Jalisa Pearson Hired to Lead Reentry in Collin County

Youth With Faces is proud to welcome Jalisa Pearson as our new Reentry Program Specialist in Collin County. With nearly a decade of experience serving opportunity youth, as well as survivors of abuse and exploitation, Jalisa brings both passion and expertise to her role supporting justice-impacted young people.

Her career has included supporting child victims of abuse and domestic violence, guiding unhoused young adults toward independence, and helping organizations improve systems through strong communication, financial management, and administrative expertise.

She has developed a reputation for identifying barriers and inefficiencies—whether in organizational culture or youth support systems—and working collaboratively to create positive change. These skills, combined with her passion for empowering vulnerable populations, uniquely prepare her to guide justice-involved youth through reentry.

Before joining Youth With Faces, Jalisa was a Victim and Family Advocate with a children’s advocacy group. She has also worked with transitional living programs, helping teens and young adults achieve milestones such as completing their GED, securing stable housing, and opening their first bank accounts. She credits a trauma-informed approach—centered on trust and nonjudgmental support—for enabling these successes.

“The gravitational pull to serve this demographic was undeniable,” Jalisa explained. “It only made sense to join Youth With Faces’ impactful work in creating new identities for justice-involved youth while breaking the cycle of recidivism.”

In her role as Reentry Program Specialist, Jalisa is committed to walking alongside youth as they prepare for life beyond the justice system. She uses tools like Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to help them understand what may be holding them back and how to build momentum toward their highest potential.

“I am excited to welcome Jalisa to the Youth With Faces team as our new Reentry Program Specialist.” said Director of Programs Jazminda Ryan, Ed.D. “She brings a deep passion for supporting justice-involved youth as they prepare to reenter their communities and take their next steps toward success. Her dedication, compassion, and expertise will strengthen our ability to walk alongside young people as they build brighter futures.”

At the heart of Jalisa’s work is a simple but powerful belief: every young person deserves to feel seen, supported, and capable of building a brighter future. In just a few months with Youth with Faces, she has already begun working with youth to build their FutureU plans and identify the skills and strategies that will change the trajectories of their lives. We are thrilled to have her on board and look forward to the lasting impact she will bring to our reentry program!