Jorge Rivera

Background

About Jorge Rivera

I graduated CSU Long Beach with a BA in Philosophy and Psychology. My professional career began in Social Work in Behavioral Modification for children with disabilities. I progressed into management positions wherein I designed programs for private Foster Family agencies to foster children with disabilities. After 5 years of social work, I transferred my skill sets into Real Estate and Loans so as to build my own capital to fund the creation of my dream which was creating a non-profit community center providing NO to LOW COST services to youth, families and the homeless. Right around the time I started to get rooted in my work, the market crashed and I found myself just trying to survive. I lost everything in the crash, was forced to move and and struggled financially, which then forced me to reflect on what was most valuable in my life. I then began my personal journey of introspection and healing. With more time on my hands, and in order to find activities for youth in my community, I began to build relationships with nonprofits and other groups. I grew as a community leader, learned about local government and my world expanded as my eyes began to widen. I saw things I didn't notice before and felt the urge to want to do something about it, which then led me into community organizing, advocating for social justice and equity. Upon deciding to invest in my community, I created a charity group called COMMUNITY SOLES, which helped train folks to run in their first 5K races. I've also created the GREENER GOOD Farmers Markets, which served the food deserts communities. Additionally, I started a film project called SOLE SEARCHING Long Beach, where I was physically running every street in Long Beach, while interviewing community members about their own participation in our city, be it socially or civically. During filming, I began organizing my community for housing justice, and after a few years, I founded LiBRE (Long Beach Residents Empowered), which is a grassroots community organizing group focused on achieving more tenant rights and affordable housing. All the while, I was learning, growing and getting trained in Trauma Informed and Resiliency methods and practices. I began facilitating trauma informed nonviolent parent education classes, wellness and resiliency presentations and workshops. Now, I am merging, combining and synthesizing all my experience to develop cultures which are more healing, supportive, culturally sensitive and empowering in all sorts of community and work environments.