Staff: Roland Reyes

Roland was born in Brooklyn, New York, to immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic. Being a first-generation American, he was always motivated to excel academically and succeed in his career to make his family proud. Roland earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice degree from Kean University, a testament to his early interests and passion for social justice. He has spent most of his career in criminal justice, social work, and state government roles.

Roland lived in New York and New Jersey for the majority of his life, and he moved to the Austin, TX area with his now wife in 2017, as they both wanted to pursue better career opportunities and an improved standard of living. They are both big animal lovers and currently live with a lively group of pets, including 3 dogs, 2 cats, and a sulcata tortoise. They are also passionate about animal welfare causes, and they have been fostering dogs from local shelters and rescues for the past 7 years.

Outside of work and caring for his animals, Roland likes to dive into his hobbies. He loves 3D-printing and painting model kits, video games, and classic action movies. He also enjoys meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds, and he is always up for a good conversation. Roland is excited to become part of the Friends of the Children team, and he is committed to making a positive change in the lives of local children and empowering them to achieve their dreams.