Jacob Bissaillon

Jake Bissaillon serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Justice Assistance. He is an experienced advocate and administrator with a deep history of leadership in both state and local government. Jake earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master’s in Business Administration from Providence College as well as a Juris Doctorate from Roger Williams University School of Law.

Prior to working for Justice Assistance, Jake served as the Chief of Staff for Rhode Island Senate, developing and negotiating Senate leadership’s legislative agenda from 2021 to 2023. His past public sector experience also includes serving as legal counsel to former Senate Majority Leader Michael J. McCaffrey and as the Chief of Staff to the Providence City Council under Council President Michael A. Solomon. Jake joined Justice Assistance in 2023.

During his time in various leadership positions, Jake played a pivotal role in advancing significant legislation impacting Rhode Island’s criminal justice system. These include comprehensive changes to the state’s sentencing guidelines known as “Justice Reinvestment” in 2017, “Fair Chance Licensing” reform, and expungement reform. Jake also played a crucial role in enacting common-sense gun safety laws, establishing a $15 minimum wage, issuing child tax credits to support Rhode Island families, and implementing tax relief measures for seniors, families, and small businesses.

Born in Merrimac, Massachusetts, Jake came to Rhode Island to attend Providence College. He resides in Providence's Elmhurst neighborhood with his wife, Kim, and their two dogs, Winnie and Winston. Jake currently represents District One (Providence) in the Rhode Island Senate.

Chief Executive Officer | jbissaillon@justiceassistance.org

Chief Operating Officer kbrown@justiceassistance.org

Katherine E. Brown

With more than 30 years of experience at Justice Assistance, Kathy wears many hats as principal contract manager and management of personnel, information systems, accounts payable and disbursements; office management and special events coordinator. She oversees recruitment and training of staff, volunteers and student interns. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Justice Studies from Rhode Island College, and she is a graduate of the former Katharine Gibbs School.

 Jill van Leesten, MSW, LCSW, Ed.S,CPRS

Program Director - CORES
jvanleesten@justiceassistance.org

Jill oversees all clinical, case management, community health and placement services for the CORES Program.      

Her expansive career includes Program Director for ‘Breakthrough Atlanta at The Lovett School’ in Georgia; Field Supervisor for ‘Communities in Schools of Atlanta’, and Director of Program Operations for the ‘Bill and Melinda Gates Performance Learning Center with Communities in Schools of Georgia.’  Jill served as Director of Recruitment for College Unbound, and Social Service Director for Amos House.  She also worked with the Amos House Rhode Island Reentry Collaborative.

Jill attended Virginia State University, majoring in Public Administration.  She earned her Master of Social Work Degree in 1996 from Clark Atlanta University School of Social Work, and her Master of Education from Argosy University in 2009.  In 2019, Jill earned the Institute for Non-Profit Practice Certificate from Tufts University Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life.

She has been a Youth Facilitator for the International Black Summit, IBS radio show host, and the host of her own Blog Talk radio show called Who Motivates the Motivated. She is the Secretary for the VSU New England Alumni Chapter, Committee Member for Juneteenth RI, Board Member for South Side Elementary, and she is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Theta Phi Omega Chapter in RI.

Emily Costa

Director of Strategic Planning I Court-Based Program Manager
ecosta@justiceassistance.org

Emily rejoined Justice Assistance in 2023 as the Program Manager for Project Restitution and Project Victim Services, along with becoming a Marketing and Development Officer. Emily originally joined Justice Assistance in 2019 as the 6th and 4th Division District Court Case Manager and Victim Service Provider. She left in 2021 to embark on a professional journey and ultimately landed with the Providence Public School Department as a Law and Government teacher. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Rhode Island College in 2012 and a Master of Public Administration from Roger Williams University in 2019. 

Jason T. Minter

Project Manager I Habitat for Justice
jminter@justiceassistance.org

Jason T. Minter is responsible for building a thriving program where justice-involved individuals can master career skills, construct affordable housing, and give back to their communities.  His goal is to make Habitat for Justice a national model for Design Justice. Jason comes to Justice Assistance with 11 years of experience in affordable housing and community development.  His career highlights include raising $86 million in financing to develop 318 units of affordable housing and piloting an economic development program that helped 9 entrepreneurs from low-income areas to lease and operate their first brick and mortar retail spaces. Jason earned his Master of Architecture from Texas A&M in 2013, and his B.S. in Architecture from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2009.  Jason is also a Board Member with the Association of Community Design.

