Jose Juan Lara Jr

Jose Juan Lara, Jr., MS, has been involved in the movement against gender violence since 1999 in Texas and has facilitated workshops at national, state, and local conferences on crisis intervention, systems advocacy for victims of family and sexual violence, and LGBTQ victims of interpersonal violence. Prior to coming to the National Latin@ Network, Jose Juan was the Senior Victim Services Program Specialist for Texas Advocacy Project in Austin; Legal Advocate Program Coordinator for Friendship of Women, Inc. in Brownsville; Case Manager Supervisor/Volunteer Coordinator for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Cameron and Willacy Counties; and Director of Legal Services for the Family Crisis Center, Inc. in Harlingen. Jose Juan serves on the Board of Directors for the Texas Victim Services Association and allgo, a statewide queer people of color organization (originally, Austin Latina/o Lesbian and Gay Organization) and a consultant for Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center. JJ holds Master degrees in Sociology and Public Safety with specialization in Criminal Justice.