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John O. Whitaker, Jr. CATC II

John O. Whitaker, Jr. CATC II

location of John O. Whitaker, Jr. CATC IISanta Clarita, California, United States

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  • Timeline

  • About me

    President, Paso Por Paso, Inc.

  • Education

    • Brigham Young University

      1982 - 1986
      Bachelor of Arts - BA Communication and Media Studies 3.3

      Activities and Societies: Sigma Epsilon, Tad Danielewski's Actor's Studio

    • Pierce College

      2002 - 2004
      CDS Addiction Studies

      Activities and Societies: Creator, Developer and Webmaster for the Addiction Studies Website ... www.addictionstudies.info Graduated

    • Brigham Young University

      1977 - 1986
      BA Communications - Television/Film Studies

      Activities and Societies: Sigma Epsilon KBYU TV News Crew Director/Assistant Director Tad Danielewski - Actors Group and Directors GroupLos Angeles and Provo, Utah

  • Experience

    • Brigham Young University

      Jan 1978 - Jan 1986

      Studying and making films and theatre Was in the Provo Actor's Studio led by Tad Danielewski. Worked in the BYU News Department as Director and Chryon Operator. Directed and Produced a Series Pilot and Directed and produced a few plays and perforances.

      • Student

        Jan 1978 - Jan 1986

      • Student

        Jan 1978 - Jan 1986

    • CAWSO

      Jan 2000 - Jan 2008
      Former SFVCA Delegate

      Helped the 12 Step program create norms and suggested rules and regulations regarding working with the public

    • Paso Por Paso, Inc.

      Feb 2003 - now

      Chief Cook and Bottle Washer - EVERYTHING. Mainly helping individuals find treatment resources, going to courts to advocate for treatment in lieu of incarceration. Go to LA City Hall, LA County, Sacramento, other Capitals and Washington DC to fight for Treatment - I also have begun a documentary on the Portuguese Drug Policy We do support services for those individuals for whom English is NOT their primary language and/or Spiritual Language. With Paso Por Paso, it is our mission to help the Hispanic Addict/Alcholic find treatment and recovery in their own language.Tratamiento y Recuperacion en Su Idioma

      • President/CEO

        Feb 2003 - now

      • President & Founder

        Feb 2003 - now

    • Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc. Tarzana, CA

      Oct 2005 - Jun 2012
      Counselor III - Alumni Coordinator/AWARE Liaison

      No longer working for this organization

    • A New PATH

      Jan 2011 - now
      Director - A New PATH LA

      Returned from Washington D.C. where A New PATH received the Joel Hernandez Award from Faces and Voices of Recovery! A New PATH works to reduce the stigma associated with addictive illness through education and compassionate support, and to advocate for therapeutic rather than punitive drug policies. We are a non-profit advocacy organization of parents, concerned citizens, individuals in recovery, healthcare professionals and community leaders working together to educate the public, media and decision makers about the true nature of the disease of addiction, and to expand access to treatment services. We advocate to end discriminatory drug policies that serve as roadblocks to recovery.A New PATH strives to assure access to quality cost-effective addiction treatment services, lessen the harms associated with addictive illness, reduce recidivism, save lives and move towards a healthier society, free from discriminatory drug policies, violent crime and wasted lives." Show less

    • Alcohol Justice

      Sept 2011 - Dec 2020
      Member of the Board of Directors

      Formerly on the executive board, but mostly supporting the LADAPA and CAPA and putting in my $0.02 when asked and sometimes when not asked

    • CAWSO, Inc.

      Jan 2013 - May 2014
      Special Projects Coordinator

      A Fellowship of Men and Women who share their experience strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and recovery from addiction to all mind-altering substances.Work includes all special projects including but not limited to facilitating the translation of all C.A. approved literature. Working on organizing of literature and publishing of new literature projects.

    • Amity Foundation

      Jul 2014 - Jul 2015
      Amity @ LAC Lancaster Prison - Re-Entry Program Counselor

      My first IN CUSTODY Counseling Position. We will be working on this Level IV Yard helping the guys learn about Therapeutic Community and how we can help them to Re-Enter the REAL WORLD.Unfortunately, due to new projects and new horizons I had to leave working with these guys that just want a change and a chance to show their resolution to change. Let's give it to them, PLEASE!!

  • Licenses & Certifications

  • Honors & Awards

    • Awarded to John O. Whitaker, Jr. CATC II
      Joel Hernandez Award - A New PATH Faces and Voices of Recovery - Washington D.C. Jun 2013 The Joel Hernandez award honors a champion whose protest in the face of discrimination inspires us all. For 25 years, Joel Hernandez worked in the electronics industry at Raytheon. After testing positive for cocaine in 1991, Joel resigned his position to prevent being fired. After he found recovery and with the support of his family, he applied for his old position at Raytheon. He found he faced a lifetime ban for employment at the company after receiving a card in the mail saying his… Show more The Joel Hernandez award honors a champion whose protest in the face of discrimination inspires us all. For 25 years, Joel Hernandez worked in the electronics industry at Raytheon. After testing positive for cocaine in 1991, Joel resigned his position to prevent being fired. After he found recovery and with the support of his family, he applied for his old position at Raytheon. He found he faced a lifetime ban for employment at the company after receiving a card in the mail saying his application had been denied.Joel fought hard to return to his old workplace and to help others in the future. His fight to get his job back under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) went all of the way to the US Supreme Court in a suit that he filed to regain the chance to compete for any job he had been qualified for in 25 years of being employed.In 2004, a settlement in Joel’s favor was reached before it was ever brought before a jury. “People in recovery from addiction, their families and friends know that there is hope for every one of us, in spite of our past history. When I decided to sue Raytheon, I wanted to let others know that recovery works, and that we can give a good, positive message that we can be productive, tax-paying citizens,” Hernandez stated.Joel’s fight to restore a basic civil right ignited the recovery movement and goes down as a pivotal moment in our history. Faces & Voices of Recovery honors this remarkable man, Joel Hernandez, who championed recovery advocacy until he passed away from cancer in February 2006 Show less