Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Anthony.
Crystal, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and Raised in San Diego County specifically in Escondido and then moved to Oceanside/Vista. My mom immigrated to the United States from Mexico. My biological father has been incarcerated for most of my life but my childhood was anything but perfect. My mom and I are survivors of very dark memories of my childhood. My mom is my best friend she is my strength and my hero. My grandmother and my mom poured love into my soul creating the complete feeler you would meet today. I feel deeply and I find it as a strength for the work I do today. I am a Clinical Social Worker for the County of Orange and provides expert training on human trafficking, and trauma-specific treatment for individual and group prevention and intervention for youth in juvenile detention facilities. I was previously the Program Coordinator for North County Lifeline’s Project LIFE program their Human Trafficking Program, located in North San Diego County. I received my Masters in Social Work from the University of Southern California and Bachelors in Political Science with a minor in Global Studies from California State University San Marcos.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has not been smooth. You will always have people and some who will doubt visions and the ability to dream of change. I think that can be even greater for women, I know I have felt it many times. But keep pushing forward, keep your head up even when people doubt, know your purpose and don’t let titles hold you back from growing. Be creative and most importantly be yourself. I like to use what many of my friends and colleagues call “crystalisms “ and I remember many years ago someone told me that I needed to stop speaking like that because people were not going to take me seriously. I kept being me and using fun things like “RTR” or “raise the roof” in meetings and other fun little things. I didn’t change, I didn’t let what that person thought to change me. I will tell you I’ve had more people start saying those crystalisms and actually it doesn’t take away from my brain and knowledge that just one of my quirks. I would walk into task force meetings with law enforcement and federal agencies and Be accepted. So, be YOU! Your authentic self.
Please tell us about County of Orange Health Care Agency.
I developed North County Lifeline’s program for current victims and survivors of human trafficking to serve both domestic and international victims and established collaborative relationships amongst law enforcement and federal agencies, community and other service providers to provide the best level of care throughout San Diego. My efforts to combat human trafficking were recognized and the agency was awarded the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award for the collaborative work I had done in providing 24/7 on-call services to local and federal law enforcement for emergency cases involving victims of Human Trafficking, and providing long-term intensive case management and counseling services.
I provided training and community awareness for Human Trafficking and had implemented the first on-going groups at Juvenile Detention facility to provide groups for adolescents girls that are at risk or have been involved with Human Trafficking as well as for young men in probation schools to prevent the exploitation of young boys and girls. I was awarded the women helping women Ruby Award from the Soroptimist Club for my work in human trafficking and advocacy efforts in the community and the Pillar of Strength Award from North County Lifeline for my efforts to combat human trafficking. I am committed to the empowerment of all people and strives to be a voice for the voiceless that lead me into my current work in Orange County Juvenile Hall; I am a therapist in Orange County juvenile hall and I am specifically assigned to kids units in juvenile hall considered the highest security because they hold my boys who are being charged as adults or are currently fighting their 707 hearings (to either stay or go to adult court).
I actually came across this unit when I decided to implement Empowering Young Men group a prevention group to teach young men about Human Trafficking. I gained rapport and trust within the group and then began my journey of meeting with them and doing art projects with them. My eyes were opened to a world unseen of my boys who people had already given up on because they were headed to prison. I didn’t have to beg my kids to do therapy they willingly met with me. I became a yoga teacher and began to do mindfulness programs with them and restorative and trauma-informed yoga.
Something was working I was then assigned the unit that housed all of my boys being tried as adults. I began to collaborate and work with probation to try something new and “innovative.” Offering programs to the kids headed to prison, some people didn’t quite get it or understand why my resources and time were being spent with kids who in their eyes didn’t need it as much as the kids getting out. Well, I’m 2016 proposition, 57 was passed and a new wave of hope ran into the detention facility specifically with my kids. They were being given a chance to come back to juvenile court.
My kids are incredible young men and I’ve had the ability and honor to have many of my inspirational friends in the community come and share with them. From actors to poets to artists to dance artists, pastors and most recently in the past two years launched a small barbering program! The kids have discovered new talents and artistic things about themselves. Art through dance, drawing, painting, poetry, rap, singing, barbering, etc. has been a healing tool for them. I do EMDR, trauma-informed yoga, Meditation, and mindfulness as I have seen that therapy through talking isn’t the only way to heal but expanded with various arts! Poetry has been big for them and expressing themselves in ways they never thought possible!
I continue to bring in speakers who bring hope and change and encouragement through grace with various forms and growing within themselves to be able to be successful when they possibly get released. The biggest thing is believing in them and in many ways, they have begun to see themselves as worthy of love. A year ago in March 2017, I started a special event for them and brought in barbers and painter and pastor for a “Self-love and Empowerment Day”, it was so rad to see their self-esteem show through their eyes and faces feeling like “normal” kids. It expanded as a once a month event and in December, we collaborated with community and had our first fashion show!
Not just any fashion show but one with the highest security youth. Many are looking at a serious time, but that does not define who they are in any way they are incredible and beyond talented and remarkable kids who I have had the opportunity of seeing grow and change! I am known for being Crystal and going above and beyond for my kids. My kids like to tell me I give them hope and that might be the greatest accomplishment to date.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
Women should have access to all jobs! It can be seen in media today that when women participate in basically anything it can bring about change and movement. Women can be influential and a dynamic force in male-dominated arenas. We have a lot to bring to the table.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 7604459019
- Email: crystalanthony17@gmail.com
- Instagram: Crysanthony
- Other: https://www.goodtroublemag.com/home/these-high-security-kids-staged-a-fashion-show-in-prison
Image Credit:
James Mooney
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