February 4, 2026 • 27 mins
In this episode of the Crime Survivors Speak podcast, host Aswad Thomas sits down with Juan Pablo Chavez, Organizing Director at Crime Survivors Speak and a longtime community organizer whose work bridges faith, culture, and survivor-led advocacy.
Juan Pablo shares how surviving violence shaped his calling to justice work—and why so many survivors, particularly in Latino and immigrant communities, face layers of trauma, fear, and exclusion when seeking safety or support. Drawing on more than two decades of organizing at the neighborhood, state, and national levels, he reflects on what it means for survivors to become architects of healing, capable of transforming pain into collective power.
The conversation explores the role of faith in justice work, the importance of Trauma Recovery Centers, and why building relationships with lawmakers is essential to creating real public safety rooted in dignity, healing, and accountability. This episode is a powerful reminder that when survivors speak—and organize—change truly happens.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to Crime Survivor Speak Podcast.
My name is Aswad Thomas.
I'm the National Directorof Crime Survivors Speak.
We are a national network ofover 200,000 crime victims and
survivors from across the country.
I know many of you have, but if youhaven't already, subscribe to stay
up to date on the latest episodes.
(00:21):
You can do that on YouTube, ApplePodcasts, Spotify, and other
streaming platforms, by clicking onthe link in the caption or email.
Today I'm here with another amazingindividual, I'll probably say one of my
favorite human beings, in this world.
Someone who I've got to workwith these past few years.
Someone who I got to organize with andchange lot of laws across this country,
(00:45):
the one and only, Juan Pablo Chavez.
Juan Pablo Chavez is a long timecommunity organizer with more than
two decades of experience buildingpower in Latino and faith communities,
underserved communities, communities ofcolor, and also playing a key role in
uplifting the voices of crime, survivors.
(01:06):
Juan Pablo is currently our CrimeSurvivors Speak Organizing Director.
Leading our work in Florida andnow in Illinois, where he helps to
organize survivors and helps to turntheir stories into collective action.
That includes shaping policiesthat prioritizes healing,
accountability, leadershipdevelopment, and also real safety.
(01:26):
Juan Pablo's work bridges faith,culture and community power.
Today, he joins us to talk aboutwhat it means for survivors
to lead a movement for change.
Juan Pablo, welcome to theCrime Survivors Speak podcast.
How are you doing today?
I'm doing great.
Thank you for this amazing invitation.
Awesome.
Awesome.
(01:47):
Juan Pablo, over the years, I'veheard you often say, as survivors,
we are called to this work.
When did you first feel that callingto advocacy and what did it mean to
recognize yourself as a survivor?
What a great question.
LA California.
I remember, I was 16 years old, makinga phone call to my mom, from a public
(02:12):
phone when I felt a gun in my back.
So when I woke up, I was bleeding.
And, a few days later, I got a callfrom a detective asking if I was
willing to identify the suspects.
Every interaction was moretraumatic than helpful.
(02:33):
No one asked me, are you okay?
How can we help you?
Do you feel safe?
Years later, I moved to Chicagoand became a victim again.
I remember one day in my church.
And we were reflecting,you know, that God saves.
And I said, yeah, I know God saves, butI don't feel safe in my neighborhood.
(02:56):
I don't feel safe in the streets.
Can we talk about saved versus safe?
And I felt called to do somethingwithin my church, and that's when
I realized that I was a survivor.
That's when I realized that something washappening and I felt called to advocacy.
(03:17):
I felt called to bring realsolutions, especially when
I met Crime Survivors Speak.
I said, wow, this isthe right organization.
This is the rightinstrument to make a change.
There is no support for survivors.
So,
after the realization that therewas no representation for the most
(03:40):
vulnerable, the most forgotten people.
I said, this is the time.
This is the instrument.
And as a survivor, I was thinkingwhy we don't organize to empower
ourselves to share our stories.
In elevating our voices, we'llmake public policy change.
(04:02):
Thank you for sharing that, Juan Pablo.
Take us back, walk us through yourfirst organizing in Chicago, in your
early days of organizing decades ago?
Well, it was in 1998, I was in Chicago andI was in this conversation with a pastor.
talking about, saved versus safe.
(04:23):
And I said, we don'tfeel safe in the streets.
And he said, well, there is a group ofpeople that are trying to do something.
So he introduced me with Ceasefire and Icame to a meeting and they invited me to
work with them to be in the streets, tocoordinate a ceasefire in the south side.
To respond to when a shooting happen,to help people to do a prayer vigil,
(04:47):
to organize the streets, to invitethe community to do something.
Wow.
So you've been organizing since 1998starting in the local community,
helping survivors, helping familiesand communities host prayer
vigils, and also providing themopportunity to get involved, to do
something in their neighborhood.
(05:08):
Through your work, you've spent more thantwo decades organizing in communities and
Latino communities as well, which oftenface barriers most people, never see,
from language access, to thefear of interacting with systems.
I'm curious, JP.
How do these realities shapethe way survivors experience
(05:29):
trauma and seek justice?
