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In the second installment of this powerful two-part series, DisruptED turns from personal origin stories to the enduring lessons that come from surviving life's hardest seasons. For host Ron J Stefanski and guest John Valverde, President and CEO of YouthBuild Global, the conversation is rooted in lived experience: moments of deep loss, the resilience forged in adversity, and the quiet, deliberate work of helping others find their own path forward through purpose and second chances.For Ron, those values were first shaped by his grandmother—a Polish immigrant who raised him after his mother's passing, surrounding him with warmth, strength, and quiet resilience. That personal foundation feels especially relevant today, with millions of adults under community supervision, on probation or parole, striving to rebuild their lives after incarceration. It's here, in the space between hardship and hope, that Ron and John explore what it truly means to create a second chance.How do you emerge from your hardest chapter not just intact, but more open, more compassionate, and more determined to serve? And how can one person's belief—offered even before someone believes in themselves—be the spark that changes everything?In this episode of DisruptED, Ron invites John to share what kept him going through 16 years in prison, the role of education and service in shaping his future, and how YouthBuild turns belief in young people into a movement that changes lives. The conversation closes with an important announcement: an ongoing collaborative series exploring “life in the second chance lane, where stories of purpose and second chances will continue to inspire and challenge listeners.The main topics of conversation...John reflects on his “darkest hours” in prison and how daily acts of service, rooted in his father's advice to “say yes” to helping others, built a foundation for his current work.Ron and John discuss the surprising way that tragedy can soften rather than harden—and why empathy is often hardest, and most important, when directed toward those who are hardest to love.The launch of a new recurring collaboration between Ron and John, dedicated to sharing powerful YouthBuild stories and inspiring listeners to join the movement for second chances.John Valverde is a seasoned nonprofit executive and current President & CEO of YouthBuild Global, where he leads a network of over 300 programs worldwide focused on education, workforce readiness, and leadership development for young people. He has a proven track record in organizational growth, strategic partnerships, large-scale fundraising, and managing complex funding portfolios, including federal grants and corporate sponsorships. With extensive experience in criminal justice reform, workforce development, and social entrepreneurship, Valverde is recognized for his ability to build high-performing teams, cultivate collaborative networks, and design innovative programs that deliver measurable impact.
Some moments in life alter the course of who we are. For Ron J Stefanski, that moment came with the heartbreaking loss of his grandmother—a Polish immigrant who had stepped in to raise him after his mother passed, giving his childhood a foundation of love, steadiness, and strength. She was his anchor, his safe place, his teacher in life's truest lessons - lessons that would later deepen his belief in second chances.Her life was taken suddenly and tragically. Such a loss could have left only anger and bitterness behind. Yet Ron, carrying the values she had lived by, chose another way. He resolved to honor her memory not in words alone, but through a life devoted to lifting others up—especially those written off or left behind.Today, with many young people trapped in cycles of incarceration and communities wrestling with the harm caused when young lives are pulled into violence, the need to talk about second chances feels more pressing than ever. Research from the Bureau of Justice Statistics shows that roughly two-thirds of people released from prison are rearrested within three years—a sobering reminder of how far we still have to go in helping people rebuild their lives.But can grief and anger be reshaped into a force for good? And can those who have made painful mistakes find their way to a second chance—becoming, in time, a source of healing for others?In this episode of DisruptED, Ron sits down with John Valverde, President and CEO of YouthBuild Global, for the first in a two-part series. Their conversation is both personal and profound—two men, each shaped by tragedy, exploring the courage it takes to forgive, the responsibility of rebuilding, and the enduring belief that no one should be written off forever.The conversation delves into...John's journey from serving 16 years in prison to leading a global nonprofit, built on the principles of responsibility, service, hope, and creating second chances.The emotional and cultural factors that can drive young people toward destructive choices—and the tools that can help them choose differently.How YouthBuild creates pathways for young people who've been left behind, combining education, career readiness, and leadership development at over 300 sites worldwide.John Valverde is the President and Chief Executive Officer of YouthBuild Global, which partners with young people aged 16–24 who are out of school and out of work, helping them gain the skills, credentials, and confidence to change their lives. Born to Costa Rican immigrants and raised in New York City, John was the first in his family to attend college. At 21, a violent act in response to a loved one's assault led to his incarceration. While serving his sentence, he dedicated himself to education and service, launching programs for fellow inmates and committing to a life of purpose. Since his release, John has become a respected leader in youth empowerment and criminal justice reform, bringing compassion and vision to a global stage.
