The world changers behind the vision.
Jose Rodriguez
CEO
Growing up in the inner city, Jose Rodriguez was faced with many of the same challenges that students are faced with today. Impacted by his environment he made some poor choices. He joined a gang, got arrested for stealing cars, and even was suspended from school pretty regularly. His story is one that many can relate to today but it is a story of a complete turnaround.
Jose now is the founder and CEO of Rescue a Generation Inc., a non-profi t that focuses on reaching students who are struggling in school due to behavior, suspensions, and family issues. He is a well sought out motivational speaker who speaks to students in a variety of venues across the nation. His passion for young people, authenticity, and boldness gives him the tools to effectively rescue this generation.
Erica Rodriguez
COO
Erica Rodriguez is an incredibly gifted speaker who has traveled the world to help those who are marginalized and in need. Shaped through her own trials and circumstances, her mission is to empower and equip others to find beauty and purpose in their brokenness.
She currently works in our organization, “Rescue a Generation,” as director of Donor Development. Erica has been a team member of a global organization called Hour of Power for the past few years and is currently their live-stream host. She has also had the opportunity to speak at Conferences, Youth Events, and Churches around the world. With her passion to love people, she is determined to use her voice, share her story and preach the Gospel.
Brandon Allen
Program Director
Brandon Allen, born in Memphis, TN, the effects of addiction and struggles that stem from it, played a part in what led to many poor decisions, pride, and continued failures, that eventually ended with homelessness. Feeling muted and hopeless, he searched for an answer to the hovering question: “why don’t I just give up?” Then, in 2009 he had an encounter with God that changed the trajectory of his life.
As a father, nationally renowned poet, TEDx Speaker, Youth Pastor, and author – as you journey with Brandon you’ll learn exactly what happens “WHEN THUNDER SPEAKS!” His passion for Christ and burden for young people is fresh wind to a dead generation. His creative vision can be seen in the works of his clothing line PA Apparel, poetry, and his life’s mission of being a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Nelson McClintock
Coach 3
“California made, New Jersey raised.” Nelson McClintock credits growing up on both sides of the country for the man he has become today. Moving often and not having his father physically in the picture after a young age lead to behavior issues for Nelson. Like many students, he didn’t know how to process and constructively handle his emotions, which lead to many fights and suspensions in school. His journey is one that many young people today can identify with, but unwavering hope, faith, and hard work are what got him here today.
The differences in pace and values in the places Nelson grew up, helped him learn various ways to understand and relate to diverse walks of life. That same understanding is what gives Nelson the ability to build meaningful relationships. His passion for sports and coaching help him lead with respect and honor, something that all students feel naturally. Nelson wears many hats for RAG, he is too gifted to be put in a single box. He is a Student Coach, our Creative Director, and the Public Relations Manager for Rescue A Generation, Inc. His determination and dedication to embrace the shepherding grace upon his life is why Nelson will help rescue this generation.
Rashad Schaffer
Coach 2
Born in San Diego California, Rashad Schaffer was one of two siblings, raised by a single mother. Growing up, he struggled with identity issues due to the lack of male presence in his life. To that end, Rashad went on a journey to discover himself through women, friends, and hanging in the streets. Although he was raised in the church, he’d only experienced Sunday morning experiences, but lacked true heart transformation–thus, it became a ritual, with no authentic relationship with God.
In 2011, he had a moment that changed the entire trajectory of his life and much of who he is today can be accredited to the decision he made to become better. Since then, Rashad has devoted most of his time not only to the local church, but also community outreach, where real change is needed. With his passion to see father’s back in homes, strong camaraderie within inner cities; Rashad believes, “His job isn’t done until we reimagine what it means to be a man in the 21st Century!”
Chris Butcher
Coach 1/ Internship Coordinator
Chris grew up in the inner city, raised by a single mother, with the help of his grandparents. Growing up, he had a moral understanding of knowing right from wrong, largely due to receiving sound guidance from his grandfather who was likened to a father. Chris also says, given that his mother cultivated a firm foundation within their home it has helped tremendously in his success by paving the way for him to build, become and believe.
Later on in life, Chris went on to becoming a 3-sport athlete and Honor Roll student during his High School career. Granting him the opportunity to play college football as a result of staying focused, a great deal of determination, and refusing to let his former environment dictate his future. Today, Chris is a loving husband, father, and Youth Pastor who uses his past experiences to empower students to not allow negative situations to shape who they can become. With his passion for the next generation, he is dedicated to pouring in as many young students as possible. Chris’ future is bright, he is thrilled about what’s to come and ready to rock!
Eric Smith
Creative Director
Eric Smith was born and raised in Inglewood, CA. He considers himself a Grandma’s Boy who navigated the foster care system of Los Angeles County, where he mostly spent time in after-school programs where he developed his creativity.
