Javier Reyes is a dedicated advocate for criminal justice reform and a leader in advancing the rights of justice-involved individuals. Drawing from his lived experience, he is a restorative justice practitioner and prison reform advocate committed to transforming the criminal legal system. As the founder and CEO of Challenge II Change, a non-profit organization, Javier provides comprehensive pre-release and reentry planning, essential resources for successful community reintegration, and supportive services for those at risk of becoming justice-involved. Recognizing the critical role of housing stability in successful reentry, he actively advocates for equitable housing policies and expanded access to affordable housing opportunities.
Javier’s commitment to civic engagement and policy reform is demonstrated through his previous role as a civic leader for Chicago Votes, his contributions as a delegate for the People’s Coalition for Safety and Freedom, and his ongoing efforts as a steering committee member for the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments.
Javier’s advocacy for higher education in prison is inspired by the educational opportunities he received and the profound impact they had on his quality of life, both during and after incarceration. As an alumnus of the Illinois Coalition for Higher Education in Prison (ILCHEP) and a Justice Fellow with Northwestern University’s Prison Education Program (NPEP), he champions the belief that every individual—regardless of race, sex, gender, or sentence — deserves equal access to quality education.
In his capacity as faculty for the Administrative Office of US Courts, Defender Services Offices, Training Division’s national program, Javier shares his lived experience to help the Federal Public Defender’s Office build trust and improve communication between defenders and their clients.
