Staff
Xochitl Bervera, Esq., Co-Director
Xochitl Bervera, Co-Director with Families and Friends of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children (FFLIC). Ms. Bervera spent two years as a Soros Justice Fellow working with Grassroots Leadership and FFLIC to develop and implement southern, statewide strategies for radical criminal justice reform by linking community based, direct action organizing and the law. Xochitl is a trained facilitator specializing in campaign development aimed at helping coalitions and grassroots organizations strategically build power to win.
Prior to coming to the South, Xochitl spent several years in New York where she combined studying with anti-war organizing, juvenile defense work in the Bronx and staffing a legal clinic for gay and lesbian youth. Prior to New York, Xochitl spent several years in Oakland, California as a youth organizer and director of UNYTE - an organization of homeless and formerly homeless youth fighting for justice in their communities, and as Program Director for We Interrupt This Message providing training and technical assistance for social justice organizations to better utilize the media to support their work and campaigns.
Xochitl has a BA from Sarah Lawrence College and a JD from NYU School of Law.
Gina Womack, Co-Director, Co-Founder
Gina Womack, co-director and co-founder of Families and Friends of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children (FFLIC). Gina first came to JJPL as the Office Administrator, Bookkeeper. However in 2001, Gina founded FFLIC along with other parent members, became lead organizer and began to conduct extensive community outreach efforts, recruiting participants and facilitating meetings as less than ½ time employee dedicated to FFLIC. She was lead organizer of FFLIC's mock Jazz Funeral with parents along with various other direct action events that gave FFLIC a voice within Legislation and has allowed parents to recognize their voice and hence, their power.
Prior to joining JJPL, Gina served as the office administrator at the Epilepsy Council of Southeast Louisiana which fought to reduce the stigma associated with Epilepsy. Gina has over 16 years of not for profit experience.
Gina now serves on the Louisiana Indigent Defenders Assistance Board (LIDAB) and is a 2006 Petra Foundation Fellow.
Grace Bauer, Statewide Community Organizer
Grace Bauer, a statewide Community Organizer. Grace first came to FFLIC as a parent in 2001 and right away became an instrumental member as she began recruiting new members, providing peer advocacy, leadership development and campaign organizing with parents of incarcerated children in the Lake Charles area. In October 2004, Grace was hired with FFLIC to become the first parent staff member. Prior to joining FFLIC, Grace worked with Families Helping Families in Lake Charles, La. as Program Coordinator, There she advocated for children & families in a wide range of service systems, planned workshops and empowered families to successfully advocate for their children.
Damekia Morgan, New Orleans Chapter Director Photo Coming Soon!
Damekia Morgan, Orleans Parish Director, joined the FFLIC staff in 2006. A New Orleans born and raised native who believes in advocating and fighting for the well being of all children and families. Damekia worked with FFLIC’s ally Agenda for Children as a Training Manager, Parent Counselor, Program Director. During her time at Agenda she also developed a program for low income families (PRE-CCAP) which has now been adopted by the State of Louisiana, Dept. of Social Services. She also spent 2 years as a school teacher in the New Orleans Public School system, in an effort to continuously be engaged in advocating for children and families.