Panel Track: NeONS and the Evolution of Credible Messengers at the New York City Department of Probation

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Darren Collins currently works for the NYC Department of Probation as a mentor coordinator, fostering positive change in the lives of people who are currently on supervision. Darren has assisted youth and young adults in the criminal justice system, working with them in providing assistance in navigating through the court system and probation as a Mentor for Arches. In addition to working as a mentor coordinator Darren has worked in the Substance Field as a Peer Advocate for many years where he was able to use his lived experience’s to support other’s personal development.

Marlita Dalton received her degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Central State University, an Historical Black College/University (HBCU) and is currently the new City-Wide NeON Director for NYC Department of Probation. Her professional interests have always focused on serving others in a capacity to further their goals and aspirations. Marlita’s new role allots her the same opportunity on a much broader scale. Marlita has been with the NYC Department of Probation for the past 25 years in several different capacities, Branch Chief, Executive Assistant to the Assistant Commissioner Supervising Probation Officer and Probation Officer. Since the onset of NeON she has been involved irrespective of the title. Marlita was born and raised the small town of Wintersville Ohio. The only child of Martin and Dorothy Dalton she was shown that nothing came without working for it. She was also given many opportunities and privileges that other children did not have. So early in life, through her parents, she learned that to whom much is give much is required. Her parents modeled and gave a blue print of the responsibility of supporting others. They instilled in her that seeing others triumph, regardless of the challenges they may have faced, is the only reward you should seek for any good deed. Marlita also has 3 children Malik, Anisa, and Chad that keep her very busy. She has foster so many more that she remains close to for now over 20 plus years. They are her family as well. She is in leadership of a long-standing Church and lends her expertise to community programming and community development companies. Marlita Dalton in this new role will be responsible for the over all

Sharun Goodwin is the Deputy Commissioner, Adult Services for the New York City Department of Probation (DOP)and has earned a reputation for her principled leadership, creative criminal justice reform strategies, and re-engineering evidence-based policy and practice. Under Sharun’s leadership, Adult Operations developed innovative initiatives, including the new ACE 2.0 model, “Anyone Can Excel,” and implemented programs and initiatives that support the needs of diverse communities and drive positive social change, including a series of gun violence awareness strategies, and the Arches Transformative Mentoring Programs. Arches tailors the curriculum to align with participant experiences, providing more mentor training, offering opportunities for full-time employment, and expanding the program's length, alumni engagement, and age range. Prior to her appointment as Deputy Commissioner, Sharun was the Assistant Commissioner for Citywide Community Engagement for DOP. She significantly increased community involvement fostered collaborations between City agencies, local businesses, and service organizations. Previously Goodwin served as the Assistant Commissioner for Bronx Adults Services and piloted then established a nationally recognized full-spectrum service center integrating the probation, City, and community resources in one location, creating a revolutionary model for Neighborhood Opportunity Networks (NeON) in the South Bronx. Sharun expanded significant programmatic innovation broadened the services of the Neighborhood Opportunity Network (NeON) community-based office. NeONs are in seven neighborhoods home to large numbers of adults, young adults, and juveniles on probation; Jamaica, Northern Staten Island, South Bronx, Harlem, Brownsville, Bedford Stuyvesant, and East New York. DOP partnered with Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute to integrate arts into the seven NeON's. The project empowers local stakeholder groups to choose art projects for their communities, engaging those on probation and neighbors in strengths-based activities supporting educational outcomes and connecting to employment opportunities. The NeON model has caught the attention of probation and court officials from around the country. Sharun began her career in 1987 as a Probation Officer Trainee and later served in a host of positions with the Department, including

Abdul Malik is currently working as the C.B.I. Director in the N.Y.C. Dept. of Probation in charge of implementing mentor initiative citywide. Abdul is a recognized, credible messenger for youth and young adults in the criminal justice system, working with them in assisting them in navigating through the court system and probation. In addition, to working as the C.B.I. Director, he is also the Executive Director of Families United for Social and Educational Development F.U.S.E.D. a strength- based, culturally competent intervention organization that provides constructive alternatives for both court-involved youth and community youth. F.U.S.E.D. uses cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and engagement in positive peer culture that stresses personal development leading to a restoration of hope, confidence, and direction.

Formerly incarcerated individual, current college student who is seeking to better understand and foster possibilities through social change. I am devoted to improving the quality of life for others with lived experience within the justice impacted community. I have over 14 years’ experience teaching cognitive behavior within institutions to help change the learned behavior within the disenfranchised communities that we come from to help make a brighter future.

Paul Richards, New York City Dept of Probation, Director of Arches/Next STEPS Mentoring and Works Plus Programs, manages 60 program site locations citywide. He has more than 29 years of DOP experience in multiple divisions, and a B.S. from North Carolina A&T State University.

Tanyetta Scott currently serves as a mentor coordinator with the Department of Probation. Tanyetta formerly worked at Phipps Neighborhoods Arches Transformative Mentoring Program and after 5 years, was being promoted to mentor/case manager at one of Phipps Neighborhood shelters where she was employed for 2 years until coming to probation. Tanyetta obtained her Case Aide, CASAC-T and Recovery Life Coach Certification from The Resource Training Center. She continued to take courses in Anger Management and Peer Educating at VIP Services. Tanyetta has obtained several other certifications and certificates from the National Development Research Institutes (NDRI) and Community Connections for Youth (CCFY). CMJC and ITM. Her passion for helping people developed from her life experiences, having witnessed the tragic loss of so many lives to gang violence, drugs and the criminal justice system.

As the Program Coordinator for the Credible Messenger Justice Center (CMJC), Julman Arevalo Tolentino works to provide trainings, services, and other resources for local Credible Messenger mentors and to support the development of Credible Messenger program initiatives in various jurisdictions throughout the country. Prior to this position, Julman was an advisor and program coordinator at CUNY’s School of Labor and Urban Studies (SLU) where he assisted Credible Messengers in earning college credits through the school’s Community Leadership certificate program. He is also a professor at Columbia’s School of Social Work where he teaches foundation courses to students in the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. As a MSW graduate himself, Julman began his social (justice) work as an organizer in the Filipino community and as a founder and director of a Filipino youth development organization. With extensive experience in curriculum development and program design, Julman continues to administer and facilitate social justice workshops, anti-oppression trainings, group discussions and retreats for students, educators, and social service providers.