Rafael F. Tapia Jr.
Partnership with Native Americans
Phoenix, AZ USA
"Through helping others, I help myself."
Career Roadmap
Rafael F.'s work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Government, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
After my experience with incarceration and being given an opportunity to get out of prison, go to treatment, and get better, I decided to change my mindset and lifestyle. When I went back into my community, a lot of my former connections called me soft because I didn't want to have a hustle selling drugs anymore. I knew there was a better way of life than what I had been doing and I didn't want to be pulled back into it. Instead, I dedicated my life to public service and helping others.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Business, General
University of Phoenix
Certification
Economic Development
University of Oklahoma
Graduate Degree
Business, General
University of Arizona - Eller College of Management
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
I grew up around family members that were immersed in the drug trade—I started helping out with the business as a child.
2.
I had spent time in the juvenile justice system as a kid.
3.
When I was 19 years old, I was facing 25 years to life for bank robbery—I knew there had to be a better way of life, but I felt stuck in this lifestyle.
4.
I qualified for a Youth Offender Parole Hearing and was ultimately able to go to an inpatient treatment facility rather than stay in prison.
5.
I changed my mindset and my lifestyle, built a support system, and navigated reentry.
6.
I’ve since dedicated my life to public service and helping others.
7.
I currently work as the vice president of programs for Partnership with Native Americans, which provides resources to improve the quality of life for Native Americans.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Peers:
What's your hustle? You see the light now? You've gotten soft.
How I responded:
After my experience with incarceration and being given an opportunity to get out of prison, go to treatment, and get better, I decided to change my mindset and lifestyle. When I went back into my community, a lot of my former connections called me soft because I didn't want to have a hustle selling drugs anymore. I knew there was a better way of life than what I had been doing and I didn't want to be pulled back into it. Instead, I dedicated my life to public service and helping others.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I come from a family of men who died young. I grew up thinking that men just weren't meant to live long.
I grew up in a family immersed in drug trade. As a teenager, I struggled with an addiction to heroin. After qualifying for a Youth Offender Parole Hearing in prison, I was able to go to a treatment facility to get help rather than stay in prison.
I was facing a charge of 25 to life at 19 years old. In prison, I knew so many people that I actually felt comfortable. I knew that was a problem. I decided then that if I had a chance to get out and turn things around, I would commit to doing so.