CEBALLOS
Ceballos understands the unique needs of the community. “Growing up in the South Bay, I wanted to find a way to be of service to my community,” she said.
As a young person, she overcame many challenges. “I worked multiple jobs to pay for school and understand the struggle to overcome the stereotypes associated with being a young woman of color.”
Ceballos, who grew up in National City and now lives in San Diego, was the first person in her family to complete high school. She went on to earn a bachelor’s in criminal justice at SDSU and a master’s in human behavior from National University.
“When my son was born, I was working full-time, finishing my master’s program and coordinating nursing sessions in between. Any time I felt like things were
too hard or overwhelming, I would remember the generational healing I was committed to.”
Ceballos started her reentry work in 2006 while working with youth in Juvenile Hall.
“It was life-changing work. I was hired to change their life and what happened instead is they changed mine. Their stories sounded like my own. Their mothers looked like mine. Their struggles felt like mine.”
This connection led Ceballos to dedicating her life’s work around building pathways to healing, connection and personal growth for people who are leaving jail.
She understands the importance of using her voice, knowledge and experience to shape change for future generations. She practices compassionate leadership to bring hope and healing to the community.
“Reentry work is important to me because it doesn’t just impact the person I am working with, but every person
that is connected to that individual.”
She remembers a young woman who spent several years at Las Colinas women’s jail. “While she was there, she completed her high school equivalency, received 19 transferable college credits, completed a culinary arts program and many other life-changing classes,” Ceballos recalls. “Upon her release, she reunified with her daughter, obtained employment as a peer support college counselor and regularly speaks at conferences and trainings to share her story of success.
“It was not just about her success, but the impact she has on everyone in her life, including her daughter. Helping people find their inner strength and support their reentry journey is why I do this important work.
“As I continue to reflect on the future of this work, I am encouraged to be in a position to lead with compassion and humanity.”
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has more than two dozen educational, vocational, wellness and psycho-social programs to help those in custody. For more information, go to www.sdsheriff.gov/ReentryWorks.