Terah Lawyer
Program Manager
Impact Justice
Oakland, CA USA
“My education has been the one thing that no one can ever take away from me. It is priceless.”
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
In 2008, I became a certified peer health educator and began educating the prison population on healthy practices and communicable diseases and fell in love with connecting with the community.
In 2010, I achieved my first associate’s degree in Social and Behavior Science through Feather River College.
I was elected as the Chairperson for an inmate-led organization called the Beyond Incarceration Program in 2011. I had the pleasure of leading a team of 24 members to conduct prison outreach efforts.
In 2012, with the support of my mother, I started a business called Criminal Offender Reform Establishment (C.O.R.E.), which provides correspondent educational materials to incarcerated students.
In 2013, I created the Bully-Awareness Workshop and organized a team of incredible leaders to present the curriculum and combat the bully problem that exists in the prison population.
In 2015, I developed a program called Offender Responsibility, an eight-week intense course to educate others on Victim Impact Awareness, Accountability, and Making living amends.
In 2016, I earned a second associate's degree in business from Coastline College. In 2017, I became a certified drug and alcohol counselor. Upon my release in 2017, I continue to serve my community
In 2018, I began working with Impact Justice as the Program Manager for an innovative program called the Homecoming Project. I sit on the board of two organization and am a full-time student at SFSU.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
James Logan High
James Logan High
Certification/License
Drug/Alcohol Certification
California Association for Drug/Alcohol Educators
Drug/Alcohol Certification
California Association for Drug/Alcohol Educators
Bachelor
Social/Behavioral Science
Feather River College
Social/Behavioral Science
Feather River College
Career
Program Manager
I developed and launched a shared-housing model that houses formerly incarcerated individuals in community hosts' homes.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Non-Profit Organizations
Law
Helping People
Day to Day
I manage a program called the Homecoming Project. I oversee the activities of placing individuals coming home from prison into community host homes. I screen, match, and place participants while adding supportive services to their 6 months in the program to ensure a transitional success. I get to work with stakeholders, community leaders, social justice organizations and other service providers to make sure the program, hosts and participants are thriving.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for college students
Networking with the individuals you admire. Seeking professional advice from them while sharing your goals. Shaping your dream into a presentation style can inspire others to be involved and hopefully mentor the path you want to take. This is a great way to be introduced to your passionate work!
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Certification/License
Drug/Alcohol Certification
Drug/Alcohol Certification
Bachelor
Social/Behavioral Science
Social/Behavioral Science
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"Having a criminal record will prevent you from advancing in your career pathway. With a criminal record, you will only be able to secure employment in entry level jobs."
Challenges I Overcame
LGBT