One of our most popular – and powerful episodes of 2023 is back, with this encore presentation. In the Blue Sky conversation, John Valverde describes the impactful work of the organization he leads, YouthBuild USA, and also shares his own inspiring story of persevering through 16 years in prison to found two non-profits and now lead a third; YouthBuild USA. John explains how he brings his own lived experience to his leadership role of an organization that helps young people at their own crossroads change the trajectory of their life. Learn More: https://youthbuild.org
Today on Boston Public Radio: Various headlines are circulating on the issue of affordable housing in Boston. From rent control to building housing on top of libraries, we asked listeners to share their thoughts. John Valverde is the CEO of YouthBuild USA, a nonprofit offering counseling and job training for young adults. He discussed the organization and how they're addressing, among other thing, youth violence in schools. Segun Oduolowu hosts the Boston Globe Today on NESN, which debuted this week. He reflected on his first week and the importance of being the face of the show. Sue O'Connell talked about the racist policing incident that occurred on Marathon Monday in Newton, the mysterious disappearance of Twitter blue-checks, the expansion of don't-say-gay in Florida, that exploding SpaceX rocket, and MTG getting silenced at a GOP-led committee hearing. Bonnie Heiple is commissioner of the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection, she talked about what she does and how it's going ahead of Earth Day tomorrow. Live Music Friday this week is Jazz Boston president Ken Field, guitarist John Stein and GBH General Manager Anthony Rudel. They've got a concert on the Sunday after next honoring the life and legacy of Eric Jackson, they played some music in his honor. We ended the show with the comforting topics of rats. We asked listeners to text and call us to share experiences they've had with rats.
John Valverde describes the impactful work of the organization he leads, YouthBuild USA, and also shares his own inspiring story of persevering through 16 years in prison to found two non-profits and now lead a third; YouthBuild USA. John explains how he brings his own lived experience to his leadership role of an organization that helps young people at their own crossroads change the trajectory of their life. Learn More About John and YouthBuild USA: https://youthbuild.org/
#wanllas #johnvalverde #ruwanafilms Ely Guaminga es una creadora de contenido indígena, quien mediante su humor y carisma a dado visibilidad al páramo, a la vida en el campo y a sus tradiciones, generando gran acogida en el Ecuador y en el mundo. En este episodio, Ely nos cuenta sobre sus inicios en las redes sociales y cómo ha sido lidiar con comentarios despectivos respecto a su físico y la importancia del amor propio. Conoceremos la historia detrás de su relación con John Valverde y la importancia de la figura femenina en su familia, demostrando la fuerza y poder que tienen las mujeres en el campo. Síganle a Ely! Instagram
#cuyfilms #music #zapatea Kike Jav es un reconocido youtuber ecuatoriano que con esfuerzo y dedicación ha consolidado una sólida carrera que va más allá de YouTube, pues ha incursionado en el mundo de la música, la cocina, y próximamente la elaboración de bebidas.En este episodio, Kike nos cuenta cómo logró realizar su primer sencillo musical junto a Gerardo Morán y su experiencia al realizar su primer gira musical en Europa junto a John Valverde. Además veremos el lado humano detrás del personaje de Kike, quien ha sido la inspiración de muchos creadores que hoy han consolidado la escena de YouTube Ecuador. Síganle al Kike! Instagram
#muñecazo #music #ecuador John Valverde, youtuber indígena ecuatoriano multifacético. Que, desde el páramo, exploró el mundo de la mecánica, la cocina, las ventas y la música. En este episodio, conoceremos más a Jhon. Los motivos que lo impulsaron a iniciarse en el amplio mundo de la música ecuatoriana. Sueño que rompería fronteras y lo llevaría a tocar en Europa. Conoceremos cómo logró construir él mismo su primer auto. Su inesperado gusto por la cocina y la venta de pinchos. La historia de su primera cámara, y lo que lo convertiría en uno de los youtubers más grandes de Ecuador.Síganle a John! TikTok
Advocate, ally, reformer and mentor John Valverde has dedicated his life to service. His own incredible life story shows how love and respect help young people embrace positive opportunities that can change their entire trajectory. Join us for a complex and thoughtful conversation on the dignity of work, the resilience and intelligence of today’s opportunity youth and how the promise of innovative green buildings can do more than jump start a career — it can transform a life.
