ORLANDO "CHILI" MAYORGA

Justin

Sittin in a room hearing words like restorative justice, my responsibility, holistic, trauma informed. . . . one would think they were in a Government council meeting. But these words & more - spoken & unspoken - floated the the air in Cook County Jail, AKA The Dump. The Dump, where society squanders the most valuable resource it has. The Dump, where hate thrives & love dies. But here in the Dump, a cabal has formed, no longer an exception to the “Rule.” We are the standard to the “Rule!” With lights like Chili, we are making it out the dark. We are sitting in settings that were reserved for the elite, for white suburbia. . . . We are healing because at the helm are people who’ve gone thru their own healing, they’ve propped open the doors to our voices, the doors to free the pain.

Francisco

Chili, I felt the vibe of your story and transformation as I’ve begun my own. What resonated with me most was how you were able to have enough control over your emotions to not retaliate on those who made threats because you knew you wanted a different life. Although I haven’t been saying “healed people heal people,” I have been practicing it with my life.

Owen

-His message of healing & love was on point.

-Great message, down-to-earth people.

-Gotta see the success of those that I’ve been there, inspiring & encouraging.

-Thoroughly enjoyed.