Leila Steinberg grew up in Los Angeles and feels a direct connection to the lives of the people she serves having attended schools and lived in neighborhoods overrun with poverty and violence. With over 20 years of work in the arts and as an educator, she has developed a series of specialized programs aimed at youth within the juvenile justice system and in residential treatment facilities. She has taught her programs in juvenile halls and jails, has led assemblies in Los Angeles and Chicago public schools. Ms. Steinberg has also taken her workshops to Sheffield, England and South Africa.

Mark Gonzales is a writer and spoken-word performer who just completed a Master's in Education at U.C.L.A., blending hip-hop culture and spoken word into pre-collegiate curriculum. He teaches at David Star Jordan high school in Watts and uses his art to spark dialogue among diverse audiences, to examine what is real and what is perceived in our sentiments about difference. An Alaskan-born Chicano, Mr. Gonzales has been a member of four national poetry slam teams, spoken for hundreds of events and traveled the world in search of stories. His writings record the realities of those denied access to publishing and media outlets. His work with AIM will help unite communities.

Karen Freedman is a graduate of U.C.L.A. where she majored in Art History. As Art Director to actor, director and artist Dennis Hopper, she participated in the promotion of the artist and organization of art exhibitions and publications throughout the United States and Europe including a retrospective spanning fifty years of his career. Her work with a Los Angeles area museum focused on bringing disadvantaged school children into the museum for art education and programs. Ms. Freedman saw the importance that all forms of art and creativity play in individual expression, learning and growth. She looks forward to helping AIM continue the amazing work they do and eventually introduce the program to larger audiences in more places.

Hala earned her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Religion from Columbia University and has a Master's degree Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. She wrote her thesis on using yoga and other complementary disciplines such as eco-psychology and somatics for self-empowerment to inspire a global shift towards peaceful and sustainable living. She is currently working toward a Doctorate in Somatic Psychology at Santa Barbara Graduate institute.

Cheryl Rich hails from Cleveland, Ohio. She graduated from Kent State University with a Fashion Design degree. Her minor in Psychology inspired Ms. Rich to move to California and earn a Master's in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University. Ms. Rich started working in individual, family, and group therapy at several respected therapeutic facilities in Los Angles and the surrounding counties. She also became a certified mediator, working with juveniles convicted of shoplifting. In addition to her training, Ms. Rich brings real life experience to her work with juvenile offenders. She grew up in similar circumstances and was exposed to the justice system during her formative years. Her story reinforces AIM's mission and the success of its educational programs.