Bringing mental health healing to incarcerated youth

Edwin Paragas understands youth who find themselves in California’s juvenile justice system, because he was one of them. Edwin came to the United States as an immigrant from the Philippines, and ended up incarcerated at the age of 12. Having served over two decades in state prison before his release in 2019, he now dedicates his career to ensuring that system-impacted youth receive the mental health and reentry support necessary to recover, transform, and ultimately avoid the adult prison system.

As the Co-Director of Youth Development Programs at the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), Edwin leads initiatives focused on mentorship and healing-centered practices. His work is built on the foundation of restorative justice.

Edwin’s impact on the justice landscape is defined by his commitment to treating the underlying trauma often found at the root of system involvement. He recognizes that for restoration to be permanent, mental wellness must be a priority. To that end, he has pioneered several key mental health supports:

• Mindfulness Curriculum: Edwin developed a mindfulness-based program currently utilized in prisons across California and New York. This curriculum provides youth with cognitive tools to manage stress, regulate emotions, and process trauma in environments that are often devoid of such resources.
• Trauma-Informed Mentorship: Through the Credible Messenger model, Edwin creates a unique form of psychological safety. By pairing youth with mentors who share similar lived experiences, he fosters an environment where youth feel safe to discuss mental health struggles and emotional barriers without the fear of judgment.
• Healing-Centered Reentry: His programs at ARC and HDA move beyond logistical support to address the “whole person,” emphasizing that emotional stabilization is a prerequisite for successful community reintegration.

The Steinberg Institute is proud to honor Edwin Paragas as a 2026 Champion for his tireless work in transforming California’s justice system. By valuing every voice and prioritizing the mental and emotional healing of system-impacted youth, Edwin is helping to build a future where every story has the potential to lead to positive change.