Engage Edwin “Chino” Ortiz for Your Next Event

Edwin “Chino” Ortiz is a resilient advocate for justice reform and a beacon of hope for individuals impacted by mass incarceration.  After serving an arduous 30-year sentence and undeterred by his own tribulations, Edwin emerged as a catalyst for change. 

 

Today, he stands as the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Returning Citizens Support Group, Inc., a grassroots organization based in Newark, NJ, the founder of a community development organization focused on affordable housing, and as a sought-after speaker. Learn more about Edwin.

 

His lived experience combined with educational outreach offers unique perspectives that resonate deeply, especially with youth, educators, law students, justice-impacted community members, legal professionals, judges, legislators, and community leaders shaping justice systems.

 

Edwin has spoken at major universities such as NYU, Rutgers University, and Princeton University, legal system associations and probation departments, youth groups and community organizations, among others, broadening awareness of criminal justice realities.  He regularly appears for keynotes, trainings, panels and dialogue groups.

 

Edwin prioritizes spaces that recognize and respect the humanity of system-impacted people, fostering dialogue that challenges stereotypes and encourages empathy.

 

His vision includes creating a system focused on healing and transformation rather than punishment, aiming to disrupt cycles of violence and incarceration in marginalized communities