About Us
“Empowering veterans to rebuild, reintegrate, and reclaim their purpose.”
Protecting LA County veterans since 2017!
The Community Veteran Justice Project (CVJP) helps veterans rebuild their lives after encounters with the justice system. We provide comprehensive legal support, alternative sentencing guidance, reentry services, and personalized one-on-one care tailored to each veteran’s unique needs.
Our holistic approach addresses underlying challenges such as trauma, housing instability, and mental health, empowering veterans to successfully reintegrate into their communities. By supporting their journey to stability and purpose, we help veterans contribute to safer neighborhoods, stronger families, and thriving communities across Los Angeles County.
At CVJP, every service we offer is guided by empathy, advocacy, and the belief that justice can be transformative—for veterans and the community alike.
Our Values
Justice = Empathy, Advocacy, Transformation
Empathy
Justice isn’t just about enforcing laws—it’s about recognizing the unique challenges veterans face. CVJP leads with compassion, honoring their sacrifices and treating them as individuals rather than statistics. By centering empathy, we create a system rooted in healing, not punishment, and ensure that every veteran is given the dignity they deserve.
Transformation
Advocacy
At CVJP, advocacy means more than legal defense—it means fighting for alternatives to incarceration, protecting veterans’ rights, and opening doors to fair opportunities. Through collaboration with mental health professionals, social workers, and wellness organizations, we bridge the gap between veterans and the resources they need—keeping them connected to support instead of cycles of incarceration, homelessness, or despair.
True justice is transformative. CVJP helps veterans heal, regain their self-worth, and reintegrate into their communities. With diversion programs, legal guidance, and holistic services, we focus on lasting change—for the individual, their families, and the community. By breaking harmful cycles, we restore dignity and build stronger, healthier futures for all.
Our Team
Staff
Jodi Galvin
Executive Director
Jodi Galvin has spent her career in public service. She is a seasoned attorney with over 30 years of experience working within the criminal justice system. Jodi served as a Public Defender Investigator for eleven years in both the Mental Health and Criminal sections, and also as a Los Angeles City Attorney Prosecutor for twenty-one years. Coming from a military-connected family, Jodi has always been a valuable advocate for veteran affairs. Jodi is the Founder and Executive Director of the Community Veteran Justice Project; chairs the Legal & Re-Entry Committee for the LA Veteran Collaborative, has been an active member of the LACBA Armed Forces Committee; and has served on national, statewide and local veteran committees and projects.
May Ong
Program Developer/Manager
May Ong manages/develops programs, relationships and funding opportunities. Her background is in research, she obtained her bachelor’s degree and PhD from UCLA. She studied health disparities to improve disease outcomes for underserved populations during her tenure at Charles Drew University in south Los Angeles. She grew up in Bataan, Philippines. Her grandfathers served, one as a medic and the other as a cook. She volunteered with CVJP off and on since 2017.
Monica Mooring
Social worker Field Supervisor
Dr. Monica Mooring is a social work professional with over 20+ years of direct practice at the macro-level, mezzo-level, and micro-level. She is passionate about helping those most vulnerable realize and achieve their highest potential as they define achievement.
Marli Crowe
CVJP Data Analyst
Marli Crowe is a strategic, results-driven business leader with over 10 years of experience in data analytics, marketing, operational strategy and cross-functional team leadership. She is also the daughter, granddaughter, and niece of veterans, born on an Air Force base, and deeply passionate about serving the veteran community. Marli is a graduate of Spelman College with a degree in Economics.
Jimmy Askew
Project Coordinator
Jimmy Askew is an attorney who is licensed in NY and in CA. A graduate of Cardozo School of Law in NYC, he has worked in entertainment and IP law as well as doing litigation support. He currently serves as a Neighborhood Council member in North Hollywood and as a member of Metro's Citizens Advisory Council. Jimmy's father spent 21 years on active duty in the Army Corps of Engineers, including a year in Vietnam, and he spent the first ten years of life as an army brat before settling down in Fairfax County, VA. He's excited to have this opportunity to give back to the veterans who have given so much.
