Volunteers In Parole -- Mentor of the Month
by Angel Sevilla

Prosecutor, teacher, president, father, mentor: whatever role Alberto Roldan takes on, he does so with energy, passion and undying commitment to excellence. The soft-spoken and highly intelligent deputy district attorney is one of the most highly respected members of the Sacramento legal community. His exemplary career is full of notable distinctions. He is an active member of the Sacramento County Bar Association, serving as this year's president of the La Raza Hispanic Lawyers Association.

Remarkably, Roldan also finds time for public service activities. He joined VIP in early spring to participate in rehabilitative efforts to help people coming out of incarceration. "I wanted to be proactive to keep people from entering the system so that they won't be prosecuted to begin with," explains Alberto. "I'd rather help them lead a more productive life rather than be involved in a criminal case."

After falling prey to prison's revolving door numerous times, Manuel Villalobos rejoined our community with a strong resolve to succeed. Part of his success lies in his willingness to build a positive support system, and his desire to extend his friendship to dedicated professionals. He has been part of the criminal justice system since the age of five, serving prison time for most of his adult life. But with great determination and will, he knows full well that it is never too late to make a change. "Manny has lived a long and challenging life. He's an individual who is making a sincere effort to become a productive citizen," Roldan explains. "Many people in transition look to Manny's example to guide their journey in parole. He has a very strong will that we find deeply empowering, and he talks to people with pure honesty and sincerity."

Roldan and Villalobos have established a strong relationship. They share a meal once every two weeks to talk about their life experiences and bounce ideas off each other. They also watch movies periodically. According to Roldan, "My relationship with Manny has gone very well. I enjoy his company, and we learn a great deal from one another. I think I'm able to give him perspective in the life I lived. He's a funny guy and I enjoy the things he has to say."

Villalobos is equally enthusiastic. "Just sitting down with somebody from a different side of the fence, works a great deal for my self-esteem," he explains. "We talk, go to the movies, and he helps me deal with some of my problems." Villalobos remarks with laughter. "It feels good to sit down with a district attorney as a friend without working out some kind of deal."

For more information about Volunteers in Parole, or to volunteer as a mentor, please call Angel Sevilla at (916) 324-4142, Ext. 259 or at vipsacramento@home.com.