Brauli Peña Peralta ’25: From Housing Insecure to Homeless Advocate
Degree: B.S. in Criminal Justice
Minor: Community Justice
Certificate: Navigator Certificate in Human Services and Community Justice
Military Rank/Role: U.S. Army Sergeant, Automated Logistic Specialist
Programs: Institute for Justice and Opportunity (IJO), CUNY Justice Academy, Military & Veteran Services
Mentors: Melvin Rosario, IJO, Manager, Student Success Initiative Program; Cameron Cassar, IJO, Program Coordinator of the Navigator Certificate Program; Angelina (Angie) Garcia, IJO, Program Associate; Carlton Jama Adams, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Career Aspiration: Homeless Advocate, Lawyer
Post-graduate Plan: Care Services Navigator, Bronx Móvil
What was life like before John Jay?
I had a bit of a rough upbringing. I immigrated from the Dominican Republic when I was eight years old and moved to New York City to join my mom, who was living here and about to give birth to my younger brother. She had been in the States for a few years, working and making money to support the family. She remarried, and when I arrived, I was sent to live with my grandmother. My mother was still present in my life. She pushed me toward doing well in school and graduating, but when you’re eight years old and told you can’t live with your mom, you can’t help but feel rejected. I was a kid, and it put me in the wrong mental state.
About three years later, my mom ended up developing colon cancer, which later metastasized into lung cancer, and she passed. Everything spiraled out of control following her death. I turned to the streets, hung out with the wrong crowd in hopes of finding acceptance, and got into a lot of trouble. I was super reactive and would end up fighting with anyone. I was about to drop out of high school, because what was the point in finishing if my mom wasn’t here to see me graduate. Luckily, I had a guidance counselor who would show up at my grandmother’s door and wouldn’t quit on me. He told me, “Brauli, you need to finish what you started. You don’t need to come to the graduation ceremony if you don’t want to, but you need to earn your high school diploma.” So I did. I got my diploma, but didn’t attend graduation because my mom wasn’t there to celebrate with me.
What sparked your interest in joining the military?
Military service runs in my family. My grandfather, who I idolized, proudly served in the military back in the Dominican Republic. In many ways, he was the most important father figure in my life until he died when I was 10 years old. I always respected him and wanted to be just like him.
After graduating from high school, I realized I wasn’t going anywhere good if I stayed in New York City. At the time, I was housing insecure and sleeping in the gym where I worked. I knew I needed a change. I wanted to be in a place where I could have structure and a real sense of purpose. I remember walking into the Army recruitment office on 42nd Street to enlist. Four months later, I was deployed to Germany. In the Army, I served as an automated logistical specialist. My role was to manage and ensure the movement of Army supplies, equipment, and materials across the globe. I also helped train different military groups, teaching them how to provide aid in combat zones and different environments. Being in the Army opened my eyes to the world outside the Bronx. I’ve been to different parts of the world, including Germany, Italy, and Romania.
Why John Jay?
Deep down, I’ve always wanted to come to John Jay College. What attracted me most to the College was the fact that it produces the most diverse set of graduates who go on to work in the legal profession—Black, Latinx, and system-impacted students graduate from John Jay and go on to law school, it’s incredible.
After leaving the Army, I decided I wanted to go to college. I received an email from Hostos Community College telling me about the CUNY Justice Academy and how it was a pathway to John Jay, and I decided to give it a shot. I earned my associate degree from Hostos Community College and then made my way to John Jay.
What sparked your passion for law?
Growing up in the Bronx, I witnessed the inequities of over-policing, particularly targeting youths who have no home to go to at night, and individuals struggling with substance abuse. So many of these people need help, not punishment. But what sealed the deal for me was my personal involvement with the criminal justice system and seeing how unfair the people involved can be, especially when they’re focused on climbing the career ladder.
How did IJO and the Navigator Certificate strengthen your career goals?
The Navigator Certificate gave me the know-how, tools, and resources I needed to succeed as a community outreach worker. The program gave me a deeper understanding of human services and community justice work while also expanding my network. Because of the Navigator Certificate, I can sit with a client and provide them with the guidance and direction they need to do well in life.
How have your John Jay mentors put you on the path to success?
Everyone at IJO has been incredibly supportive and involved in my success. Melvin Rosario constantly checked in with me to ensure I was doing well. He encouraged me to develop a positive outlook, set a plan for myself, and continuously move forward.
My advisor, Angie Garcia, is a major reason why I was able to graduate this year instead of next year. She ensured that I transferred all my credits and, once I was at John Jay, she made sure that I was enrolled in the right courses to stay on track for graduation.
Dr. Carlton Jama Adams helped me improve my writing by consistently challenging me to expand my communication skills and believe in myself. He recognized my ability to communicate effectively before I did.
Cameron Cassar is such a great teacher and really encourages the people around him. He’s the one who connected me to Bronx Móvil, a mobile and bilingual harm reduction organization focused on helping the unhoused community in the Bronx. He said, “Brauli, I think you would benefit from having community service-learning hours at this organization. You can make a real difference with them.” I was recently offered a full-time role at the organization.
What are your plans after graduation?
I’m looking forward to working full-time as a care services navigator at Bronx Móvil. The organization’s goal of providing outreach and support to people in the local unhoused community hits close to home, given my own experience with housing insecurity. We’re working with people often ostracized by society and pushed to feel like outsiders. No matter their circumstances, we have to remember they are still human beings who need access to medical services, food, clean clothing, and safe housing.
Through Bronx Móvil, we provide essential items like clean socks and underwear, water and food, and care kits. It’s about letting people maintain their dignity. As a care services navigator, I’ll be part of the team helping participants navigate their journey to good health. I’ll be giving our participants information, connecting them with medical providers, making their appointments, reminding them of their appointments, and escorting them to facilities so they can get services if necessary. We’ll help make sure they receive and take their medication. Essentially, we’ll be meeting people where they are.
I love this work because I feel like I’m actually helping people and the community itself. Bronx Móvil is investing in these people so that their lives can improve. When you show people you genuinely care about them, regardless of their state of mind or well-being, it changes their lives for the better. They start to care about themselves, and in turn, they start to care about the community. I’ve seen participants sweeping the sidewalk, picking up the garbage, because they now care about their neighborhoods. It creates a domino effect. I see myself in my participants. If people hadn’t cared about my situation or whether I succeeded, I wouldn’t be sitting here ready to graduate with my degree from John Jay.
Finish this statement: Because of John Jay…
Because of John Jay, I’m going to be able to fulfill the promises I made to my mother before she passed away. I’m earning my college degree and working to uplift the disenfranchised. And this time, I’m crossing that commencement stage and celebrating.