David Caddle
Program Developer
David joined the CVJP team in 2024 to further his advocacy for urban policy and community development. He previously served as a fellow in the Mayor's offices in Jackson, MS, and Memphis, TN, focusing on public safety audits, affordable housing, and COVID-19 response. As a Coro Fellow in Los Angeles, he contributed to ballot initiatives and legislation for the creative economy. David holds a BA in Urban Policy from Rhodes College.
Pedro Cervantes
CVJP Veteran Navigator
Pedro is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and the California Army National Guard. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus in Management from California State University, Los Angeles, where he is currently completing his Master of Public Administration. Pedro also served with CalFire’s Task Force Rattlesnake, gaining firsthand experience in emergency response and community service.
Karl Risinger
Veteran Outreach Worker
Karl Risinger served in the United States Army from 1994-2005 as a Weapons Trainer and Military Police. Never deployed, but took a Government contracting job in Iraq in 2010 because he had to see what his brothers and sisters had been through. Karl moved to Los Angeles in July of 2000 and has been active in the Veteran Community as well as the community around him. He has worked in the entertainment industry and been an event/project manager for several years. He enjoys watching football, playing with his children and being a loving husband.
Costa Via
Program Manager
Costa Via is a U.S. Army veteran. He received LLM from Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University School of Law in 2015 and since then he was involved in VET2VET, a non-profit educational project dedicated to assist veterans with adjustment to civilian lifestyle and providing assistance in obtaining VA and other available benefits. Through his own journey as a service-connected V.A. patient, Costa derives a strong sense of fulfillment from providing assistance to service members and their families.
In God We Trust: E pluribus Unum!
Yvetty J Kelly
Program Developer/Manager
Yvette is a combat veteran with over 30 years of leadership as an Army helicopter pilot and a broad spectrum of specialized experience in human resources, logistics, aviation, and operations, culminating her career in the Pentagon. In 2019, she completed her Jurisprudence Degree (JD) from the University of Southern California (USC) and passed the California bar exam in 2020. Yvette served in two non-profit organizations as President & CEO helping veterans facing homelessness and as an Executive Director for Bob Hope USO.
Cindy Silva
CVJP ReEntry Navigator
I am a retired Navy Corpsman. I lost a massive part of myself and my purpose. I started volunteering to get myself out of a funk. I hit some medical issues and stopped volunteering for a few years. In 2021, I reconnected and have since volunteered for various organizations, building relationships within the community. I will complete my Bachelor's in Psychology in October. I have fought to live, and I will fight to help my fellow veterans.
Volunteers
Calvin Gregg
CVJP Worker
I'm currently a senior at California State University, Long Beach, majoring in Psychology and set to graduate in Fall 2025. I'm passionate about mental health and plan to pursue a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) to build a career centered on helping others and making a meaningful impact in my community. Outside of academics, I enjoy spending time outdoors, especially surfing and snowboarding, which help me stay grounded and inspired.
Kyle Gillick
CVJP Law Clerk
Kyle is a native of San Diego California who served 8 years on active-duty in the U.S Army as an Infantry and Intelligence officer before transitioning off active-duty to do defense contracting work in Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. Kyle holds a bachelor’s degree in history from The University of San Francisco, where he attended on an Army ROTC scholarship, and he currently attends Pepperdine Law School.
Steven Johnson
CVJP Worker
I was born and raised in Pensacola, FL. I enlisted in the United States Air Force and served for four years, receiving an honorable discharge. In the civilian world, I became employed as a computer technician and worked in the IT department at the City of Los Angeles for eighteen years. Currently I'm a senior undergraduate at Cal State Los Angeles, majoring in Rehabilitation Services. My goal is to work and give back to my fellow veterans.
Reggie Escomiendo
Veterans Outreach Worker
I am a US Army Veteran with years in service to our country’s calling. Combat Veteran with combined tours overseas OIF and OEF. I’m here to help my Fellow Veterans, fellows alike in need and conduct outreach services for those that need the assistance they desperately need and deserve. Excited to get started! Let me be that guiding light, tip of the spear for our Veterans.
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Matthew Santamaria
CVJP Law Clerk
I was born and raised in Moreno Valley, California. I have a passion for advocacy and watching my brother and sister serve for the United States Army only fostered my passion for advocacy for others, particularly veterans. Once I graduate from McGeorge School of Law, I look to continue working with non profit organizations providing pro bono representation and practice criminal law, civil rights law and employment law.
