Studies in Social Science. He became a Certified Associate Addiction Professional through IADAPCA and was deeply engaged in leadership roles within prison programs, including serving as Secretary and Parliamentarian for the Latino Cultural Exchange Coalition (LCEC), Chair of the Latin American Committee, and Treasurer of Toastmasters International. He also worked as a Clinical Service Clerk and Peer Educator, facilitating programs on substance abuse, veterans' support, and men's health awareness.

Upon release, Jason continued his academic and professional journey, earning a Master of Arts in Sociology from Roosevelt University, where he was inducted into the Franklin Honors Society. He has since dedicated his life to community service and youth intervention, working across various organizations​

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Jason has also served on numerous community committees, including the Humboldt Park Reentry Committee, LAPIS Restorative Justice Committee, and Violence Prevention Collaborative. His training includes leadership development with the Metropolitan Peace Academy, Lederamos Institute for Latino Leadership, the Center for Creative Leadership, Chicago Peace Fellowship, and CVDV Network, among others.

He has contributed to the founding and development of multiple nonprofit organizations. He was Executive Secretary of the LCEC, co-director of Positive Pathways of Chicago, and played a key role in the program design of the Illinois Reentry Reintegration Community Collaborative (ILRCC) as South Side Coordinator. He is currently a board member of Latino Reentry Reintegration Services Inc. (LRRS), where he is focused on strengthening the organization's internal structure and launching impactful reentry and reintegration programs.

Jason’s life mission is rooted in redemption, reconciliation, and saving youth from the cycles of gang involvement, substance abuse, and violence—by any means necessary.

Board Member

Jason Rodriguez

Bio coming soon!