BS in Psychology

Juan Pacheco, 2013

Juan Pacheco has invested his life working and volunteering as the East coast representative for Barrios Unidos, a youth violence prevention/intervention and community awareness organization. Barrios Unidos believes that by drawing upon the resources of adults and older youth who have made it out of the “street life,” youth are encouraged to choose life-affirming behavior, positive self-esteem, constructive goals, supportive community, and cultural pride.

Pacheco has also worked as community liaison for World Vision’s Community Mobilization Initiative (CMI). His role in World Vision helped the CMI program attain the title of “Best Practices in Gang Prevention Program,” highlighted in the study, “Dare to Care – Community-Based Responses to Youth Gang Violence in Central America and Central American Immigrant Communities in the United States.” His most recent work with the Latin American Youth center, exposed the world to the poverty and violence immigrant youth face which propels their dangerous journey to the United States in a book he helped come to fruition called, “Voces Sin Fronteras: Our Stories, Our Truth.”

Pacheco is currently embarking on a journey to establish coffee farms in El Salvador to create economic development for local/regional communities.  

Pacheco holds a bachelor of science degrees in biology, psychology, and nursing from George Mason University and was a graduate of the university’s Early Identification Program. He also has an associate’s degree in science from Northern Virginia Community College.

He has received numerous awards and recognitions for his work and volunteer service in the community, especially in relation to gang prevention and intervention and nonviolence initiatives.