And what can Latino and immigrantcommunities teach us about how to
get creative in our organizing?
Yes.
Let me start with barriersmost people never see.
One of the biggest barriers is the trauma,especially the trauma that immigrants
experience when they immigrate to USA, andthat's something that people don't see.
(05:53):
Okay?
The other thing is, immigrants don't puttheir lives at risk for trivial reasons.
Can you imagine crossing the borders forthree to 10 days, walking under extreme
weather conditions, swimming acrossrivers, walking for up to 30 days in
the desert, surviving human trafficking.
(06:14):
They don't do all this tocome and meet Mickey Mouse.
No, no, no, no, no.
There is push and pull factors thatpush immigrants to leave the countries
and factors that pull them also.
So let me tell you this, I've beendoing trainings and talking with a
lot of people, but 90% of a typicalAmerican don't know who is their local,
(06:41):
county, and state representative.
They don't know.
They don't know who's theircity elected officials.
They don't know the county commissioners.
They don't know their senators.
So if they don't know who is thelocal public officials, they don't
understand the international laws andagreements that push and pull immigrants.
(07:03):
Just to give you a few examples,NAFTA, CAFTA, TLC USMCA which is the
North American Free Trade Agreementthat was signed in 1994, in 2020.
Those agreements basically pullimmigrants to this country.
And that's a trauma.
Let me give you one example, okay?
NAFTA, okay, NAFTA, it was an agreementthat subsidized corn in USA, so
(07:31):
when the corn was subsidized, forexample, in Oaxaca, Mexico, okay?
They opened a big company of corn.
So all the small businesses had to close.
They couldn't compete with pricesthat were half prices of the
Mexican prices, compared with USA.
(07:52):
So what happened with that situation,a family who own a shop, they close
because a large company can produce morethan them and can distribute nationwide.
So what happened withthose 2000 farm workers?
They had to immigrate to USA.
That's one of the challenges, oneof the things that are not seen.
Okay.
(08:13):
Another one is that immigrantsface multiple challenges,
trauma and also seeking justice.
They don't trust authorities becauseimmigrants have been deported
because they work with no documents.
That's sad, but we never talk aboutdeporting corporations who hired them.
(08:34):
We never talk about the companies.
There is a big need of labor, butthe companies look for cheap labor.
And we don't talk about punishing them.
We don't talk about deporting them.
Who gets the trauma?
The immigrants, when they need help.
But we don't talk about those issues.
(08:56):
Thanks, JP.
I heard some of the biggest barrierspeople face in their own countries, like
Mexico, one of the barriers is trauma.
There are factors that push peoplefrom their beloved home countries
to places like the United Statesand often is a result of violence.
What you've shared is important forour listeners, to research on how these
(09:17):
agreements, as you mentioned, likeNAFTA, the big corporations coming in
and impacting the local businesses, localfamilies as well and also the challenges
that so many people face with just seekingjustice and getting support, from the
justice system, but also recognizing alot of people don't trust authorities.
I think that's been consistent fordecades and here we are today, Juan Pablo.
(09:41):
Today, immigrant communitiesmore and more these days are
living with that daily fear.
We have ICE raids, family separations,detentions and deportations.
You've been working on the ground,across the state of Illinois.
You've been on the groundacross the state of Florida.
What are you hearing from survivorsin those communities about how this
(10:01):
current political climate, and theICE raids and the family separations,
how is that affecting their sense ofsafety in their ability to seek help?
How do we begin to rebuild trustand spaces where justice has never
felt safe for so many people?
Wow.
I have heard everything, but somethingthat really touched me is that I
was outside of a funeral in Chicago.
(10:25):
Can you imagine not being ableto go to a funeral to give that
final love to your loved ones?
Not being able to go to churchand pray for your family?
This is inhumane, this is insane.
Of course, there is nottrust in the system.
I have noticed that even allthese situations are happening,
(10:47):
people are praying a lot.
When I meet with a survivor for lunch,for a meeting, for a chapter meeting,
I learned how people are praying.
So they see Crime Survivors Speakas a promised land, as an answer.
We have this opportunityto share together.
(11:09):
The conversation is about faith,conviction, public policy, values.
It's about organizing, and it'sabout our values, our conviction,
our faith cannot be deported.
Wow.
Juan Pablo, have chills hearing youshare how people see Crime Survivors
(11:29):
Speak as that promised land, as thatopportunity to connect, and build.
As you just talked about yourfaith, you draw deeply from
faith traditions in your work.
How has faith shaped your understandingof justice, especially for
communities who are criminalized ortargeted simply for who they are?
(11:50):
What a good question.
God is a God of justice.
God is a God of relationship.
And when you have a relationship with God,you will be an instrument for justice.
I liked a phrase that I heard, ifyou want peace, work for justice.
(12:10):
God is a God who always give youpeace, but never leave you in peace.
In other words, God gives you peace,but never let you to stay comfortable.
He always wants you to work for justice.
And you know, the Bibleis full of examples.
'Cause the Bible is not just a book.
(12:30):
It's a manual that isleading you to justice.
