Jose A. Perez, MPS (he/him), is the project manager at Children’s Defense Fund-NY, where he uses his lived experience in the child welfare and youth justice systems to amplify young people’s voices. He advocates for housing, economic mobility, and self-determination for system-involved youth. At CDF-NY, Jose leads a youth action collective, managing $1,000 in direct cash payments to 100 young adults who aged out of the foster care system in NYC. He is a sought-after subject matter expert, speaking at venues like the New York State Capitol, Howard University, Columbia University, the New York Judicial Institute, and the White House.
Jose also serves on the NYC District Attorney’s Reentry Council Board and is a spoken word artist and actor.