JCOD December 2025 Newsletter

LACTC Celebrates Historic Graduation of First All-Female Cohort

JCOD closed out the year with a historic milestone as the Los Angeles County Training Center (LACTC) graduated its first all-female cohort. The ceremony was held on December 5 in Calabasas and honored 14 women who completed months of rigorous hands-on training in wildland and structural firefighting, emergency medical technician (EMT) instruction, physical conditioning, and job readiness.

“This graduating class is making history, and Los Angeles County is stronger because of their leadership,” said Third District Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “For far too long, women — especially those who have been system-impacted — have faced barriers to careers in fire service. Today, these graduates are breaking those barriers wide open. Their courage, determination, and commitment to public service reflect the best of who we are as a County. I’m grateful to JCOD and our justice partners for creating real pathways to opportunity, and I cannot wait to see the future these women will shape for our communities.”

LACTC launched in 2024 after JCOD and County partners transformed the former Camp Gonzales into a residential training site designed to prepare participants for careers in the fire service. Cadets receive on-site room and board, classroom instruction, field exercises and continuous supportive services that allow them to focus fully on their training.

“These women represent a defining moment for LA County. This first all-female cohort is breaking new ground in a field where women remain vastly underrepresented. Their achievement is remarkable—not only for what it means for each graduate but for what it signals to future generations of women who will see themselves in these uniforms and know they belong,” said JCOD Director Judge Songhai Armstead (ret.). “We are honored to stand with them as they begin this next chapter and proud of the resilience, leadership, and strength they have shown throughout their journey.”

Graduates will continue to receive career counseling, job placement support, housing assistance, and, when needed, record expungement services as they move into the next phase of their career pathways. The program is entirely voluntary and prioritizes applicants impacted by the justice system, the foster care system, and veterans.

“The County of Los Angeles Fire Department is honored to be an important partner, alongside the Justice, Care and Opportunities Department, for the Los Angeles County Training Center program,” said County of Los Angeles Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone. “We applaud this inaugural all-female graduating cohort for continuing to break down barriers, being resilient, and remaining focused in their determination for personal growth as they consider a fulfilling career in the fire service.”

JCOD recognizes the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Public Defender’s Office, Internal Services Department, Department of Human Resources, Anti-Recidivism Coalition, Amity Foundation, Operation Flame and EMS Corps for their partnership and support in expanding training opportunities across the County.

Cohort 3 is expected to launch in early 2026. For those interested in learning more about the program or applying click here.

JCOD Marks Milestone with Incubation Academy’s 10th Cohort Graduation

JCOD celebrated a major milestone on Dec. 10 with the graduation of 30 organizations from the JCOD Incubation Academy’s 10th cohort, the largest class in the program’s history. With this graduation, 249 community-based organizations have now completed the academy since its launch in 2021, reflecting the program’s steady growth and expanding reach across Los Angeles County.

The JCOD Incubation Academy equips grassroots nonprofits with tools to strengthen their operations and better serve justice-impacted individuals and communities. Through a 12-week training series and continued post-graduation support, the program continues to build capacity, foster collaboration and support organizations doing critical work throughout the county.

Learn more about the program at: https://jcod.lacounty.gov/program/incubation-academy/.

JCOD Year in Review

JCOD closes 2025 celebrating its third year as a County department; three years defined by accomplishments, momentum and measurable impact across Los Angeles County. Here is a look at what we have accomplished:

The JCOD Incubation Academy celebrated the graduation of its 10th cohort on Dec. 10, bringing the total number of supported community-based organizations to 249 and strengthening the capacity of grassroots providers countywide.
JCOD’s Care First Community Investment (CFCI) Care Grants program has now awarded more than $350M in Care Grants since inception.
The Los Angeles County Training Center (LACTC) marked a historic milestone with the graduation of its first all-female firefighter cohort, expanding workforce pathways for justice-impacted individuals, transition-aged youth and veterans pursuing careers in fire service.
JCOD and West Coast Customs celebrated the graduation of its 2^nd class of the JCOD-West Coast Customs Academy, a 12-week automotive training program for justice-impacted individuals. Participants in the program receive hands-on experience in custom automotive trades. The most recent cohort completed a vehicle restoration project for former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, which was featured in a national CNN story highlighting second-chance workforce development.
JCOD’s largest workforce development program, Skills and Experience for the Careers of Tomorrow (SECTOR), has continued to grow its impact, now having served over 3,000 individuals since its launch.
JCOD’s Diversion and Care Management programs continued to expand, with the JCOD Rapid Diversion Program diverting more than 3,500 cases since its launch. The JCOD Care Management program has now served more than 37,000 individuals since its launch, while JCOD’s Justice Connect Support Center has logged nearly 50,000 encounters since its 2023 launch.
JCOD’s Independent Pretrial Services Agency expanded its footprint by adding services at the Compton and Antelope Valley courthouses, joining the Airport courthouse program. Navigators provide court reminders, transportation, emergency housing and service connections to support individuals during the pretrial period, and have now served over 6,000 individuals since launch.
JCOD-supported housing programs expanded access to safe, temporary and interim housing countywide, with approximately 1,000 beds directly funded by JCOD. For example, through programs like Providing Opportunities for Women in Reentry (POWR) and JCOD Interim Housing, hundreds of individuals and families received housing, supportive services and pathways toward long-term stability.
JCOD’s Developing Opportunities and Offering Reentry Solutions (DOORS) and Warm Landing Place (WLP) programs have continued to grow and have now together served over 10,000 individuals since their launch.
JCOD participated on the national stage at the 2025 South by Southwest Conference, where JCOD Director Judge Songhai Armstead (Ret.) served as a panelist on Community Champions: Driving Social Justice Forward. The discussion spotlighted local innovations with broader impact, including housing, healing, community mobilization and effective advocacy for justice-impacted individuals.
JCOD received multiple honors at the 38th Annual Productivity and Quality Awards, including the Silver Eagle Award for the LACTC Firefighter Training Program, with additional recognition for Providing Opportunities for Women in Reentry (POWR), Care First Community Investment (CFCI), Pretrial Services and the Justice-Involved Individual Panel.
JCOD capped the year by hosting its second Together We Thrive Summit & Festival, drawing more than 2,000 attendees for a full day of programming focused on community partnerships, accomplishments and the work ahead.