Just look Prophet Nehemiah, He's theorganizing expert in chapter five.
Mike Acts 6:6:8.
You know what the Lord requires to dojustice, to be merciful and to be humble.
It doesn't matter what faith you profess,we are called to justice, to shape the
(12:53):
economic, religious, and political system.
And also by faith, I learned whatgot intends for the world, for the
city where you live, but also whatwent wrong and also my role, my
responsibility to respond to make changes.
I love Prophet Nehemiah.
(13:15):
Prophet Nehemiah in chapter fiveis the manual for organizer.
He heard the cry of the people, when thewives were exploited and when the sons
and daughter were sexually exploited.
He organized the people, metwith public officials and said,
we have to change this.
(13:36):
He was extremely upset of thecomplaints, but he organized the
people and he sat down with the publicofficials face to face, and he brought
the changes that we have to make.
And they agreed to do it,and everybody said, Amen.
This is a manual.
We need to hear the pain of thepeople, organize the people,
(13:57):
bring them to public officials.
Bring specific changes thatwill benefit the people.
And we need to engage them to say, Amen.
So my faith plays a significantrole, working for justice.
Thank you, JP and it's my faiththat continued to drive me, to do
the work which isn't easy work,at all, and Juan Pablo, there are
(14:20):
people who are listening that maynot know the power that they have.
I recall you sharing a story,around a waitress and their
interaction with a public officialat a restaurant related to butter.
Would love for you to share thatstory, so people can hear the
power that you actually have.
I can share the story.
(14:41):
It was a banquet.
There were state representativesand senators of the United States.
One of the senators said to thewaitress, Excuse me, waitress,
could I get two bowls of butter?
And the waitress said, No, sir, just one.
The senator said, Do you know who I am?
The waitress said, Yes,I know who you are.
(15:04):
You are a senator of the United States.
I'm asking for two bowls of butter.
The waitress said, Butdo you know who I am?
Of course I know who you are.
You're a waitress.
Yes, I am the waitress, butI am who controls the butter.
So you get only one.
And that's what I tell people.
You know, we control the butters.
(15:25):
We are the people who vote.
We are the people whoelect public officials.
We are controlling thebutter and we shouldn't let
others to control the butter.
We are called to organizeour people and vote.
I'm excited for others, just to hearthat brief story about the power that we
have as voters, as community members, tohold our elected officials accountable.
(15:50):
Through our work over the years, I'veseen you engage with hundreds and
thousands of survivors across the country.
You often talk about survivorsbeing architects of healing.
What does that look like in practiceand how has that role shaped
your leadership in organizing?
Wow, that's a good question.
(16:11):
First of all, to be an architectrequires a lot of skills.
And to heal also.
The role of immigrants, the roleof leaders, the role of survivors,
in the country is very significant.
Immigrants in general would take themost difficult jobs in the country.
(16:34):
For example, agricultural work, extremelylong hours in intense heat, pesticides
exposure, construction, working onthe roofs, heavy physical labor,
housekeeping, landscaping, you know.
Here in Florida, being outsideall day in the heat or raining.
(16:56):
But if you drive around the country,you will see in any market the produce.
You will see the oranges,the tomatoes, the onions.
You will see the buildings,construction, the roofs.
You will see housekeeping, thehotels, the restaurants, landscaping.
You will see factories.
(17:18):
All that was built byarchitects of healing, people
that have been traumatized.
People that we have healed andwe are transforming our reality,
making changes every place we are.
That's what I call architects of healing.
And as an architect, it takes skillsand also healing takes skills as well.
(17:41):
So thank you for sharing, JP.
We gotta patent that phrase,architects of healing, one day.
And JP, your insight, your expertiseand experience, spending decades.
You've worked on organizing andadvocacy campaigns at the neighborhood
level, at the local level, at thestate level, at the national level.
You've been a part of many movements,many grassroots campaigns as well.
(18:04):
I'm curious to hear from you and yourexperience organizing for decades,
what do you see as the biggestdifference between grassroots survivor
organizing and national movementbuilding, and how do those two
organizing spaces strengthen each other?
First of all, this is interestingbecause I remember in the nineties
(18:27):
we used to organize only locally.
In the southwest of Chicago andthen in the north, west, east side.
But then we notice, hold on.
The issues are statewide.
But now I see the main differenceis the issues are nationwide.
Nationwide, and bothcompliment each other.
(18:52):
The local changes are the resultof macro level advocacy and the
macro level changes are becausethe advocacy that we do nationwide.
So we need both.
We need both.
We need to work together becausewhen we organize locally, we
can make an impact nationwide.
(19:12):
Thanks, JP.
For the past few months, you've beendoing a lot of local organizing, right?
In Illinois, and also in Florida,you've been, helping organize survivors
at the local level to join delegationmeetings in their, communities.
Can you tell us about the importanceof survivors engaging in local meetings
with public officials, but also what hasbeen the impact that you've seen from
(19:35):
survivors and also from elected officialsengaging in those local delegation
meetings within their community?
Well, the public hearings is when thepublic officials get together once a
year to listen what matters to people.
