Congratulations to former GOSO Reentry Manager Yarelis Leonardo on her 2027-29 Empire State Fellowship! She has been placed New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services‘ Office of Youth Justice. Learn more about  Yarelis at New York State’s announcement here.

“Yarelis Leonardo is placed at the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, Office of Youth Justice. She is a dedicated criminal justice professional with over ten years of experience working across the juvenile justice system, with a career rooted in advocacy, equity, and system transformation. Yarelis has worked in some of New York City’s most complex and high-need environments, including Rikers Island, Horizon Juvenile Center, the New York City Courts, and mission-driven nonprofit organizations committed to youth justice and reentry. Prior to joining the Empire State Fellowship, Yarelis served as Reentry Manager at Getting Out, Staying Out (GOSO), where she worked closely with incarcerated youth and young adults ages 16 to 24 at Rikers Island. In this role, she provided individualized, wraparound support to help young people successfully transition back into their communities while navigating the systemic complexities of reentry. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from SUNY Plattsburgh and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where she also earned an Advanced Certificate in Race and Crime. Through her fellowship, she brings both expertise and empathy to advancing policies and practices that promote meaningful, sustainable outcomes for young people across New York State.”