Ricardo M. Jasso
President/CEO

Ricardo M. Jasso was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a focus in Ethnic Studies and a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling.  Ricardo was the Executive Director of Nosotros, Inc., inhalant abuse prevention and treatment organization, in San Antonio, Texas, where he created The Barrio Inhalant Abuse Typology Model.  Jasso also held the position of Executive Director at Luz Social Services, Inc. in Tucson, for eleven years.  With vision and determination, he strategically anchored Luz as a viable prevention resource for youth, adults, and families in the community.  Ricardo pioneered Luz’s cultural competency efforts and introduced the idea of formally recognizing and celebrating the Segundo de Febrero through an annual community luncheon that took place for ten years.  Jasso has worked for Pinal Hispanic Council in the rural communities of Eloy, Coolidge, and Casa Grande, evaluating various prevention program initiatives. 

Jasso founded and serves as President/CEO of Amistades, Inc.  Ricardo is also the Project Director for the Amistades Substance Abuse Coalition, a community education and outreach project focused on the prevention of underage drinking and substance abuse.  

Jasso has participated on many boards including the Chicano Alliance for Drug Abuse Programs Centro Cultural Aztlan, in San Antonio, Texas, where Segundo de Febrero was first founded in 1978.  He is a past board member of the Sahuaro Girl Scout Council.  Ricardo has also been a commissioner for the Pima County/Tucson Commission on Addiction, Treatment, and Prevention, an advisory board member for the Pima County Juvenile Department, and a committee member of Cinco de Mayo Con Orgullo.  Additionally, he was a steering committee member of the SAMHSA CSAP National Hispanic/Latino Initiative.

Ricardo has worked as a regional consultant for HUD providing drug prevention, treatment, and organizational management for Native American tribes in Oklahoma.  He has presented on the critical topic of cultural competence and conducted trainings throughout the United States and in Canada.  Jasso and Dr. Israel Cuellar copyrighted the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican-Americans, the first of its kind in the country.

With a career spanning 30 years in the areas of substance abuse, mental health, cultural competence, community mobilization, and organizational development, Ricardo M. Jasso is recognized as an asset to the community on local, regional, and national levels.

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Parenting Prevention Specialist

Melissa Gomez was born in Los Angeles, California, however has a strong tie to the Tucson community.  Growing up in Tucson, Melissa has made several bonds to the Tucson community. She is a recent graduate from the University of Arizona with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology.  She has experience in working with multi-ethnic families at a college level with the New Start Summer Program serving as a Peer Advisor, Resident Assistant and Undergraduate Hall Director. She was also involved in MERITS first year program as a Peer Advisor and Student Coordinator. Melissa has served the Tucson community as a Big Sister through the Big Brother Big Sister Program, as well as, serving as on the first Student Advisory Committee. She has also been mentor to Pueblo High School junior girls through Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, and has done many hours of community service through Tucson Clean and Beautiful.

Prevention Coordinator

Paul Cunningham joins Amistades with a vast experience in prevention programming. Cunningham worked as a School Safety Probation Officer in the Sunnyside Unified School District from 2001 until 2008.  Cunningham opened the Sierra Middle School Prevention Center as well as wrote several and facilitated many programs related to prevention and law related education.  Cunningham established the Teen Empowerment and Advocacy Movement (T.E.A.M.) Tucson in 2005 and assisted a group of teens in promoting healthy living. 

Cunningham authored the Hoop Dreams Curriculum and the Diversity of Oppression curriculum, modeled from the teachings of one of his mentors.  Cunningham established a reporting system incorporating the Arizona Youth Survey into the education system for the Sunnyside Unified School District enabling the District to tabulate tangible measures of progress in reducing Teenage Drug and Alcohol Abuse.  In his spare time Cunningham serves on the City of Tucson Council and spends time with his wife and two sons. 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Carlos Gonzalez, Aztlan Associates

Felicia Granillo-Mendivil, Raytheon

Ricardo M. Jasso, Amistades, Inc.

Francesca LoMonaco, Ocotillo Ridge Elementary School

Rene Salgado, R & S Enterprises

Steve Torres, SAFE, Inc.

PAST BOARD MEMBERS

Claudia Jasso-Stevens, Jasso Development & Planning, LLC

Harry Kressler, The Partnership