So when they see our people talkingabout life issues that matter to
(19:57):
us, they responded and said, wow.
I didn't know that youwere impacted by a crime.
I didn't know you wereimpacted by domestic violence,
by gun violence, by issues.
So that creates an impact locally.
And also it's not just animpact, creates a relationship.
They see you.
When we talk about safety,we need you in our table.
(20:18):
We need to talk to youwhen we talk about safety.
When we talk about solutions, we needto invite survivors to sit down with
us and think together about solutions.
So those listening, it's importantto elevate your voice at the local
level and also at the state capitol.
And just as it's important to elevateyour voice, the importance of building
(20:40):
relationships with elected officialsthat represent and weigh in and make
decisions on the issues that matterto you and your family the most.
Juan Pablo, it's always a pleasurewatching you organize in local
communities and bringing hundredsof survivors to state capitals.
In Florida, you've helped pass majorlegislation in the state over the
(21:03):
years, going back to 2019 where youled the organizing effort to change the
state's victim compensation program.
Back in 2020, when COVID hit, youstarted to help advocate for more funding
for community-based organizations.
Just a few years ago, you led theorganizing effort, organizing parents
(21:24):
who've lost loved ones to homicideand crime victims to help pass
Curtis Law in Florida back in 2023.
You also been playing a crucial role inelevating survivors' voices and passing
criminal justice reform in Florida.
Thank you for your leadership,helping to pass a lot of
bills in the state of Florida.
You've helped to do that work in Florida,you're building such a strong network
(21:47):
in Illinois, continuing to grow ourwork there, and you have continued to
inspire change in other states as well.
For survivors who hear about thepolicy that you've helped pass or want
to get involved in policy changes,for those survivors who have never
stepped a foot in their capitalbuilding before, what helps build
(22:08):
trust between survivors and lawmakerswithin legislative visits, bringing
survivors and elected officials together?
Let me tell you this.
First of all, sharingtheir story helps a lot.
When we passed all thesebills it was impressive.
You know, I remember when I sawpeople coming from all over the state.
(22:28):
One bus, nine hours on the road.
It was extremely impactful.
I knew something big was going to happen.
I remember when we were in therotunda, I imagine the Israelites
marching with energy, happiness fromEgypt towards to the Promised Land.
(22:50):
And I saw the survivors,seeing Tallahassee, the
capital, as the Promised Land.
We are here asking for freedom, askingfor liberation, asking for new policies.
The voice of the survivors, the mosthurt people being elevated in the
(23:11):
Senate and the House at the same time.
It was like a flower that blooms fromthe pain to the action to create a
legacy, to bring an echo of theirpain that remains in the building and
make public policy and make changes.
(23:32):
And also survivors meeting withpublic officials, sharing our stories.
It was beautiful.
The image that I have is CrimeSurvivors Speak is the instrument
for the Promised Land for people.
What is one thing that you're lookingforward to the most next year,
(23:56):
given the political climate thatwe live in, given the impact on
funding, given the funding cuts?
I've been meeting survivorsfrom Homestead, Florida
City, West Palm Beach, Miami.
Belle Glade, Orlando, Jacksonville,Tampa, St. Petersburg,
Naples, all over the state.
All kind of survivors from gun violence,domestic violence, sexual assault.
(24:20):
The common denominator is, I wannaheal, but I don't know where.
So the policy that willmake the difference will
be a trauma recovery center
where people can heal, where people canheal locally, with therapeutic services.
(24:41):
That's what we need.
And we've already established one TRCin Florida and we know we're looking
forward to advocating for more TRCsand bringing more support and services
to communities in Florida, and alsocontinue to expand our trauma recovery
centers in the state of Illinois.
And JP, my last question, Whatwords or advice would you give
(25:01):
to someone that's interested ina career in community organizing?
Just do it.
This is the most beautiful career to makethe difference, to empower people, to make
real changes, to bring real solutions.
If you feel called to do it, just do it.
(25:21):
God is a God of justice and God doesn'thave preferences, but if God would
have preferences, it will be the mostharmed, the most forgotten people.
And we are here to help the most harmedpeople with Crime Survivors Speak.
And when survivors speak.
(25:43):
Change happens.
Change happens, and Juan Pablo,a lot of change has happened
because of your leadership.
You've helped thousands ofpeople all across this country.
Crime Survivors Speak wouldn't be wherewe are today without your leadership,
without your partnership, withoutyour vision, without your expertise,
(26:04):
but most importantly, without theway that you care about people.
And it's been such apleasure working with you.
I'm excited all that we have in store.
So thank you so much, Juan Pablo.
It's always been a pleasuretalking with you, working with you.
Thank you so much for being aguest on today's podcast episode.
(26:25):
If you are listening out there, ifyou want to become a member of Crime
Survivors Speak, you can go to our newwebsite, which is CrimeSurivorsSpeak.org.
Follow us on Facebook,follow us on Instagram.
You also can join a chapter.
If you are interested inorganizing, just do it.
There is a community out there for youand if you have a calling, we welcome you
(26:47):
to help make change in your community.
