Juan was one of the first youth members of The Brotherhood Sister Sol and a founding member of the Knowledge of Self Chapter. When he joined in 1995, Juan embraced the organization’s philosophy from its inception. He traveled with BroSis to South Africa in 1997 through our International Study Program. Juan graduated from East Side High School, completed two years of college at Eugene Lang College at The New School, and earned his certification as an Assistant Engineer from the Institute of Audio Research in 2003. He previously worked as a Group Leader for the Educational Alliance.

Juan joined our staff in 2004, working in our Teen After School Program. With more than 20 years of youth leadership development experience, Juan is one of the most senior and experienced youth workers at BroSis. He has co-facilitated multiple Brotherhood chapters over the years, providing comprehensive support services, mentorship, and guidance to young men for well over two decades—most recently in a Coordinator capacity. In addition, he has coordinated a range of co-educational summer activities, including leading and co-facilitating our International Study Program to Ghana, Cuba, and Brazil. In total, Juan has helped lead seven International Study Programs, during which young people spend six months in New York City studying the culture, politics, and history of the host nation before spending one month immersed in that country.

With regard to recruitment and engagement, throughout his tenure at BroSis Juan has worked in seven schools, participated in or led more than 30 recruitment sessions, and developed extensive experience serving as a liaison to school partners and school leadership. His longstanding relationships with current members and alumni consistently demonstrate his ability to build trust, connect with young people, and lead them in a positive direction.

Born and raised on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Juan has lived and raised his family in the Hamilton Heights/Washington Heights community for well over two decades.