Crystal is a dedicated advocate for criminal justice reform, housing stability, and domestic violence policy change. After serving 16.5 years, she became an Alumnus of the Family Preservation Project (F.P.P.) and has since committed herself to making a meaningful impact in her community. She completed the Oregon Tradeswomen Pre-Apprenticeship program to then join Local 29 Ironworkers. As a Union Ironworker, she brings strength and resilience to her work both on and off the job site. Crystal’s advocacy extends through collaborations with the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS), P.S.U. Pathways Project, and Welcome Home where she works to help improve housing solutions, and the Oregon Justice Resource Center (OJRC) where she pushes for legislative changes to address domestic violence and domestic abuse.
Above all her proudest achievement is the ongoing healing and strengthening of her relationship with her daughter, La-Shuanta and her active presence in the lives of her two grandchildren. Crystal and her daughter together are breaking cycles, fostering resilience and building a future where families impacted by incarceration have the support they need to heal and thrive pulling from their lived experience of parental incarceration, homelessness, foster care and systems in place.