Growing up in a family lifestyle of gangs and drugs in the East Los Angeles area, Joseph decided to try and make a change and pursued a degree in Administration of Justice at LA City College. He worked as a Private Investigator for different law firms while attending school, but then he was convicted and imprisoned. After 22 years of prison, and after completing a pre-release program, he was assured that he would have help while he transitioned back into society.  Upon his release, however, he found out that the zip code he was living in had no housing assistance available. He was given $200 gate money and told by his Parole Agent to pitch a tent. He found his own transitional housing, and using all his skills as a Private Investigator, he researched all the Reentry programs he could find to help with his transition. In doing so, he found himself passionate about making sure other Returning Citizens did not face the same barriers that he did when they came home. He also found Mass Liberation, and now he uses that know-how and his familiarity with LA County to help others to find the housing and employment they need.