At the heart of the San Diego Workforce Partnership’s Reentry Works services are three passionate advocates who bring lived experience, deep empathy and relentless commitment to supporting justice-impacted individuals: Dee Dorsey, director of population-specific programs, program specialist Izzy Moreno and Shannon White. Below, Izzy and Shannon share how powerful meaningful reentry support can transform lives—not just for those who’ve been incarcerated, but for families, communities, and entire systems.
“Workforce development isn’t the end of the journey for justice-impacted individuals, it’s the beginning.”
Dee Dorsey
What inspired you to pursue a career in human services?
I’ve been in human services for over 20 years. Championing and connecting communities with resources have always been part of who I am. I was raised in City Heights, and helping the community is a family legacy. My grandmother, Dr. LA Gonzales was my mentor. She was an educator, an advocate for disadvantaged youth and a transformational leader.
She worked with the Casey Foundation and even did missionary work. I still remember one of her speaking engagements, a moment when she stood with fire and grace. That image etched itself into my soul, a memory that continues to stir and inspire me. Watching her lead and serve made me believe I could do anything.
How does your team work together to address the challenges the justice-impacted community faces?
Having team members like Izzy and Shannon, each of us bringing our own superpower. We align our strengths to better support not only our participants but also our partners. That collaboration makes us more strategic in delivering our services and expanding our reach.
What is your personal philosophy when it comes to workforce development and reentry?
Workforce development isn’t the end of the journey for justice-impacted individuals, it’s the beginning. It’s a tool they can use to rebuild, recover and reenter society. Employment plays a major role in reducing recidivism and is essential for recovery.
We understand that many of our participants have experienced systemic trauma. That’s why we’re certified as Individual Placement and Support (IPS) practitioners. We don’t just help people find jobs; we meet them where they are with empathy and understanding.
“I get to wake up every day and help people who’ve been where I’ve been.”
Izzy Moreno
Can you share a bit about your background and what motivated you to work in workforce development, specifically supporting justice-impacted individuals?
I started doing this work when I was 21. I was in L.A., working in Skid Row, just trying to help struggling folks. I was doing case management, helping people get back on their feet. Later, I moved to San Diego in 2004 and got into welfare-to-work programs. That’s where I started helping people with workforce development, and I’ve been doing it ever since.
Because I’ve been through it, I know what it feels like to come out and have no help. No one was there for me. No one told me I could work again or build confidence. Now, I get to be that person for others. I wake up every day and help people who’ve been where I’ve been. I love being an advocate, a mentor, someone who says, “Hey, you can do this.”
How does our program help address these barriers?
We meet people before they even get out, we’re in jails teaching soft skills and hard skills, prepping them. When they’re released, they already know how to build a résumé or talk to an employer. Sometimes, it’s basic stuff like showing them how to use a smartphone.
One woman I worked with used to be a medical assistant. Because of her charges, getting back into the field seemed impossible. But we made it happen in eight months. We educated the employer and showed them who this woman really was. Once they met him, that cloud of stigma disappeared.
“When the right support is in place, everything changes.”
Shannon White
Can you share a bit about your background and what motivated you to work in workforce development, specifically supporting justice-impacted individuals?
My career began at the Phoenix House Foundation, where I worked with adolescent males who were involved in the justice system. This experience significantly shaped my professional journey. I had limited involvement with the Substance Use Assessment Unit, but at the same time, I was working at a Medication-Assisted Treatment Program, where I focused on harm reduction strategies. Additionally, I worked with pregnant women who were incarcerated, which was also an important aspect of my job there. In 2023, I joined the San Diego Workforce Partnership.
As a teenager, I struggled with substance use and engaged in criminal behavior. I also had family members who were affected by the justice system. Having personal experience with how a lack of support impacts individuals and families. even though I ultimately overcame these challenges. I realize that if we had access to the right resources when I was younger, my experience could have been very different. That’s why I do this. When those support systems are it changes everything, not just for the individual, but for their family.
What are some key challenges justice-impacted individuals face when reentering the workforce?
When someone is incarcerated, especially for a long time, they’re coming back into a world that’s moved on without them. They’ve adapted to the structure of incarceration, and now they have to adjust all over again—how to live, how to work, how to interact in a new environment.
Many come out with just the $200 in gate money. That might get you home, or sadly, might be used to relapse. It’s not enough to rebuild a life. And if they were supporting a family before, that financial burden shifts to someone else while they’re away. It all adds up.
How do you collaborate with employers to create opportunities for those in the program?
Education is a big part of it. We talk to employers about the Fair Chance Act, about tax incentives, and about the value of hiring someone who’s deeply motivated to change their life. We also invite them to our job fairs, where they can meet our participants in person. Once they have that face-to-face interaction, their perspective often shifts.
We also developed a resource packet for employers to better understand what it means to be a Fair Chance employer. It’s about meeting people where they are and creating opportunities that benefit everyone.