A Curiae Anecdotes: Jesse's Career to Help Youth

By: Naomi Friedland

After spending his teen and early adult years involved with the criminal justice system, Jesse Agles has dedicated his career to helping youth going through similar struggles. 

Agles, 28, grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and was involved with the criminal justice system since he was 12 years old. He was arrested every year from then until the age of 21 and served his first term at age 19. 

He got involved with A Curiae seven years ago while he was fighting his case. He said he had heard about the Conviction Alternatives Program (CAP) from other inmates while he was in jail as well as from his lawyer. President and founder of A Curiae, Wyatt Lim-Tepper, mentored him as he transitioned back to society. 

“Wyatt was the biggest guidance I had at that time to show me who I’m supposed to be,” he said. 

Agles said he did not have any positive role models in his life until the past few years. 

“I was raised in the streets and locked up as a kid, so Wyatt is the one who really pushed me to achieve those things,” he said. 

“I always looked at him for advice.”

Through A Curiae, Agles learned professional skills such as preparing for job interviews, building a resume and how to interact with professional people.

“I don’t think I’d be where I'm at right now if it wasn't for Wyatt,” he said. 

He said he now feels confident with finding employment and being in work places. 

Agles works in Santa Rosa at New Hope for Youth, an organization that provides mentorship and support to at-risk youth. He works as an advocate and mentor for youth involved with the criminal justice system. Before he started this position in April he worked at a homeless shelter. Agles said he wants to continue working in his community whether with youth or unhoused people. 

“I come from that lifestyle of the streets and because I grew up in the city, my whole childhood was around homeless people and drug addicts and gang members,” he said. 

In addition to A Curiae, Agles credits the Native American Health Center and being involved in the Bay Area Native American community for his success. He said the center has helped him recover from substance abuse and heal from previously unaddressed traumas. Agles, who is Yaqui, gives gratitude to his Bay Area community for guiding him down the path of the red road. 

He was addicted to alcohol and said looking back, he would drink because he did not want to feel his emotions. He quit drinking four years ago. Agles said he also benefits from the center’s community sweat lodges where they bring men together to aid with prayer and guidance. 

He said his life is quite busy these days as he works full time and raises two young children with his partner in Ukiah. He said A Curiae provided him with people who are on his side and knows that he can reach out to the community at any time.