Rachel Garcia Brothers

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Juvenile Justice Spotlight

Rachel Garcia Brothers

Consultant

Agency: National Partnership for Juvenile Services

Office Location: Brooklyn, New York

1. Why Juvenile Justice?

“Growing up, I was fortunate to live in an environment full of support, encouragement, and guidance.

I had the blessing of raising my brother. I had a front row to his teenage years and the dilemmas he faced as he decided who he wanted to be amongst his peers. I saw too many of his childhood friends drift apart and end in unfortunate situations.

Every day I ask myself what would be of those kids had they had the father to give them words of wisdom or that mother who would ask them what was wrong, or that sister or brother to tell them been there, done that, learn from my mistakes.

In these facilities, I see in each kid an opportunity that was once missed – but I want them to learn that their past does not have to define them, they can learn and grow from it.”

2. What about your job excites and invigorates you?

“Every part of it. I’m just grateful for the opportunity to be involved in something bigger than I am. To be able to witness a change, in its many changes.”

3. With your work as a consultant with NPJS, what exciting changes do you see happening?

“I see receptiveness. I see the facilities being more open-minded to learning from other facilities. They’re more open to learning about what works, how to improve things, and allowing opportunity for change.”

4. Who were your mentor(s) in the field? What is something that they taught you?

“There have been many. When I was in my early twenties, I worked in a Behavioral Health Department when a spot opened in the Forensic Department (Offender Reentry Unit). I was immediately interested and requested a transfer. My only knowledge of the criminal justice world at that time was one semester of Intro to Criminal Justice. Nonetheless, the department head gave me a shot. She invested in me and exposed me to a career path that I knew was for me.

I remember making some mistakes along the way, but also remember her words to make each experience (good or bad) a learning experience instead that I could grow from.”

5. So, I’ve decided I’d like to make it my life’s work to impact today’s youth. What advice would you give somebody just starting out?

“I would remind them that change takes time just as we are still changing. I’d share with them my favorite quote: ‘We have a tendency to expect others to be a finished product while we give ourselves the grace to evolve.’

Therefore, don’t become disheartened if change doesn’t happen quickly. Keep giving it all, you never know who you’re making a difference for.”

6. I'm sure you've had many memorable experiences, but is there one that stands out as your most memorable?

“I remember pulling a staff in for a check-in after noticing some concerns. The staff shared that they felt they had outgrown their position and felt they needed to move on. We established goals and steps necessary to reach a promotion to management, even though they confided that they did think they had a shot.

We met every week for supervision and had some ‘hard talks’ of some much-needed changes. Throughout the next weeks, this staff showed significant improvement, but I was saddened when I found myself with a job offer that would require my resignation.

Not too long after I was established in my new role, I received a card from that individual, thanking me for the support and seeing their potential when they couldn’t, the card was signed under a Supervisory title.”

7. What words of wisdom do you find yourself consistently giving to those you work with in the JJ system?

“Don’t take things personally. Everyone is dealing with their own struggles and change takes time. Don’t be so quick to give up if you don’t see the changes you want to see – the road to change can take many turns.”

8. As a consultant, how can the current state of Juvenile Justice improve?

“We need more groundwork in the community. Many facilities are overcrowded; we need to take more preventative measures to help reduce the number of youths who become legally involved.”