If you are in Florida,join the Florida chapter.
If you are in Illinois, we havethree chapters across the state.
Juan Pablo leads are organizingwork in Florida, in Illinois.
If you are in other states, please feelfree to join this amazing community of
survivors and leaders across the country.
(27:08):
Remember to stay in tune withall our podcast episodes on
YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify,and other streaming platforms.
I'm excited what we havetogether in store for 2026.
Welcome to Crime Survivor Speak Podcast.
My name is Aswad Thomas.
I'm the National Directorof Crime Survivors Speak.
We are a national network ofover 200,000 crime victims and
survivors from across the country.
I know many of you have, but if youhaven't already, subscribe to stay
up to date on the latest episodes.
(00:21):
You can do that on YouTube, ApplePodcasts, Spotify, and other
streaming platforms, by clicking onthe link in the caption or email.
Today I'm here with another amazingindividual, I'll probably say one of my
favorite human beings, in this world.
Someone who I've got to workwith these past few years.
Someone who I got to organize with andchange lot of laws across this country,
(00:45):
the one and only, Juan Pablo Chavez.
Juan Pablo Chavez is a long timecommunity organizer with more than
two decades of experience buildingpower in Latino and faith communities,
underserved communities, communities ofcolor, and also playing a key role in
uplifting the voices of crime, survivors.
(01:06):
Juan Pablo is currently our CrimeSurvivors Speak Organizing Director.
Leading our work in Florida andnow in Illinois, where he helps to
organize survivors and helps to turntheir stories into collective action.
That includes shaping policiesthat prioritizes healing,
accountability, leadershipdevelopment, and also real safety.
(01:26):
Juan Pablo's work bridges faith,culture and community power.
Today, he joins us to talk aboutwhat it means for survivors
to lead a movement for change.
Juan Pablo, welcome to theCrime Survivors Speak podcast.
How are you doing today?
I'm doing great.
Thank you for this amazing invitation.
Awesome.
Awesome.
(01:47):
Juan Pablo, over the years, I'veheard you often say, as survivors,
we are called to this work.
When did you first feel that callingto advocacy and what did it mean to
recognize yourself as a survivor?
What a great question.
LA California.
I remember, I was 16 years old, makinga phone call to my mom, from a public
(02:12):
phone when I felt a gun in my back.
So when I woke up, I was bleeding.
And, a few days later, I got a callfrom a detective asking if I was
willing to identify the suspects.
Every interaction was moretraumatic than helpful.
(02:33):
No one asked me, are you okay?
How can we help you?
Do you feel safe?
Years later, I moved to Chicagoand became a victim again.
I remember one day in my church.
And we were reflecting,you know, that God saves.
And I said, yeah, I know God saves, butI don't feel safe in my neighborhood.
(02:56):
I don't feel safe in the streets.
Can we talk about saved versus safe?
And I felt called to do somethingwithin my church, and that's when
I realized that I was a survivor.
That's when I realized that something washappening and I felt called to advocacy.
(03:17):
I felt called to bring realsolutions, especially when
I met Crime Survivors Speak.
I said, wow, this isthe right organization.
This is the rightinstrument to make a change.
There is no support for survivors.
So,
after the realization that therewas no representation for the most
(03:40):
vulnerable, the most forgotten people.
I said, this is the time.
This is the instrument.
And as a survivor, I was thinkingwhy we don't organize to empower
ourselves to share our stories.
In elevating our voices, we'llmake public policy change.
(04:02):
Thank you for sharing that, Juan Pablo.
Take us back, walk us through yourfirst organizing in Chicago, in your
early days of organizing decades ago?
Well, it was in 1998, I was in Chicago andI was in this conversation with a pastor.
talking about, saved versus safe.
(04:23):
And I said, we don'tfeel safe in the streets.
And he said, well, there is a group ofpeople that are trying to do something.
So he introduced me with Ceasefire and Icame to a meeting and they invited me to
work with them to be in the streets, tocoordinate a ceasefire in the south side.
To respond to when a shooting happen,to help people to do a prayer vigil,
(04:47):
to organize the streets, to invitethe community to do something.
Wow.
So you've been organizing since 1998starting in the local community,
helping survivors, helping familiesand communities host prayer
vigils, and also providing themopportunity to get involved, to do
something in their neighborhood.
(05:08):
Through your work, you've spent more thantwo decades organizing in communities and
Latino communities as well, which oftenface barriers most people, never see,
from language access, to thefear of interacting with systems.
I'm curious, JP.
How do these realities shapethe way survivors experience
(05:29):
trauma and seek justice?
And what can Latino and immigrantcommunities teach us about how to
get creative in our organizing?
Yes.
Let me start with barriersmost people never see.
One of the biggest barriers is the trauma,especially the trauma that immigrants
experience when they immigrate to USA, andthat's something that people don't see.
(05:53):
Okay?
The other thing is, immigrants don't puttheir lives at risk for trivial reasons.
Can you imagine crossing the borders forthree to 10 days, walking under extreme
weather conditions, swimming acrossrivers, walking for up to 30 days in
the desert, surviving human trafficking.