As we move into 2026, JCOD remains focused on expanding services and ensuring that community members across Los Angeles County can access the support and opportunities that help them move forward.

JCOD Season’s Greetings

Thank you for being part of our community and mission this year. We’re grateful for your partnership and inspired by the hope and resilience we see every day. Wishing you a season filled with peace, joy and rest.

JCOD Staff Spotlight

Robin Reyes – Administrative Service Manager

West Covina native Robin Reyes has been part of LA County for eight years. He began his County career as an invoice processor with the Department of Public Health before moving to the Auditor-Controller, where he spent four years working on school bonds and property tax. In February 2023, he joined JCOD as an Administrative Services Manager (ASM) I and quickly became a core part of the department’s financial backbone.

As an ASM I, Robin leads JCOD’s operating budget. He oversees the development, monitoring, and management of the annual budget while providing strategic financial guidance to program managers. His responsibilities include budget planning, coordinating submissions, conducting financial analyses, building forecasts, and preparing detailed reports to support leadership decisions. Robin also partners closely with internal and external stakeholders, leads budget discussions, and helps resolve finance-related issues to keep JCOD’s fiscal operations running smoothly.

Robin’s opportunity with JCOD was unexpected. “When I was invited to interview in December 2022, I knew nothing about the department. After researching, I learned that JCOD had just been established the month before, and the idea of joining a brand-new department immediately stood out to me. Even though I had no prior budget experience, I saw it as a valuable opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to building something from the ground up. It was intimidating to step into unfamiliar territory, but I also recognized that growth doesn’t happen by staying in the comfort of stability. Taking on this challenge felt like the right step to push myself forward.”

He adds that JCOD’s mission is what keeps him committed. “What excites me most about JCOD’s work is the meaningful impact we’re making in the community, especially for a population that has long been underrepresented. Even though my role isn’t forward-facing, I can still see the difference our efforts make through the outcomes we support and the strong partnerships we have with community organizations. Knowing that our work helps create positive change and improves lives is incredibly motivating and reinforces the importance of what we do.”

Having joined JCOD in its early stages, Robin helped shape the budget unit from the ground up—an accomplishment he considers one of his proudest.

Outside of work, Robin enjoys traveling to new cities, exploring national parks, and discovering new restaurants. He jokes that he has a “love-hate relationship with the gym,” noting that the hardest part is getting there but it always feels great afterward. Most recently, he picked up pickleball and has been enjoying it as a new hobby.

Org Spotlight

Laundry Truck LA

Imagine mobile laundry trailers that traveled directly into communities – schools, shelters, encampments, service centers and emergency response sites – providing clean clothes, warmth and dignity to people who need it most. That vision is a reality, thanks to The Laundry Truck LA (TLTLA).

TLTLA is a mobile hygiene nonprofit providing free laundry services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness or temporary displacement across Los Angeles. The organization currently operates three mobile units, each equipped with industrial washers and dryers. They provide services seven days a week in partnership with LA County agencies, schools and community organizations. A fourth truck is scheduled to hit the streets in early 2026.

The Laundry Truck LA Team

Clean clothes might seem like a small thing but their impact is anything but. “By providing laundry services, we remove a barrier that many people don’t realize exists, but which profoundly shapes a person’s ability to move forward,” said Angelica Naccarati, TLTLA Program Manager. “Clean clothes help people feel human again and feeling human is often the first step to rebuilding stability.”

For thousands of Angelenos, the inability to wash clothes means:

Avoiding school or work out of embarrassment.
Being denied job opportunities.
Facing stigma, isolation and mental health strain.
Being at greater risk of infection and illness.

Since 2019, TLTLA has washed more than 612,000 pounds of laundry. Angelica says each pound of laundry represents not just cleanliness, but confidence, dignity and the ability to participate fully in daily life.

TLTLA is a Cohort 7 Incubation Academy graduate and JCOD is proud to support and partner with TLTLA in this critical work. “JCOD has been instrumental in helping us expand strategically and effectively,” Angelica shared. “Their support has enabled us to identify and support areas of the nonprofit that need to be stronger, integrate into broader homelessness outreach systems, and provide coaching to our program and marketing manager. JCOD amplifies our impact by ensuring we are always positioned where we are needed most.”

To learn more about TLTLA, visit their website or follow them on Instagram @thelaundrytruckla.