Prior to joining the team, Eric served as the Cinematic Arts Department Assistant for one of the top High School Cinematic Arts programs in the country. Eric also has a unique background as a Creative Director, responsible for managing creative stakeholders and creating content for the organizations. He even served as the Site Director for several after-school programs in South LA where he was responsible for managing staff, equipment, community engagement, and outreach and assisting up to 200 students daily. Eric has been working with creative youth for over 6 years. Today, Eric currently serves as a faithful husband, Creative Director for both RAG and his church, Social Media Influencer, and lover of this generation. Eric is happy to be on the team where he can combine his love for creativity and youth!
Jocqui Dixon
Coach 1
Jocqui Autry-Dixon was raised in New Jersey, spent his adolescence in North Carolina, before he and his family arrived at his current place of residence, California. Growing up in three vastly different states gave him a unique outlook on life. He has experienced the inner city, the country, and both wealthy and impoverished areas. He has lived in safe and dangerous neighborhoods… and at one point of his life was homeless. With the various changes he experienced and the highs and lows of life; he was determined to learn from every environment and situation he’s come across, and at the same time impact others along his journey.
Jocqui wears multiple hats from being a Basketball Coach, Audio Engineer, Musician, and Music Producer. He would describe himself as, “The Lowkey Soprano C. Always keeping it on a high note.” Being one of the youngest members on the RAG. staff, he plans to bring innovation and fresh perspective to the team. With his passion for youth, Jocqui is eager to help the next generation understand and live out their purpose and let them know that they too can be successful and impact the world around them.
Pablo Bautista
Coach 1
Pablo Bautista was born and raised in San Bernardino, Ca. He comes from a loving Christian household but that didn’t stop him from going down the wrong path as he got older. Growing up Pablo never seemed to fit in with the “cool” kids but always looked for acceptance in the wrong places. Losing his identity to the world he went down a path of fear, insecurity and feeling unworthy of someone’s love. Every summer he would volunteer faithfully at his home church. It was there where he found two mentors that continued to pour into his life. Once he graduated high school he recruited his life to Christ and ended up answering his call to ministry and going to bible college.
Now Pablo Lives in Los Angeles and his passion is to help young people who feel overlooked and undervalued that they have a purpose and a calling from God. He wants to make the same impact on students that was made on him by his two mentors when he was in high school. With RAG he is able to do that with his position as a coach.Whether its a young person with the same story as him that grew up in church with both parents or one who comes from a broken household that has never been to church Pablo doesn’t want to let any student go unnoticed and make sure that they feel the same love and support that he did when he was in high school.
Jessica Morales
Coach 1
Jessica grew up as a first generation Latina, in a single parent household. During most of her upbringing she learned to grow up quickly and care for others. Wrestling with a lot of trauma throughout her childhood, Jessica learned resilience, empathy, and compassion. In her early twenties everything she had planned for career wise made a huge turn after her first encounter with God.
Now, Jessica is a leader, speaker, and multi faceted creator in various levels and areas of ministry. As a Young Adult Ministry Coordinator she is notorious for her unique ability to raise up leaders and world changers from the places you’d least expect to look. Jessica is passionate about seeing, encouraging and empowering the church of today to break generational curses in order to create a life beyond survival mode — but the abundant, free life that grace allows for us.
Isaiah Ibañez
Coach/Program Assistant
Isaiah Ibañez was born in Los Angeles, CA, and moved to the Inland Empire at nine because his parents wanted to give their five children a better upbringing than they had growing up. Unfortunately, “the better life” still had deep roots of physical and verbal abuse, by which Isaiah quickly identified himself with shame, fear, and isolation. It wasn’t until the end of his senior year of high school that Isaiah began to consider attending college. Isaiah attended Vanguard University of Southern California. Little did Isaiah know that Vanguard University would be the place in which he would receive the mentorship he longed for and the counseling that would help him navigate his past trauma. Isaiah now serves as a Life Coach and a Program Assistant at Rescue a Generation. As you journey with Isaiah, you will find that he is passionate about meeting students where they’re at and believes that Rescue a Generation can be the starting point for students’ success when they are heard, seen, and loved.
Naomi Ibañez
Coach
Naomi is a 1st generation daughter born of Mexican Immigrants, born and raised in Riverside, California. She grew up in church and learned to seek God with all her heart; it was there that she found her passion for God, worship, and self-expression. She received her BA in Worship Studies at Vanguard University and has served as a worship leader for over five years with a background in administration and payroll support. Throughout her time at Vanguard, Naomi was open to a new world of community and theology. Being surrounded by Godly leaders and professors opened up her eyes to traumas that lay hidden, and the road to healing began. With a passion for dismantling past labels and traumas, she is excited to walk alongside Rescue a Generation to see this generation experience freedom and understanding from their traumas.
D'Marcus Ross
Coach 1
D’Marcus Ross, a passionate and empowering individual, has dedicated his whole life to impacting previous generations and the ones to come. Being raised in a single parent household, he struggled with finding his identity as well as in search of his main purpose in life. After many trials and errors he has now not only found that purpose but has made it his personal mission to help every individual find their own path as well! Through creative ideas and upbeat presence, D’Marcus is looking to dramatically and positively change the culture!
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