james willock (he/him), Program coach, quest
Perhaps the most handsome member of the CROP team, James has 38 years of lived experience after entering the foster care system at age 11 and experiencing his first incarceration at 12 years old. In 1992, James received a life sentence and spent 29 years in prison. During that time, James transformed his life and made it his life's mission to add value to his community and the lives of others.
James is a natural born leader and can captivate any audience when he speaks. James was on the executive body of Phoenix Alliance, which focuses on personal transformation and providing leadership skills. He has also taught leadership skills to Hartnell College faculty and students, Palma High School staff and students through the Exercises in Empathy program, and to the community using the Leadership for Life curriculum.
James has been a guest speaker for the Pinole Police Department's "Be the Change" project and, most recently, for the Sacramento Sheriff's Department Community Academy. James has spent the last 2 years collaborating with law enforcement, probation and the community as a Community Intervention Worker and Program Manager overseeing crisis responses. James is very passionate about working with youth to help prevent them from becoming incarcerated and he enjoys coaching for the Kings and Queens program as part of this passion.
James holds certifications as a Cultural Broker, as a court approved Anger Management Facilitator, in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and in Mental Health First Aid.