Jared Rivera Jared Rivera was born in the Californian Central Valley, before moving with his family to Southern California's Inland Empire at the age of 5. As a teenager, he became involved with issues of social justice through his high school involvement with MEChA, a Chicano student organization that seeks empowerment through education. He continued his involvement with this organization as a college student at UC Berkeley, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Welfare in 2000.
	Upon graduation, Jared began his career as an organizer with the California Nurses Association working on organizing drives and contract negotiations all over Southern California. After several years of union organizing, Jared joined LA Voice where he currently serves as Executive Director. LA Voice is the Los Angeles affiliate of the PICO National Network. The group organizes religious congregations to transform local communities throughout Los Angeles.