(06:14):
They don't do all this tocome and meet Mickey Mouse.
No, no, no, no, no.
There is push and pull factors thatpush immigrants to leave the countries
and factors that pull them also.
So let me tell you this, I've beendoing trainings and talking with a
lot of people, but 90% of a typicalAmerican don't know who is their local,
(06:41):
county, and state representative.
They don't know.
They don't know who's theircity elected officials.
They don't know the county commissioners.
They don't know their senators.
So if they don't know who is thelocal public officials, they don't
understand the international laws andagreements that push and pull immigrants.
(07:03):
Just to give you a few examples,NAFTA, CAFTA, TLC USMCA which is the
North American Free Trade Agreementthat was signed in 1994, in 2020.
Those agreements basically pullimmigrants to this country.
And that's a trauma.
Let me give you one example, okay?
NAFTA, okay, NAFTA, it was an agreementthat subsidized corn in USA, so
(07:31):
when the corn was subsidized, forexample, in Oaxaca, Mexico, okay?
They opened a big company of corn.
So all the small businesses had to close.
They couldn't compete with pricesthat were half prices of the
Mexican prices, compared with USA.
(07:52):
So what happened with that situation,a family who own a shop, they close
because a large company can produce morethan them and can distribute nationwide.
So what happened withthose 2000 farm workers?
They had to immigrate to USA.
That's one of the challenges, oneof the things that are not seen.
Okay.
(08:13):
Another one is that immigrantsface multiple challenges,
trauma and also seeking justice.
They don't trust authorities becauseimmigrants have been deported
because they work with no documents.
That's sad, but we never talk aboutdeporting corporations who hired them.
(08:34):
We never talk about the companies.
There is a big need of labor, butthe companies look for cheap labor.
And we don't talk about punishing them.
We don't talk about deporting them.
Who gets the trauma?
The immigrants, when they need help.
But we don't talk about those issues.
(08:56):
Thanks, JP.
I heard some of the biggest barrierspeople face in their own countries, like
Mexico, one of the barriers is trauma.
There are factors that push peoplefrom their beloved home countries
to places like the United Statesand often is a result of violence.
What you've shared is important forour listeners, to research on how these
(09:17):
agreements, as you mentioned, likeNAFTA, the big corporations coming in
and impacting the local businesses, localfamilies as well and also the challenges
that so many people face with just seekingjustice and getting support, from the
justice system, but also recognizing alot of people don't trust authorities.
I think that's been consistent fordecades and here we are today, Juan Pablo.
(09:41):
Today, immigrant communitiesmore and more these days are
living with that daily fear.
We have ICE raids, family separations,detentions and deportations.
You've been working on the ground,across the state of Illinois.
You've been on the groundacross the state of Florida.
What are you hearing from survivorsin those communities about how this
(10:01):
current political climate, and theICE raids and the family separations,
how is that affecting their sense ofsafety in their ability to seek help?
How do we begin to rebuild trustand spaces where justice has never
felt safe for so many people?
Wow.
I have heard everything, but somethingthat really touched me is that I
was outside of a funeral in Chicago.
(10:25):
Can you imagine not being ableto go to a funeral to give that
final love to your loved ones?
Not being able to go to churchand pray for your family?
This is inhumane, this is insane.
Of course, there is nottrust in the system.
I have noticed that even allthese situations are happening,
(10:47):
people are praying a lot.
When I meet with a survivor for lunch,for a meeting, for a chapter meeting,
I learned how people are praying.
So they see Crime Survivors Speakas a promised land, as an answer.
We have this opportunityto share together.
(11:09):
The conversation is about faith,conviction, public policy, values.
It's about organizing, and it'sabout our values, our conviction,
our faith cannot be deported.
Wow.
Juan Pablo, have chills hearing youshare how people see Crime Survivors
(11:29):
Speak as that promised land, as thatopportunity to connect, and build.
As you just talked about yourfaith, you draw deeply from
faith traditions in your work.
How has faith shaped your understandingof justice, especially for
communities who are criminalized ortargeted simply for who they are?
(11:50):
What a good question.
God is a God of justice.
God is a God of relationship.
And when you have a relationship with God,you will be an instrument for justice.
I liked a phrase that I heard, ifyou want peace, work for justice.
(12:10):
God is a God who always give youpeace, but never leave you in peace.
In other words, God gives you peace,but never let you to stay comfortable.
He always wants you to work for justice.
And you know, the Bibleis full of examples.
'Cause the Bible is not just a book.
(12:30):
It's a manual that isleading you to justice.
Just look Prophet Nehemiah, He's theorganizing expert in chapter five.
Mike Acts 6:6:8.
You know what the Lord requires to dojustice, to be merciful and to be humble.
It doesn't matter what faith you profess,we are called to justice, to shape the
(12:53):
economic, religious, and political system.
And also by faith, I learned whatgot intends for the world, for the
city where you live, but also whatwent wrong and also my role, my
responsibility to respond to make changes.
I love Prophet Nehemiah.
