Meet our Board Members

“I am on the board of Youth Empowerment because I’ve seen the positive impact this organization makes in the community and believe in the power of restorative practices and trauma-informed healing. YE’s work aligns with my core beliefs that change is possible at the individual and community levels and that out of the darkness comes the light. YE’s team of lived-experience mentors have lived this healing journey and are best placed to provide guidance, healing and hope to those most in need on their journey to change their lives for the better.”
— Steve Vigil, Board Member

  • Arthur Soriano

    PRESIDENT

    Released from incarceration at 36 after a total of 24 years in the justice system, Youth Empowerment founder, Arthur Soriano, found himself below the poverty line, struggling to obtain employment and, most importantly, unable to reconnect with his community. Arthur understood the influences that led him to gang involvement and he realized he could use his experiences to guide others down a different path than the one he had taken. He had been a leader on the streets and in prison and knew he could use these same skills to organize and influence others to do good for themselves, their families, and their community.

  • Reginald Washington

    VICE PRESIDENT

    As a young man, Reggie Washington found himself involved with gangs and without awareness of alternative ways to deal with his anger. He founded Project A.W.A.R.E. to teach young people the emotional literacy skills he had lacked. Mr. Washington is now a certified trainer in Restorative Practices and a certified Community Mentor, with over a decade of experience working with youth in San Diego County. His multiple trainings come from the National Institute of Corrections, San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, and the National Conflict Resolution Center, among other federal and state gang experts.

  • Leticia Bombardier

    SECRETARY

    Leticia Bombardier, owner of Transformative Centered Solutions, serves as a trainer and consultant. As a retired San Diego County Supervising Probation Officer, she is dedicated to collaborating with grassroots and justice/system partners through skill-building and engagement. She accomplishes this by applying her experience with restorative practices through a trauma-informed lens. Her experience and passion for prevention and intervention in the juvenile and adult justice systems offer engaging opportunities to better serve our communities.

  • Marisol Quevedo Rerucha

    TREASURE

    Marisol Rerucha is the author of Beyond the Surface of Restorative Practices: Building a Culture of Equity, Connection and Healing and serves as the Chief of Strategy and Partnerships for the National Parents Union. As a former teacher, principal, and nonprofit leader, she uses her voice to challenge systems of oppression and, more importantly, amplifies the voices of others. The impact of her passion, experience, work, and voice is felt beyond her own community through her work as:

    Director of Culture and Community for Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc.;

    Chair of Unidos US’ National Institute for Latino School Leaders’ alumni council;

    Board Treasurer at Youth Empowerment; and

    Nonprofit and for-profit consultant.

  • Steve Vigil

    BOARD MEMBER

    Steve was raised in the state of Colorado and at an early age discovered his ability to organize diverse groups of people towards a common goal. He has a background in conflict transformation, community organizing, and United Nations peacekeeping. In his formative years he was actively involved in programs to promote positive lifestyles in youth using education, art, culture, theater and sports. He has dedicated his life to social justice and has been involved in peacebuilding efforts throughout the United States and the world.