ABOUT US
ReSet serves youth impacted by gangs, violence and the juvenile justice system through coaching and rebuilding the youth into the best version of themselves.
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Our groups, trainings, and workshops use a structured curriculum that incorporate Restorative Justice principles and circle-practice to build a safe space for engagement.
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We use and teach The Transformative Mentoring Approach to meet youth where they are which has resulted in successful and long-lasting mentor relationships.
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OUR TEAM
Meet the faces behind ReSet.
DAVID LUJANO
Founder
Early Life
Growing up between Los Angeles and Mexico – David spent many of his early years living the risk of the gang life. At the young age of 19, he became incarcerated in Washington State where he was sentenced to 16 years. David continued to be active in the gang culture inside of prison which resulted in numerous years of Isolation.
David understands the impact that prolonged isolation can have on the mind, body and spirit. Through reflection, growth and change, David recognized how he could use his background in gang culture to positively influence and change outcomes of others. He is fully committed to his vision of helping individuals caught up in the same lifestyle to discover a better future for themselves.
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Professional Career
After his release, David attended college and was hired to do gang intervention work with youth impacted by gangs, acts of violence and the juvenile justice system at Alive & Free (YMCA). His dedication and knowledge shined through his work, and he was eventually offered a supervisory role where he led the South King County Outreach team and served on the Youth LINC Intervention Team.
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After years of experience, he observed a growth of Latino Gangs and the need for services within the Latino Community. Through his relationship with St Vincent De Paul in Kent, together they created ReRoute, a gang prevention program targeted for younger teens to mitigate their risk factors while living in a gang affected community.
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David was eventually offered an Executive Director role at New Connections of South King County where he continues to develop new gang prevention programs for youth.
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ReSet
David’s reputation continues to grow and after countless speaking engagements, workshops and trainings he was invited to mentor, and problem solve with young men in Green Hill (Juvenile Prison). His expansive knowledge and experience of gang hierarchy allows him to be heard and activate change. While in partnership with the Superintendent, David has been able to use a non-traditional approach strongly rooted in relationship building that is created by meeting the youth where they were. This partnership has grown into the work of ReSet.
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ReSet is the culmination of the specialized work that David has demonstrated in the community and within institutions. This work merges real life experience as a gang content expert with 10 years of serving and mentoring youth affected by gangs. This provides the insight critical to building relationships and influencing outcomes to create positive options for the youth most impacted by isolation.
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David credits the power of relationships and his ability to listen and connect as the keys to success with everyone he serves – he hopes to change the landscape of youth justice and gang intervention work.
Stephani Espinoza
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Program Coordinator
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Stephani Espinoza brings a unique, "full-circle" perspective to her role as Program Coordinator for Re-set. Her journey with the organization began in 2020 when she joined as a participant during Re-set’s foundational years in the community. Through weekly sessions focused on self-love, core values, and the prevention of violence, Stephani gained the tools to navigate life’s challenges and support those around her.
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Her growth within the program led to a natural transition from participant to professional. Having mastered the Re-set curriculum as both a student and a co-facilitator, she now oversees the coordination of lessons across all established sites.
Timothy Cuellar
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Facilitator
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My name is Timothy Cuellar, and I’m 25 years old. I was born in Anaheim, California, and from a very young age, I was exposed to gang activity, violence, drugs, and alcohol. Growing up around that environment made those things seem normal to me. Looking back now, it almost felt inevitable that I would eventually become part of that lifestyle myself. My parents wanted something different for my family and me, so they made the decision to move us all the way to Yakima, Washington, hoping we could have a better life and be surrounded by a healthier environment.
When I moved to Yakima, I didn’t know anybody besides the family I came with. I was starting high school and trying to fit in, but before long, I found myself around the same type of people and influences my parents had tried to move me away from. I started hanging around gangs, using drugs, and getting deeper into the streets. I began getting suspended from school constantly, and eventually, I got expelled. Once that happened, I had nothing but time on my hands, and with my parents working hard to provide for us, it became easier and easier for me to stay out in the streets and continue going down the wrong path.
As I became more involved in that life, consequences started following me. The juvenile system started getting familiar with who I was. I was going to juvenile detention at least once or twice a month, and eventually, I caught my first serious case. I sat in custody for months waiting for trial before finally beating the case and getting released. But instead of learning from it, I went right back to the same lifestyle that got me there in the first place. At that point, I was 16 years old and already fully committed to the streets.
Not long after, I caught an even more serious case involving gangs and gun violence. A few weeks later, I was arrested and taken into custody. About a year later, I accepted a plea deal for five and a half years. I remember being transported on an adult chain bus to Shelton to get classified before eventually being sent to Green Hill School. Even while incarcerated, the same mentality and environment followed me. I kept getting deeper into the lifestyle because it was all I knew.
Around the age of 18, after going through several situations and experiences that forced me to reflect on my life, I made the decision to walk away from gang life. It wasn’t easy, and honestly, I didn’t even know who I was outside of that lifestyle. I felt lost and confused. I didn’t know what my purpose was or where to even begin changing my life. But there were a few staff members who genuinely cared about me and believed I could become something more. One of the biggest influences during that time was my counselor.
I started going back to school, which was extremely difficult because I had barely been in school for almost five years. I had to relearn discipline and how to apply myself. During that time, I taught myself how to play guitar, started reading books, and began educating myself. I joined programs that helped me grow mentally and emotionally, and at the same time, I worked in the kitchen while participating in a construction boot camp apprenticeship program. For the first time in my life, I began to learn what it meant to be a productive member of society.
One of the biggest turning points in my life was meeting David Lujano when RESET was first being established. Becoming part of RESET changed my life completely. Through that program, I began learning about emotional intelligence, childhood trauma, accountability, and the reasons behind why I thought and acted the way I did. RESET helped me uncover things I had buried deep inside for years without even realizing it. For the first time, I truly began to understand myself.
By the age of 20, I had graduated and even enrolled in college classes while incarcerated, although I wasn’t able to finish because it was finally time for me to be released. I had spent years waiting for that moment, believing I was ready for freedom, but once I got out, I realized that the hardest part was just beginning. Now I had responsibilities. I had to stay out of jail, stay drug-free, avoid old behaviors, and completely change my lifestyle. I promised myself I would never go back to prison.
Right after my release, I got a job and enrolled in barber school, which had been one of my goals while incarcerated. I stayed focused on building a future for myself, but I also knew I wanted to give back and help others who were going through the same struggles I once faced. Eventually, I reached back out to RESET and asked if there was any way I could become more involved. They welcomed me in and began training me to work as a mentor at places like Parke Creek and Echo Glen. Through that work, I found purpose in using my experiences to help youth who were struggling with the same things I once struggled with.
Fast forward to today, and I’m now one of the facilitators for RESET on the east side of Washington. I also help hold space at Green Hill School, the same place where my own transformation began years ago. In addition to mentoring and facilitating groups, I work as a barber and pursue music professionally. While I was incarcerated, one of the things I constantly dreamed about was making music and performing in front of people someday. Today, I’m living that dream as part of my journey as an artist and performer.
My story is proof that change is possible. I know what it feels like to be lost, angry, institutionalized, and hopeless. But I also know what it feels like to heal, grow, and find purpose. Everything I do today is about inspiring others, breaking cycles, and showing people that no matter where they come from or what mistakes they’ve made, they still have the ability to change their lives and become something greater.