Meet John Valverde, CEO of Youthbuild USA. John has been a lifelong advocate for youth, motivated in part by his 16 years in prison. He explains how the lessons he learned while incarcerated are relevant to his leadership and decision making amid tremendous uncertainty during COVID-19. Listen as he shares some of his infinite wisdom to others who are facing the unknown.
Maxwell Anders, Beau Alexander, Brooklyn Steele explore and share on the ups and downs of dating, sex, and relationships in the city.On episode 18, Denied, we dive into the topic of rejection and denial. At some point in our lives, we all face rejection and denial. Hearing “NO” doesn't necessarily feel good. It can hurt like hell, but it can make us stronger. Sometimes we find ourselves having to say “NO” in a variety of dating and romantic situations. It can be painful, empowering, scary, and funny. One thing is certain. We can always learn from it.Beau opens up about his new dating interest. Max reconsiders whether to use dating apps right now, and Brooklyn brings his new book to the studio, "Gayma Sutra: The Complete Guide" by Axel Neustaedter. John Valverde, the founder, and designer, of Uptown Jerk Store, is our guest dating guru. Check them out at www.uptownjerkstore.com. We answer your dating e-mails and discuss the book "Get the Guy" by Matthew Hussey. We go over our call to action, episode quote and we give a shout out to motivational speaker and world-leading dating advice expert Matthew Hussey. Check out Matthew Hussey at www.matthewhussey.com, and YouTube.Music featured on this episode:Complicate ya by Otis McDonald www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/music Otis McDonald Channel on Youtube.Strange the Dreamer by Savfk (https://soundcloud.com/savfk) is licensed under a Creative Commons license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Savfk Music Channel on Youtube.Tango de La Noche by Wayne Jones www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/music Wayne Jones Music Channel on Youtube.
This is the final sermon in our BE Cause series from December, and it's also the final sermon of 2019. In this sermon Ps John Valverde challenges us to not settle for where we are, but to be relentless in our pursuit of GOD's Plan for our lives.Support the show (https://nolachurch.com/give)
This is the final sermon in our BE Cause series from December, and it's also the final sermon of 2019. In this sermon Ps John Valverde challenges us to not settle for where we are, but to be relentless in our pursuit of GOD's Plan for our lives.Support the show (https://nolachurch.com/give)
Pastor John Valverde challenges us to gauge our words, and the thoughts we speak over our lives during our August 2019 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting.Support the show (https://nolachurch.com/give)
Pastor John Valverde challenges us to gauge our words, and the thoughts we speak over our lives during our August 2019 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting.Support the show (https://nolachurch.com/give)
Pastor John Valverde challenges us to face our fear by trusting that Jesus will fight our battles for us during our August 2019 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting.Support the show (https://nolachurch.com/give)
Pastor John Valverde challenges us to face our fear by trusting that Jesus will fight our battles for us during our August 2019 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting.Support the show (https://nolachurch.com/give)
Pastor John Valverde teaches us the power of taming our tongue, and speaking Life during our August 2019 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting.Support the show (https://nolachurch.com/give)
Pastor John Valverde teaches us the power of taming our tongue, and speaking Life during our August 2019 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting.Support the show (https://nolachurch.com/give)
This is the third sermon in our series II Corinthians from May 2019. In this sermon Pastor John Valverde challenges us to share the Good News we've received, and he reminds us that Jesus is already victorious!Support the show (https://nolachurch.com/give)
This is the third sermon in our series II Corinthians from May 2019. In this sermon Pastor John Valverde challenges us to share the Good News we've received, and he reminds us that Jesus is already victorious!Support the show (https://nolachurch.com/give)
As a young man, John Valverde made a big mistake. But his time in prison didn't prevent him from impacting others' lives, and transforming his own. -- • For more information about John: https://www.youthbuild.org/john-valverde • Tickets for this year's Jump Club and more information at whentojump.com. • Buy the When To Jump book here: https://amzn.to/2to6dKH -- This week's episode is supported by LinkedIn, True Botanicals and Relentless MV.
As the leader of a second chance program for young people, YouthBuild USA’s John Valverde describes what it means to live out his own second chance.