(13:15):
Prophet Nehemiah in chapter fiveis the manual for organizer.
He heard the cry of the people, when thewives were exploited and when the sons
and daughter were sexually exploited.
He organized the people, metwith public officials and said,
we have to change this.
(13:36):
He was extremely upset of thecomplaints, but he organized the
people and he sat down with the publicofficials face to face, and he brought
the changes that we have to make.
And they agreed to do it,and everybody said, Amen.
This is a manual.
We need to hear the pain of thepeople, organize the people,
(13:57):
bring them to public officials.
Bring specific changes thatwill benefit the people.
And we need to engage them to say, Amen.
So my faith plays a significantrole, working for justice.
Thank you, JP and it's my faiththat continued to drive me, to do
the work which isn't easy work,at all, and Juan Pablo, there are
(14:20):
people who are listening that maynot know the power that they have.
I recall you sharing a story,around a waitress and their
interaction with a public officialat a restaurant related to butter.
Would love for you to share thatstory, so people can hear the
power that you actually have.
I can share the story.
(14:41):
It was a banquet.
There were state representativesand senators of the United States.
One of the senators said to thewaitress, Excuse me, waitress,
could I get two bowls of butter?
And the waitress said, No, sir, just one.
The senator said, Do you know who I am?
The waitress said, Yes,I know who you are.
(15:04):
You are a senator of the United States.
I'm asking for two bowls of butter.
The waitress said, Butdo you know who I am?
Of course I know who you are.
You're a waitress.
Yes, I am the waitress, butI am who controls the butter.
So you get only one.
And that's what I tell people.
You know, we control the butters.
(15:25):
We are the people who vote.
We are the people whoelect public officials.
We are controlling thebutter and we shouldn't let
others to control the butter.
We are called to organizeour people and vote.
I'm excited for others, just to hearthat brief story about the power that we
have as voters, as community members, tohold our elected officials accountable.
(15:50):
Through our work over the years, I'veseen you engage with hundreds and
thousands of survivors across the country.
You often talk about survivorsbeing architects of healing.
What does that look like in practiceand how has that role shaped
your leadership in organizing?
Wow, that's a good question.
(16:11):
First of all, to be an architectrequires a lot of skills.
And to heal also.
The role of immigrants, the roleof leaders, the role of survivors,
in the country is very significant.
Immigrants in general would take themost difficult jobs in the country.
(16:34):
For example, agricultural work, extremelylong hours in intense heat, pesticides
exposure, construction, working onthe roofs, heavy physical labor,
housekeeping, landscaping, you know.
Here in Florida, being outsideall day in the heat or raining.
(16:56):
But if you drive around the country,you will see in any market the produce.
You will see the oranges,the tomatoes, the onions.
You will see the buildings,construction, the roofs.
You will see housekeeping, thehotels, the restaurants, landscaping.
You will see factories.
(17:18):
All that was built byarchitects of healing, people
that have been traumatized.
People that we have healed andwe are transforming our reality,
making changes every place we are.
That's what I call architects of healing.
And as an architect, it takes skillsand also healing takes skills as well.
(17:41):
So thank you for sharing, JP.
We gotta patent that phrase,architects of healing, one day.
And JP, your insight, your expertiseand experience, spending decades.
You've worked on organizing andadvocacy campaigns at the neighborhood
level, at the local level, at thestate level, at the national level.
You've been a part of many movements,many grassroots campaigns as well.
(18:04):
I'm curious to hear from you and yourexperience organizing for decades,
what do you see as the biggestdifference between grassroots survivor
organizing and national movementbuilding, and how do those two
organizing spaces strengthen each other?
First of all, this is interestingbecause I remember in the nineties
(18:27):
we used to organize only locally.
In the southwest of Chicago andthen in the north, west, east side.
But then we notice, hold on.
The issues are statewide.
But now I see the main differenceis the issues are nationwide.
Nationwide, and bothcompliment each other.
(18:52):
The local changes are the resultof macro level advocacy and the
macro level changes are becausethe advocacy that we do nationwide.
So we need both.
We need both.
We need to work together becausewhen we organize locally, we
can make an impact nationwide.
(19:12):
Thanks, JP.
For the past few months, you've beendoing a lot of local organizing, right?
In Illinois, and also in Florida,you've been, helping organize survivors
at the local level to join delegationmeetings in their, communities.
Can you tell us about the importanceof survivors engaging in local meetings
with public officials, but also what hasbeen the impact that you've seen from
(19:35):
survivors and also from elected officialsengaging in those local delegation
meetings within their community?
Well, the public hearings is when thepublic officials get together once a
year to listen what matters to people.
So when they see our people talkingabout life issues that matter to
(19:57):
us, they responded and said, wow.
I didn't know that youwere impacted by a crime.
I didn't know you wereimpacted by domestic violence,
by gun violence, by issues.
So that creates an impact locally.
And also it's not just animpact, creates a relationship.
They see you.
When we talk about safety,we need you in our table.
(20:18):
We need to talk to youwhen we talk about safety.
