Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristino Chavez.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am where I am today through a series of unexpected and challenging experiences. Currently, I’m a social worker specializing in criminal justice, a path shaped by my personal encounters with the criminal legal system.
During my senior year of college, just a month away from graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and with aspirations to pursue a Master of Social Work degree, I was arrested for a first-time offense. Feeling those handcuffs on my wrists and being forced into the back of a police car was a moment that made me feel like my life was over. Navigating through arraignments and court hearings, I had to prove my resilience and ability to overcome this traumatic experience. With the support of my criminal defense attorney, I received a conditional discharge, but the trauma from that experience has stayed with me.
Despite these hardships, I was struck by the plight of others held at the precinct for minor, non-violent offenses, technical violations, or even false citizen’s arrests, many of whom would not be able to return home. It was in that moment I found my purpose: to advocate for those involved in the criminal legal system and fight for justice.
A year after my sentence, I enrolled in an MSW program, working several jobs to support myself through education and health costs. During my time as a graduate student, I became proactive against the injustices within the criminal legal system and police practices. I engaged in campus and community activities, served on multiple councils and committees, completed a field placement at the county juvenile detention center, assisted in research projects, and worked with individuals re-entering society from long-term incarceration and those on probation.
From the beginning, despite the trauma, this experience ignited my passion for advocacy and justice within the criminal justice and mental health fields. This journey has led me to my current role as a doctoral student in a PhD in Social Welfare program, focusing on criminal & juvenile justice and immigration. I also serve as an adjunct professor, teaching criminal justice policy to graduate social work students and psychology to undergraduate first-year students. Recently, I was appointed to the Board of Directors for a grassroots mental health organization on Long Island, NY. I am where I am today through a series of unexpected and challenging experiences. Currently, I’m a social worker specializing in criminal justice, a path shaped by my personal encounters with the criminal legal system.
During my senior year of college, just a month away from graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and with aspirations to pursue a Master of Social Work degree, I was arrested for a first-time offense. Feeling those handcuffs on my wrists and being forced into the back of a police car was a moment that made me feel like my life was over. Navigating through arraignments and court hearings, I had to prove my resilience and ability to overcome this traumatic experience. With the support of my criminal defense attorney, I received a conditional discharge, but the trauma from that experience has stayed with me.
Despite these hardships, I was struck by the plight of others held at the precinct for minor, non-violent offenses, technical violations, or even false citizen’s arrests, many of whom would not be able to return home. It was in that moment I found my purpose: to advocate for those involved in the criminal legal system and fight for justice.
A year after my sentence, I enrolled in an MSW program, working several jobs to support myself through education and health costs. During my time as a graduate student, I became proactive against the injustices within the criminal legal system and police practices. I engaged in campus and community activities, served on multiple councils and committees, completed a field placement at the county juvenile detention center, assisted in research projects, and worked with individuals re-entering society from long-term incarceration and those on probation.
From the beginning, despite the trauma, this experience ignited my passion for advocacy and justice within the criminal justice and mental health fields. This journey has led me to my current role as a doctoral student in a PhD in Social Welfare program, focusing on criminal & juvenile justice and immigration. I also serve as an adjunct professor, teaching criminal justice policy to graduate social work students and psychology to undergraduate first-year students. Recently, I was appointed to the Board of Directors for a grassroots mental health organization on Long Island, NY.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road for me; I’ve faced consistent struggles to get to where I am today. One of the major obstacles has been my physical and mental health, which often became barriers to acknowledging my true potential. As a child, I was diagnosed with ganglioglioma, a rare form of brain tumor, and more recently, I’ve been diagnosed with polycythemia, a blood disorder, along with bipolar disorder and ADHD. There were times when I honestly doubted if I would live long enough to accomplish my goals.
In addition to health challenges, I’ve faced obstacles related to my identity and race. As a first-generation, gay, Latino man living in an area where racism and homophobia were prevalent, I lived in constant fear, hiding my true self while enduring bullying, criticism, and stereotyping. There were moments of intense loneliness when I questioned whether things would be better if I were no longer here. But deep down, I knew myself and believed that one day I would escape this environment and live my life authentically.
Despite feeling alone and lost at times, I always reminded myself that each day I wake up is an opportunity to recognize my strength and potential, to make a difference, to fight for change, and to hopefully inspire others to do the same.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m currently an adjunct professor at New York University in New York City. I teach Advanced Social Policy on Criminal Justice to advanced-year MSW students at the Silver School of Social Work. In this course, we delve into the historical and current issues within criminal justice policies, and I equip students with the tools to be proactive social workers at the mezzo and macro levels. This includes advocating for social and criminal justice with their clients or campaigning for broader change.
I also teach a Non-Credit Course in Psychology for pre-first-year and first-year students enrolled in the Opportunity Program. This program aims to provide traditionally underserved, low-income New York State students with admission opportunities, as well as academic and financial support.
Teaching, for me, is a chance to share my insights and knowledge from both professional and academic experiences. It’s incredibly rewarding to see my students develop the skills they need to succeed, and I learn a lot from them as well.
As a Salvadoran born and raised in New York, I know it’s not common to see many who hold positions as adjunct professors in academic institutions. I hope to be that professor whom students can relate to and be inspired by, knowing that their hard work will one day lead them to cross the stage in their cap and gown. I want them to feel supported and know they’re not alone on their academic and professional journeys.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
In the next 5-10 years, I plan to complete and earn my PhD in Social Welfare. I aim to take on leadership roles in advocating for criminal justice reform and pushing for political action to transform our current legal system into one that is restorative rather than oppressive. I want to expand my experience in forensic social work, research, and policy at the city, state, and federal levels. Additionally, I hope to support and empower students, professionals, and community members to become more proactive rather than reactive to change.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/cristinochavez
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnc_lmsw?igsh=MXR6dG51dmJxc2h3Zw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristino-n-chavez-jr-lmsw-ctp-963858bb?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app