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.
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.
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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. 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 the DC area. He's excited to have this opportunity to give back to the veterans who have given so much.
Costa Via
Project 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!
May Ong
Program Developer
May Ong manages/develops programs, relationships and funding opportunities. Her background is in research, and she obtained her bachelor’s degree and PhD from UCLA. She studied health disparities to improve disease outcomes for underserved populations at Charles Drew University in Los Angeles. She volunteered with CVJP off and on since 2019.
Yvette Kelley
Program Developer
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.
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.
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.
Emmanuel Lazo
Veteran Outreach Worker
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David Carpio
ARG Veteran Re-Entry Navigator Facilitator
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Brian Flexen
ARG Housing Navigator
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Pedro Cervantes
ARG Housing Navigator
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Michelle Bradley
ARG Housing Navigator
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Marli Crowe
ARG Data Analyst
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Volunteers
Isaiah Kilian
Law Clerk
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Stacey Lyons
Law Clerk
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Hannan Khan
Law Clerk
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Kyle Gillick
Law Clerk
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Hussein Farhat
Law Clerk
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Flavio Rivas
Law Clerk
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Matilda Younesi
Law Clerk
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Calvin Gregg
Volunteer
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Trey Guitteau
Volunteer
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Steven Johnson
Volunteer
My name is Steven Johnson, and I was born and raised in Pensacola, FL. After high school, I enlisted in the United States Air Force and served for four years, receiving an honorable discharge. In the civilian world, I went back to school for computer technology and eventually became employed as a computer technician. I came to Los Angeles and worked in the IT department at the City of Los Angeles for eighteen years. Afterwards, I enrolled at LACC and earned an A.A. degree in Real Estate. I did my transfer curriculum at SMC and then enrolled at CSULA. I am currently a senior undergraduate, and my major is Rehabilitation Services. My goal is to work and give back to my fellow veterans.
Ronald Rook
Volunteer
Ronald Rook served in the U.S. Army and completed a 20-year prison sentence. He is disciplined, emotionally resilient, and deeply committed to personal growth. Ronald lives with PTSD and manages it through structure, emotional regulation, and service to others.
He brings lived experience, combat-tested focus, and a strong sense of responsibility to every task, and is currently focused on supporting fellow veterans through reentry and community service.
Voices from the community
Voices from the community
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The encouragement and resources I received here have helped me rebuild my confidence. This place gave me a sense of belonging and a renewed purpose in life.