MEET The team
PHILLIP RODRIGUEZ • Founder & CEO
Before God came into his heart, Phillip lived without hope—simply existing while consumed by gangs, drugs, prison, and violence. In 2009, someone reached out and offered him hope through God, and that moment changed the course of his life forever.
Today, Phillip is the founder of New Hope For Youth, where he is dedicated to transforming the lives of young men, women, and families impacted by gangs, drugs, violence, incarceration, and both physical and spiritual poverty. Having overcome his own struggles, he now reaches back to those who feel lost, helping them see that a better tomorrow is possible. Through his work, Phillip is shifting culture and creating a lasting impact in the San Jose community.
Phillip has been married to his wife, Annette, for 20 years and is the proud father of five children. He enjoys a career that allows him to serve others, live out his purpose, and bring hope to those who need it most.
MARIO AGUILAR • School Base Lead
Mario grew up in a blended family with seven siblings, an upbringing that shaped his deep appreciation for the value of family. Despite facing significant challenges—including time in the system and reliance on welfare—education was not a priority for him until his late teens.
In his early twenties, after beginning to attend church, Mario developed a strong passion for serving others and giving back. This shift led him to pursue higher education, and in 2005 he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Ministry.
Working with youth holds a special place in Mario’s heart, as his life experiences allow him to connect with them on multiple levels. Through mentoring and community involvement, Mario is committed to guiding young people with understanding, compassion, and the lessons he’s learned along his own journey.
NANCY VASQUEZ • Social Services Lead
Meet Nancy, Lead for our SSA program. She grew up in the city of San Jose, where she witnessed firsthand the challenges many youth and families face in underserved communities. These early experiences shaped her deep commitment to ensuring that families in her community have access to their basic needs and the support they deserve.
As a mother, Nancy brings both personal insight and empathy to her work, understanding the realities of raising and supporting a family while navigating complex systems. Her lived experiences allow her to connect with families on a genuine and personal level, building trust and meaningful relationships rooted in respect and understanding.
Nancy is a trained Circle Keeper Facilitator and Cara y Corazón Facilitator, where she helps create safe, healing, and empowering spaces for youth and families to share their voices, build community, and foster resilience. Through her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to community-centered care, Nancy works to uplift families and support them as they strengthen their paths toward stability and well-being.
ANNETTE RODRIGUEZ • Director of Programs
Annette is a devoted wife to Phillip Rodriguez, a loving mother and grandmother, and a passionate advocate for transformation and hope. Annette has a deep calling to serve individuals struggling with substance abuse, those at risk, and those entangled in destructive gang lifestyles.
Through her own life experiences, Annette found freedom from drugs and gangs through her faith in God and the support of others. She has remained clean and sober since 2006 and has dedicated her life to giving back to the community that once helped her find her way.
Annette pursued her education at San Jose City College, earning her CAADAC, and continues to further her studies in Criminal Justice. With an unwavering belief in the power of change, she is committed to walking alongside others on their journey to healing, restoration, and a better future.
RIKKO DOLIDA • School Base Lead
Rikko grew up in San Jose, where he saw firsthand the challenges many young people face in underserved communities. His personal experiences, along with his education, inspired him to help create better opportunities for at-risk youth.
He earned an AA in Social & Behavioral Science as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, giving him a strong understanding of how families, communities, and social systems impact young people’s lives. By combining his lived experiences with what he learned in school, Rikko brings real understanding, compassion, and practical knowledge to his work.
Through mentorship and advocacy, Rikko is committed to supporting and guiding youth as they overcome challenges, build confidence, and work toward a brighter future.
SELINA CASSIANO • Re Entry Lead
JANELLE ROMAN • Administrative Assistant
“See you at the top” is just one of the many inspiring phrases Janelle lives by. When you’ve come from the places she has, “the top” can feel distant—or even impossible. Being dealt a tough hand makes pushing through life’s adversities even harder, especially in a society that often judges people by their past. Yet Janelle is living proof that your start does not have to be your finish.
Through both her lived experience and her professional training as a certified Patient Care Technician, Janelle leads with compassion, resilience, and purpose. With the support of her loving husband, Janelle is raising three kings and showing them—and her community—what strength, growth, and resilience look like, especially for young women who struggle to see beyond the pain of today.
Janelle is a beacon of light, reminding us all to “just keep it pushing.” Even the dimmest light can pierce through darkness. The top is where she’s headed—no turning back now. She has come too far.
JACOB VILLARUEL • Street Outreach Lead
Growing up in San Jose, Jacob faced struggles at a young age in his community and at home. From alcohol and his gang environment that shaped much of his early life to becoming a young parent while still a child himself, his personal experience with gun violence was another moment that forced him to confront the reality of the streets and the weight of his choices.
In 2008, he made the decision to get sober and choose a different direction for his life. In 2009, he earned his Barber License, discovering it’s not just a career but a trade that gave him stability, discipline and purpose. That same path led him to connect with the founder of New Hope For Youth, a relationship that would further shape his future.
Not long after joining New Hope For Youth, he gave his life to God and committed myself to growth, accountability and purpose. Today, Jacob's lived experience allows him to connect authentically with those searching for purpose, striving to overcome life’s challenges and looking for opportunity. Through mentorship, positive guidance and building strong support systems, Jacob helps others see the value of transformation and the power of learning a trade as another pathway to a better future.
FELIX CARREON • Santa Rosa Lead