Raymond Chavez, M.S.

I was born in East Los Angeles and raised in the Maravilla Housing Project in a broken home with a disabled, wonderful mother and an abusive stepfather. Stricken by poverty in a community filled with violence, it humbled me to enjoy the simple things while surviving in a complicated society. Upon graduating high school in the 11th grade, I pursued my undergraduate studies in biochemistry and abnormal psychology as a pre-med student in hopes of one day being an MD. However, life happens, and my family became my first priority. I started my career as an employee of Los Angeles County with the District Attorney's Office and was recruited into Probation/Parole because of my understanding of the subcultures of gangs, where I spent nearly 30 years working and managing a specialized mental health caseload in the field.

I further pursued my education in graduate studies in Forensic Mental Health, Public Health, and Business Administration. Currently, I am still associated with the County of Los Angeles through collaboration with the Department of Public Health, Department of Mental Health, and Department of Health Services, as well as through Regional Center vendor Roman Empire Living Skills Inc as an SLS Manager/Forensic & Resource Specialist. As a healthcare worker and humanitarian, I have taken an oath to safeguard people's lives, health, and safety and advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. I will stand before any court and make sure that no voice is silenced; regardless of impairments and challenges, we are the pillars of those who need the most help.