Meet Our Associate Director

When Joaquin Jordan began working at True North Housing Alliance three years ago, he was welcomed by a team that accepted him and his past with open arms. He was not only seen as a valuable employee, but entrusted with significant projects and responsibilities as a case manager and the organization’s Substance Use Disorder Program Manager.

Joaquin excelled, and as of last month, was promoted. He now serves as True North’s Associate Director, in addition to managing the Substance Use Disorder Program. He works closely with Executive Director Joy Amaro and Senior Operations Manager Jacque Lewkowicz, planning and organizing day-to-day operations and the organization’s long-term plans and vision.

For Joaquin, his professional development with the nonprofit is a clear demonstration of his recovery. Before he began working for True North, Joaquin was in prison. He faced a 25-to-life sentence for robberies he committed while struggling with addiction.

While incarcerated, Joaquin realized that he needed to dramatically change his life. He spent 18 years devoted to his sobriety and education, earning a total of five degrees: three associate’s—in American studies, social behavior, and social science—and two vocational—in social work and in alcohol and drug studies. He also became a substance abuse counselor and a service dog trainer.

After all those years of study, hard work and dedication, Joaquin was granted clemency. Upon his release, he immediately enrolled at Chico State and began working toward his bachelor’s in criminal justice. Not long after that, he started at True North Housing Alliance. He also serves as a consultant for the Department of Corrections and provides drug counseling through his own private practice.

Joaquin’s past has made him uniquely equipped to serve the vulnerable population that comes through the doors at True North: individuals seeking shelter and housing as well as a second chance at life. Many of the clients the organization serves have struggled with substance use disorders and entered the justice system as a result.

“My experiences make me more compassionate, more patient and more understanding,” Joaquin said.

He was able to make progress and dramatically change his life because he choose his recovery and sobriety every day. He learned how to hold space for his emotions.

“Prison is horrible, but learning how to stay no to drugs and violence and to demarcate the difference between being lonely and alone really made my recovery stick,” he said. “What my clients don’t do with me is tell me what’s not possible. If I can change, anybody can change.”

Joaquin said he looks forward to broadening his administrative experience at True North, and will continue to lead by example, a core value of the organization.

“There’s no job too small,” he said. “No one is indispensable.”

Executive Director Joy Amaro, Associate Director Joaquin Jordan and Senior Operations Manager Jacque Lewkowicz.