Who We Are
Our Mission:
Our mission is to uplift veterans, active duty service members, and reservists facing challenges with arrests, incarceration, mental health, and addiction. We provide essential guidance, resources, and advocacy to navigate the complexities of the criminal justice system and foster mental well-being and recovery. We are dedicated to showing that through support and resilience, every service member has the strength to overcome obstacles and build a hopeful, positive future.
Our Vision:
VetPhoenix was established by a group of veterans who are not only professionally trained as social workers and social scientists but have also lived through the very challenges they now dedicate themselves to resolving. Each founder is akin to a phoenix that has risen from the ashes, having personally navigated the difficult paths of incarceration, addiction, and mental health struggles. This unique blend of personal triumph and professional expertise is the bedrock of our organization.
Our Values
Empowerment:
We Believe Everyone Has The Strength To Overcome Challenges And Achieve Their Goals. We Empower Veterans By Providing Them With The Resources, Knowledge, And Support They Need To Thrive.
Compassion:
We Understand The Unique Challenges Veterans Face And Approach Them With Empathy And Understanding. We Are Here To Listen, Support, And Guide Veterans On Their Journey To Success.
Integrity:
We Hold Ourselves To The Highest Ethical Standards. Honesty, Transparency, And Accountability Are Cornerstones Of Our Organization.
Respect:
We Value The Service And Sacrifice Of All Veterans. We Treat Everyone With Dignity And Respect, Fostering A Community Of Trust And Support.
Meet Our Team
Justin McEwen
Board Member
Yvonne Moreno
Board Member
Adam Castillo
Board Member
Liz Rios
Board Member
Justin McEwen
Board Member
Justin Is A Retired Master Sergeant Who Served In The Marine Corps From 1994 To 2014 With (2) Combat Tours To Iraq And (1) Afghanistan. Serving In Several Critical Leadership Billets/duties, Such As A Drill Instructor, Chief Instructor, And Battalion Field Artillery Chief, Led Adam To Believe That He Would Find Purposeful Work In The Civilian Workforce.
However, His Esteemed Resume Would Only Land Him A Full-time Position As An Uber Driver And One Of The Most Challenging Times Of His Life. These Difficult Times Led Adam Into The Work He Does Today As A Psychiatric Social Worker Ii For The Los Angeles Department Of Mental Health.
Adam Is A Team Member Of The Veteran Peer Access Network (Vpan), Which Focuses On Meeting The Needs Of Veterans Experiencing Mental Health Challenges, Homelessness, Education, Disability Benefits, Emergency Housing Assistance, Crisis Intervention, Legal Issues, And More.
The Peer Network Is Designed To Empower Veterans And Family Members On How To Navigate The Systems In Place Or Restore Hope With The Systems In Place By Walking Shoulder To Shoulder In Navigating The Process And Advocating When Necessary. Adam Castillo Is A Licensed Clinical Social Worker In California Specializing In Trauma And Ptsd, Anxiety, Depression, Veteran Transition, Learning Disabilities, De-escalation, Prevention, Intervention, Behavioral Health, Motivational Interviewing, Crisis Intervention, Social Work, And Mental Health Counseling.
He Holds A Bachelor Of Sociology From California State University – Dominguez Hills, A Masters Of Social Work From The University Of Southern California, And A Veteran Peer Support Certificate From Depression And Bipolar Support Alliance (Dbsa).
Adam Castillo
Board Member
Adam Is A Retired Master Sergeant Who Served In The Marine Corps From 1994 To 2014 With (2) Combat Tours To Iraq And (1) Afghanistan. Serving In Several Critical Leadership Billets/duties, Such As A Drill Instructor, Chief Instructor, And Battalion Field Artillery Chief, Led Adam To Believe That He Would Find Purposeful Work In The Civilian Workforce.
However, His Esteemed Resume Would Only Land Him A Full-time Position As An Uber Driver And One Of The Most Challenging Times Of His Life. These Difficult Times Led Adam Into The Work He Does Today As A Psychiatric Social Worker Ii For The Los Angeles Department Of Mental Health.
Adam Is A Team Member Of The Veteran Peer Access Network (Vpan), Which Focuses On Meeting The Needs Of Veterans Experiencing Mental Health Challenges, Homelessness, Education, Disability Benefits, Emergency Housing Assistance, Crisis Intervention, Legal Issues, And More.
The Peer Network Is Designed To Empower Veterans And Family Members On How To Navigate The Systems In Place Or Restore Hope With The Systems In Place By Walking Shoulder To Shoulder In Navigating The Process And Advocating When Necessary. Adam Castillo Is A Licensed Clinical Social Worker In California Specializing In Trauma And Ptsd, Anxiety, Depression, Veteran Transition, Learning Disabilities, De-escalation, Prevention, Intervention, Behavioral Health, Motivational Interviewing, Crisis Intervention, Social Work, And Mental Health Counseling.
He Holds A Bachelor Of Sociology From California State University – Dominguez Hills, A Masters Of Social Work From The University Of Southern California, And A Veteran Peer Support Certificate From Depression And Bipolar Support Alliance (Dbsa).
Yvonne Moreno
Board Member
Yvonne Moreno Is A Seasoned Change Agent Dedicated To Fostering Social Change And Bridging The Gaps For The Most Vulnerable Veterans. She Is A Certified Well-being Lab Alumni With Expertise In Applied Positive Psychology. With A Proven Track Record Of Success At Organizations Like Mental Health America Of Los Angeles, Jvs So-cal, The Geo Group, And Path, Yvonne Is Also Certified As A Workforce Development Professional.
Yvonne’s Extensive Experience Includes Working On Programs Addressing Veteran Homelessness, Reentry, Rapid Rehousing, And Employment Gaps. She Is The Co-founder Of Antelope Valley Boots On The Ground Alliance, Which Organizes Community Events As A Platform For Organizations To Connect Veterans With The Specific Support They Need, Following The Permah Model. Known For Her Innovative Solutions And Community Engagement, Yvonne’s Strong Work Ethic And Faith-based Foundation Drive Her Efforts To Advocate For System Changes Benefiting Veterans.
Liz Rios
Board Member
Liz Currently Serves As The Executive Director Of The Center For Restorative Justice Works (CRJW), Having Joined In 2019 As The Program Coordinator For Get On The Bus Before Assuming Her Current Role.
Growing Up In East Los Angeles, Liz Witnessed Firsthand The Impact Of Crime And The Justice System On Her Community, Enduring The Absence Of Her Father Who Was Incarcerated For Years. This Experience Deeply Shaped Her Understanding Of The Effects Of Incarceration On Families.
With A Degree In Sociology From Long Beach State University, Liz Combined Her Personal Experience With Academic Knowledge To Delve Into The Complexities Of The Prison System. This Fueled Her Passion For Social Change And Commitment To Serving System-impacted Community Members.
As Executive Director Of CRJW, Liz Leads Efforts To Promote Restorative Justice And Support Affected Families Across California. Her Dedication And Unique Perspective Have Been Instrumental In Advancing The Organization’s Mission And Positively Impacting Countless Lives.