Lauren Holly, MSW, LCSW

Lauren is a clinical social worker for the Justice Assistance CORES Program. She provides behavioral health counseling and other clinical services to the client base. She has previous experience working in community mental health as a case manager and intern clinician for adults with severe and persistent mental illness. She previously worked in a residential setting for adults with traumatic brain injuries. She interned with the Rhode Island Department of Corrections Probation and Parole for her undergraduate degree. She graduated summa cum laude from Rhode Island College with her Bachelor of Social Work in 2022 and recently graduated advanced standing with her Master of Social Work in 2023.

Monique Harris

Community Health Worker/ Peer Recovery Specialist
mharris@justiceassistance.org

Monique Harris comes to Justice Assistance with ten years of social justice experience. As the Community Health Worker and Peer Support Specialist she will provide valuable assistance for clients in need of food, housing, and other basic needs. She began her career in 2001 working as a Youth Care Worker and Supervisor, and eventually became an Assistant Director for Group Homes for youth and formerly incarcerated individuals. Monique’s approach to working with people is to show compassion toward their circumstances to provide them the opportunity to thrive. She received her Associate of Science in Criminal Justice from Florida Metropolitan University in Melbourne, FL and later obtained her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Mercy College in New York, NY.

Keith Whitt

Marketing and Development Officer
kwhitt@justiceassistace.org

Keith started at Justice Assistance in 2019 as a Case Manager what was responsible for program service delivery in the 3rd Division and 2nd Division District Courts.  In 2022 he became the Marketing and Development Officer and oversees the marketing and development of Justice Assistance. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Mitchel College in New London, Connecticut.

Veronika Valois

Veronika is responsible for overall daily office operations, as well as records management, office maintenance and supplies.  She also serves as the assistant to the CEO and provides support services to the Board of Directors. Veronika joined Justice Assistance in January 2020. She earned her Associate Degree in Law Enforcement from Community College of Rhode Island and her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Administration from Rhode Island College.

Luisaura Perez

Intake/Administrative Assistant
lperez@justiceassistance.org

Luisaura coordinates data about victim/client information from the court. Her duties include general and administrative support for the staff. She also provides translation services for Spanish speaking clients. Luisaura joined Justice Assistance in 2021. She earned her Associate Degree from the Community College of Rhode Island. 

Client Services Manager - CORES
rbailey@justiceassistance.org

Robert L. Bailey V

Bob is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of all client services.  He has twenty plus years of non-profit experience with Casey Family Services - the direct service arm of The Annie E. Casey Foundation; Amos House and ManUp, Inc.  As a volunteer, he actively participates as Executive Chair Board at YouthBuild Prep Academy/YouthBuild Programs, Board of Trustees Mt. Hope Community Baptist Church, Ambassador Constituent Team Lead (ACT Lead) RI Congressional District 1 American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Jeremy Fague

Jeremy is responsible for program service delivery in the 2nd and 3rd Division District Courts. Those services include victim and offender notification; monitoring restitution determination and collection, as well as all client court-ordered sanctions, court escort, referral and technical assistance.  Jeremy comes to Justice Assistance with over 35 years’ experience in law enforcement, having been with the East Greenwich Police Department before retiring as a Detective Lieutenant. He received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Roger Williams University.

Kimberlyn Tejera

Life Skills Development Specialist
ktereja@justiceassistance.org

Kimberlyn has spent four years working in the community as a Youth Outreach Worker and Case Manager with at-risk youth and families that are involved in the child welfare system to ensure they receive support in developing positive life skills . She is passionate about ensuring that her clients are provided with all the tools needed to succeed. Kimberlyn earned her Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Criminal Justice, and her Masters of Public Administration from Johnson & Wales University.   

Frances Dalomba, MSW, LICSW

Clinical Director
fdalomba@justiceassistance.org

Ms. Dalomba is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) and Clinical Director at Justice Assistance.  She is a BIPOC, cisgender female who is Dominican American, bilingual, (Spanish/English), and a first- generation college graduate.  She has worked with children, youth, and families for over 20+ years.  She earned a BSW and MSW from Rhode Island College.  Ms. DaLomba was the Clinical Director of School Based Initiatives at Family Service of RI (FSRI). She also provides individual therapy and clinical supervision in private practice with RI Psychiatric & Counseling Associates.  Ms. DaLomba is a graduate of the 2022-2023 RI Foundation’s emerging leaders Equity Leadership Initiative (ELI) Cohort #2. She is a mental health advocate who is passionate that mental health services are provided to those in need, especially children and adolescents who need equitable access, in a timely, culturally sensitive and trauma informed manner.

Marcela Lopera

Marcela is responsible for program service delivery in the 6th Division and 4th Division District Courts. Those services include victim and offender notification; monitoring restitution determination and collection as well as all client court-ordered sanctions, court escort, referral and technical assistance.  Marcela joins the Justice Assistance team and offers over 7 years of experience, having worked in the Kent County Courthouse and the Narragansett Police Department.  She earned her Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice from Johnson & Wales University.