Justice Assistance Elects Six New Members to the Board of Directors
Cranston, RI- Justice Assistance (JA) has welcomed six new members to its Board of Directors. Since 1978, JA has empowered justice-involved individuals by providing essential resources for employment, housing, behavioral health, and financial literacy. Through these efforts, JA has helped thousands of Rhode Islanders reclaim their lives, fostering brighter futures and stronger communities.
“Justice Assistance is pleased to welcome our newest directors. Each individual brings years of on the ground experience in communities affected by the justice system. Their insights and leadership will be invaluable as we work to build opportunity and inclusivity in Rhode Island,” said Justice Assistance Board President KC Brody. “The justice system does not have to be a revolving door. Together, we are committed to creating pathways success for justice-involved individuals.”
JA’s programs, like Habitat for Justice, Project Victim Services and Comprehensive Opportunities Resource and Employment Services (CORES) offer a holistic approach to justice. By addressing an individual’s critical needs, like a safe place to live, a reliable job and access to physical and behavioral healthcare, their chances of exiting, and staying out of, the justice system increase.
“Our newly elected board members are an all-star lineup of public servants, accomplished attorneys, community organizers and life-long advocates. As Justice Assistance continues our mission to provide whole-hearted justice for all, the diverse experiences and expertise of our new board members will enhance our programming and inform our growth as an organization,” said Jake Bissaillon, CEO of Justice Assistance.
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The newly elected board members are:
Dawn Allen: Dawn Allen is the Director of Special Projects at Thrive Behavioral Health, where she has worked since April 2019. She was previously the Health Program Administrator at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Allen has spent much of her career working with justice-involved individuals experiencing mental illness. She served as a Social Worker for the Office of the Public Defender, the Coordinator of Specialized Services at Fellowship Health Resources, the Mental Health Discharge Planner at the RI Adult Correctional Institute and in the Probation and Parole arm of the Department of Corrections. This past May she received the 2024 Mental Health Hero of the Year Award from the Mental Health Association of Rhode Island. She received both her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Rhode Island.
Misty Delgado: Misty Delgado is a seasoned legal professional and public servant dedicated to improving the lives of Rhode Island's children and families. As Chief of Staff for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, she brings a deep understanding of the legal landscape, social dynamics, and ethical considerations that effect those impacted by a plethora of systems and legal processes. Her career has been marked by her commitment to public service, having worked for the United States Attorney's Office, Rhode Island Center for Justice, and DCYF. As a Deputy Chief of Legal Services, she prosecuted petitions on behalf of the Department and specialized in Safe and Secure Baby Court cases, aiming to break the cycle of involvement in the child welfare system. She has also contributed to the Rhode Island Bar Association, serving on committees for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Family Court Bench/Bar, and Ethics & Professionalism. She received her Juris Doctorate from Roger Williams University School of Law. She was the 2022 recipient of the R. Kevin Horan Emerging Leader award.
Mario McClain: Mario McClain is an Associate Law Clerk with Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O’Gara LLC. His legal work is focused on monitoring prison reform and the implementation of mandatory mental health screening, diagnosis and treatment of prisoners. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Roger Williams University School of Law, where he was Secretary of the American Indian Law Student Association and a member of the Street Law Program, which educates local inner-city high school students about law, democracy and human rights. McClain was a J.D. candidate at Vermont Law School and earned dual bachelor's degrees in Political Science and Sociology and Criminal Justice from the University of Rhode Island.
LaTri-c-ea McClendon-Hunt: LaTri-c-ea McClendon-Hunt is a Senior Counsel at Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O’Gara LLC, specializing in Alternative Dispute Resolution and serving on the Special Mastership Team focused on prison reform compliance for the U.S. District Court. McLendon-Hunt previously worked at Rhode Island Legal Services, where she represented hundreds of victims of domestic violence and led seminars on removing legal barriers to employment. Recognized for her excellence, she has been included in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2022 and was named a Rhode Island Super Lawyers Rising Star. Active in various legal and community organizations, she earned her J.D. from Appalachian School of Law and a B.A. in International Affairs from Marquette University and is admitted to practice in Rhode Island and federal courts.
George Nee: George Nee got his start as a labor organizer in 1969; leaving Boston College to join Cesar Chavez in organizing the grape boycott for the United Farm Workers of America. In 1976, he founded and served as the first president of Service Employees International Union, Local 76. He joined the Rhode Island AFL-CIO in 1983 as a staff representative, and in 1985 became the organization's executive director. Nee was elected as the RI AFL-CIO's secretary-treasurer in 1991 and has served as the organization’s president since 2009; leading Rhode Island’s federation of labor unions and representing over 80,000 members statewide.
Charon L. Rose: Charon L. Rose is the Director of Workforce Strategy and Operations at the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner, where she supports workforce development initiatives and worked to secure $8 million in funding for the Rhode Island Reconnect program. Previously, she served as Rhode Island's first Black Deputy Treasurer focusing on Financial Empowerment and Community Outreach, spearheading legislation for personal finance education in high schools. With a Master’s in Public Administration from Clark University and extensive experience in community outreach, Rose is dedicated to enhancing financial empowerment and workforce development across the state. She actively serves on several boards and is committed to empowering underserved communities in Rhode Island.