Minimize Barriers News Today

At just 19, Juan Rivera began serving a life sentence for a murder he didn’t commit. As appeals wound their way through the system, Rivera decided to learn a new skill. “Even though the possibilities of me coming home were slim to none, still I wanted to be proactive while incarcerated,” Rivera said. So, he picked up a comb and a pair of scissors and started learning to cut hair, completing the 1,500 hours of training needed to be a barber.

This is my eleventh update to the citizens of the 111th district, as your State Representative. The summer has been busy with events, meetings and advocacy for constituents. Each day my office staff and I work on a wide variety of constituent services, policy issues, and pressing topics that affect peoples’ lives and livelihoods. Therefore, the job is always engaging and interesting and there is never a dull moment. I’m often popping in and out of the office as I frequently go to meetings of...