Social Justice Reform Advocate
A dedicated community servant, Jonathan is a Social Justice Reform Advocate in the City of Yonkers. He’s a 32-year-old life-long Yonkers resident who promotes the philosophy that ‘change agents change narratives.’ After serving a thirteen year prison term, he returned home with a mission to give back to the same community he once negatively impacted. He is motivated by his transformative experiences within the criminal justice system. He went to prison at 17, with a tenth-grade education. During his incarceration, he acquired a GED and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies from the Bard Prison Initiative program. His educational journey and personal metamorphosis continue to motivate him to make productive contributions to society.
Today, Alvarez works to abolish systemic racism by passionately advocating for criminal justice reform. As a member of My Brother’s Keeper, he serves as a mentor and staff committee member, touring public schools to educate young men of color on the urban experience in contemporary America. Inspired to reach at-risk adolescents in the community, he co-founded and directs a youth mentorship organization called 914UNITED Inc. He currently facilitates his mentorship services in the Westchester County Department of Corrections (WDCOC). Valued as a “credible messenger” and Academic Outreach Coordinator in the Youth Offender Program, he provides counseling and educational support to 15 participants from the ages of 18 to 25. Finally, Jonathan is also a case manager for the Yonkers SNUG project, working to reduce gun violence by mediating conflicts and rendering social services to individuals who are at a high-risk of engaging in criminal activities.