When we talk about solutions, we needto invite survivors to sit down with
us and think together about solutions.
So those listening, it's importantto elevate your voice at the local
level and also at the state capitol.
And just as it's important to elevateyour voice, the importance of building
(20:40):
relationships with elected officialsthat represent and weigh in and make
decisions on the issues that matterto you and your family the most.
Juan Pablo, it's always a pleasurewatching you organize in local
communities and bringing hundredsof survivors to state capitals.
In Florida, you've helped pass majorlegislation in the state over the
(21:03):
years, going back to 2019 where youled the organizing effort to change the
state's victim compensation program.
Back in 2020, when COVID hit, youstarted to help advocate for more funding
for community-based organizations.
Just a few years ago, you led theorganizing effort, organizing parents
(21:24):
who've lost loved ones to homicideand crime victims to help pass
Curtis Law in Florida back in 2023.
You also been playing a crucial role inelevating survivors' voices and passing
criminal justice reform in Florida.
Thank you for your leadership,helping to pass a lot of
bills in the state of Florida.
You've helped to do that work in Florida,you're building such a strong network
(21:47):
in Illinois, continuing to grow ourwork there, and you have continued to
inspire change in other states as well.
For survivors who hear about thepolicy that you've helped pass or want
to get involved in policy changes,for those survivors who have never
stepped a foot in their capitalbuilding before, what helps build
(22:08):
trust between survivors and lawmakerswithin legislative visits, bringing
survivors and elected officials together?
Let me tell you this.
First of all, sharingtheir story helps a lot.
When we passed all thesebills it was impressive.
You know, I remember when I sawpeople coming from all over the state.
(22:28):
One bus, nine hours on the road.
It was extremely impactful.
I knew something big was going to happen.
I remember when we were in therotunda, I imagine the Israelites
marching with energy, happiness fromEgypt towards to the Promised Land.
(22:50):
And I saw the survivors,seeing Tallahassee, the
capital, as the Promised Land.
We are here asking for freedom, askingfor liberation, asking for new policies.
The voice of the survivors, the mosthurt people being elevated in the
(23:11):
Senate and the House at the same time.
It was like a flower that blooms fromthe pain to the action to create a
legacy, to bring an echo of theirpain that remains in the building and
make public policy and make changes.
(23:32):
And also survivors meeting withpublic officials, sharing our stories.
It was beautiful.
The image that I have is CrimeSurvivors Speak is the instrument
for the Promised Land for people.
What is one thing that you're lookingforward to the most next year,
(23:56):
given the political climate thatwe live in, given the impact on
funding, given the funding cuts?
I've been meeting survivorsfrom Homestead, Florida
City, West Palm Beach, Miami.
Belle Glade, Orlando, Jacksonville,Tampa, St. Petersburg,
Naples, all over the state.
All kind of survivors from gun violence,domestic violence, sexual assault.
(24:20):
The common denominator is, I wannaheal, but I don't know where.
So the policy that willmake the difference will
be a trauma recovery center
where people can heal, where people canheal locally, with therapeutic services.
(24:41):
That's what we need.
And we've already established one TRCin Florida and we know we're looking
forward to advocating for more TRCsand bringing more support and services
to communities in Florida, and alsocontinue to expand our trauma recovery
centers in the state of Illinois.
And JP, my last question, Whatwords or advice would you give
(25:01):
to someone that's interested ina career in community organizing?
Just do it.
This is the most beautiful career to makethe difference, to empower people, to make
real changes, to bring real solutions.
If you feel called to do it, just do it.
(25:21):
God is a God of justice and God doesn'thave preferences, but if God would
have preferences, it will be the mostharmed, the most forgotten people.
And we are here to help the most harmedpeople with Crime Survivors Speak.
And when survivors speak.
(25:43):
Change happens.
Change happens, and Juan Pablo,a lot of change has happened
because of your leadership.
You've helped thousands ofpeople all across this country.
Crime Survivors Speak wouldn't be wherewe are today without your leadership,
without your partnership, withoutyour vision, without your expertise,
(26:04):
but most importantly, without theway that you care about people.
And it's been such apleasure working with you.
I'm excited all that we have in store.
So thank you so much, Juan Pablo.
It's always been a pleasuretalking with you, working with you.
Thank you so much for being aguest on today's podcast episode.
(26:25):
If you are listening out there, ifyou want to become a member of Crime
Survivors Speak, you can go to our newwebsite, which is CrimeSurivorsSpeak.org.
Follow us on Facebook,follow us on Instagram.
You also can join a chapter.
If you are interested inorganizing, just do it.
There is a community out there for youand if you have a calling, we welcome you
(26:47):
to help make change in your community.
If you are in Florida,join the Florida chapter.
If you are in Illinois, we havethree chapters across the state.
Juan Pablo leads are organizingwork in Florida, in Illinois.
If you are in other states, please feelfree to join this amazing community of
survivors and leaders across the country.
(27:08):
Remember to stay in tune withall our podcast episodes on
YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify,and other streaming platforms.
I'm excited what we havetogether in store for 2026.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Hey Jonas!
Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.