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In their Own Voices (Continued)
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Matthew Nguyen
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Youth Transformation Program Coordinator, Project Kinship
Born in Vietnam during the war and arriving in the United States as a child, he faced early challenges adapting and finding belonging, which ultimately led him down a path of gang involvement and incarceration as a teenager. Matthew now uses his lived experience to help young people challenge their thinking, repair harm, and build a sense of identity, purpose, and belonging. Matthew supports justice-involved youth through rehabilitation and community reentry, facilitating restorative circles both in custody and in the community.
Michael Casteel
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Assistant Division Director, Orange County Probation Department
Michael brings over 20 years of experience in probation, including leadership roles overseeing adult court supervision and the department’s involvement in Orange County’s Collaborative Courts program. He spent nearly a decade working at Orange County Juvenile Hall, where he mentored young justice-involved individuals and discovered his passion for helping people get back on their feet and onto the right path. Today, he finds the greatest reward in seeing individuals successfully graduate from these programs and move forward with their lives.
Whitney Palermo
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Clinical Case Manager, Project Kinship
Whitney provides intensive, hands-on case management to justice-involved individuals working to rebuild their lives. In her role within Project Kinship’s corrections cohort, she works closely with participants to reduce recidivism by helping them develop life skills, access resources, and build a stronger foundation for the future. Guided by her belief that everyone deserves support and opportunity, Whitney is dedicated to helping individuals feel valued, capable, and connected to their community.
Jorge Castanon
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Deputy Probation Officer, Orange County Probation Department
Jorge Castanon oversees high-risk adult clients in Orange County Probation’s domestic violence unit, balancing supervision, accountability, and rehabilitation. Early in his career, he made a deliberate choice to work in probation so he could give back to youth facing the same challenges he once experienced as a justice-involved teenager. Today, he combines that lived experience with his professional role to guide individuals toward safer choices and stronger futures.
Jazmin Ocampo
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Care Advocate, Project Kinship, Youth Transformation Program
Jazmin Ocampo brings lived experience and deep empathy to her role as a Care Advocate with Project Kinship. As a teenager, she was searching for a sense of belonging and found it through Kinship’s programs, where she was introduced to a supportive community and space to heal. Today, she facilitate restorative circles that once helped her, creating environments where youth can feel seen, build trust, and begin their own journey toward growth and stability. Jazmin is committed to helping young people find a different path, just as she did.
Carlos Catalan
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Peer Navigator, Project Kinship
Drawing from his own past experiences, he now works to support justice-involved individuals on their path to recovery and stability. Grounded in the belief that no one can do it alone, Carlos emphasizes the importance of community, connection, and chosen family. Through his work, he helps others see that no matter their circumstances, there is always hope and the possibility of a brighter future.
