ABOUT JUS TUS
BUILT FOR THE WHOLE PERSON.
Jus Tus helps justice- and system-impacted people move beyond crisis, instability, and the barriers of reentry toward greater stability, opportunity, and purpose.
OUR PURPOSE
ONE PROBLEM IS NEVER THE WHOLE STORY.
A person may need help with housing, employment, recovery, family, healthcare, education, or navigating the systems that come with reentry.
But those challenges rarely exist alone.
Jus Tus was built around a broader idea: understand the person, identify the barriers in front of them, and connect them with the practical support, skills, resources, and opportunities needed to keep moving forward.
MISSION & VISION
REBUILD THE LIFE. REBUILD WHAT COMES NEXT.
MISSION
Jus Tus empowers justice- and system-impacted people to successfully reenter and reintegrate into their communities by addressing the social and economic barriers that can lead to recidivism.
We connect people with comprehensive resources and viable opportunities to rebuild their lives and create a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities.
VISION
A future in which people who have faced incarceration, instability, or other major barriers become equipped to thrive, serve others, and help rebuild their communities.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
HELP SHOULD BUILD CAPACITY.
Jus Tus believes real progress is more than solving the problem directly in front of someone.
The goal is to help people develop practical life skills, stability, confidence, support systems, and opportunities they can carry with them into the next challenge.
“I WANT TO GIVE THEM THE SKILL SETS TO DEAL WITH ANYTHING THAT COMES UP IN THEIR LIFE.”
— Rabin Woods, Founder & CEO
SINCE 2001
THE WORK STARTED LONG BEFORE THE WEBSITE.
The roots of Jus Tus reach back to 2001.
The organization began with a focus on recovery and grew into a broader vision for reentry, rehabilitation, education, employment, mentorship, housing, youth development, community service, and economic opportunity.
Across the years, the work has included curriculum development, prison-based service efforts, parole preparation, recovery programming, employment preparation, youth initiatives, veteran-focused outreach, community events, and the development of reentry and entrepreneurship concepts.
Today, Jus Tus is building the next chapter of that work with a renewed focus on whole-person reentry support in South Los Angeles.
THE NAME
COUNTED OUT DOESN’T MEAN WITHOUT PURPOSE.
The name Jus Tus came to Rabin Woods while he was incarcerated and was inspired by the biblical story of Justus—a man who was considered for a larger purpose even though he was ultimately not chosen.
For Rabin, the story became a reminder that being overlooked, counted out, or defined by the past does not erase a person’s value, potential, or future.
That belief remains central to Jus Tus today.
WHERE WE SERVE
ROOTED HERE. BUILT TO SERVE HERE.
Jus Tus currently prioritizes justice-impacted communities throughout South Los Angeles, with a primary focus on Los Angeles County Service Planning Area 6.
Priority communities include Crenshaw, Leimert Park, Watts, Hyde Park, Exposition Park, University Park, and surrounding areas, as well as nearby Inglewood.
The work begins locally—with people, families, and communities that have experienced the lasting effects of incarceration, instability, and the War on Drugs.
WHAT SUCCESS MEANS
HELP ONE PERSON. CHANGE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.
For Jus Tus, success does not end when someone completes a program or solves an immediate problem.
Success means a person becomes more stable, more capable, more connected, and better equipped to build their own future—and eventually becomes someone who can help another person do the same.
“IN MY WORLD, YOU’RE NOT EVEN A SUCCESSFUL GRADUATE UNTIL YOU’RE STARTING TO HELP SOMEBODY ELSE.”
— Rabin Woods, Founder & CEO
WHAT COMES NEXT
FIND YOUR NEXT STEP.
Whether you need support, want to understand our programs, or want to help create opportunity for someone else, Jus Tus is ready to connect.