Chima Rivas
Chima (They /Them) is originally from Southern California, they moved to Chico in 2014 to attend college and now that they are connected to their community - they can’t imagine leaving. A first-generation college graduate and the oldest of three siblings, they earned a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice with a focus on restorative justice and abolition.In 2019, they became as certified Domestic Violence Crisis Counselor and began working at Catalyst Domestic Violence Services, where they spent 3 ½ years supporting survivors of intimate partner violence. Their work focused on helping survivors secure and maintain long-term housing while navigating complex systems.In 2023, they joined WellCat Safe Place and became dual-certified as a Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Counselor. In this role, they provided confidential support to students, faculty, and staff who had experienced or were experiencing sexual or intimate partner violence, helping connect individuals with resources while fostering safety, empowerment, and healing.Their interest in restorative and transformative justice began during college, but it was a conflict resolution training through Seya Lumeya at Chico State that deepened their passion for facilitating meaningful conversations and strengthening communities. They are excited to continue building on these values in their role as a Residence Conduct Coordinator (RCC), supporting students through difficult conversations, encouraging accountability, and connecting students with resources.Outside of work, Chima enjoys spending time with their closest friends, who you can usually hear laughing before you see them. They are a regular at Vang's Plants and Succulents Hub and have been taking community American Sign Language (ASL) classes through Sign Club for the past three years. Community building extends well beyond the workplace; whether attending local events, visiting neighborhood businesses, or simply saying hello to familiar faces around town, they value creating genuine connections wherever they go.