I founded Outreach Consulting Services in 2015 to serve those in the Disabilities Community, as well as our Veterans and those reentering back from incarceration. My bachelor’s degree is in criminal justice, and I have been in the Reentry Community for over 18 years. I have previously worked for the California Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation as a Parole and Community Team Coordinator at all of the San Diego Offices. I am the Chair of the San Diego Reentry Roundtable, and I’ve held the position of Vice Chair and Secretary and have been in Prison Ministry for over 18 years. I am also the CEO/Chair for the San Diego Committee on Employment of People with
Disabilities, we host the Largest Job & Resource Fair in the County of San Diego for People with Disabilities in the month of October which is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. In addition, I am the CEO/Chair of the Veterans Employment Committee of San Diego County, both are All Volunteer Non-Profit organizations. Which means no one on the committee or Board receives any compensation, we are passionate about helping others. I also sit on several Criminal Justice Committees in the County: Alternatives to Incarceration, Prop 47, the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center’s Advisory Council and Donovan State Prison’s Volunteer Advisory Committee.
About Charlene Autolino
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am an only child, and I was adopted by two amazing parents! My father was in the Navy for 34 years and retired off the USS Midway. I am a divorced mother of two my daughter Anndrea is the oldest who is married with two children Jacob and Joaquin and my son Anthony is an EDM/EDC DJ on his 5th North American tour.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I have been a licensed Cosmetologist for 42 years which allowed me to go back to college and attain my bachelor’s degree is in Criminal Justice. I ended up in the payroll field instead for over a decade working for Ceridan which is (IBM) and then Intuit. My heart was always with the Criminal Justice system as I was previously married to a San Diego Police Officer. After working in Corporate America, I ended up working for Parole and that is what lead me to the Social Services side. I began working with those with disabilities, veterans and those reentering back into our communities from incarceration. And the rest is history :0)
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Passion is an amazing driver and when you are passionate about something it is not work at all because you actually Love It!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Continuing to be involved in Non-Profits and helping others start their passions. I have been mentoring students and colleagues for almost 2 decades and I believe in “Each one Teach one”.
Charlene Autolino & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Peohe’s for sure with such amazing views and ambience, Topsail at the Harbor also with amazing views and of course Island Prime!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
My father was stationed here in San Diego except for the time he was on the USS Midway which her home port was Japan however my dad retired here from 32nd street so San Diego has been our home for the majority of my life.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
It’s extremely hard to say just one person because I have met so many amazing people in so many different fields making a difference in our community. I am so blessed with having this opportunity to work and meet incredible people on a daily basis.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Farrells, I miss the ice cream, they had what was cold I believe the Zoo which was a huge bowl filled with ice cream and toppings that probably served at least 20 people.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The diversity, I love that and the fact that we are extremely Resource Rich in San Diego. Meaning there are so many organizations that truly want to help others.
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
Kim Kardashian because she has done so much when it comes to prison reform and I would love to share with her what San Diego has accomplished with SB618, AB109, Prop 47 and the new Alternatives to incarceration with the County of San Diego. Probably one of the 3 of my favorite restaurtants but if I’m forced to chose, then Peohe’s
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Just Right
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Not much I’m an open book, I would have to say that most people do not know that I was adopted by a black family as I am half Hawaiian and half Fillipino.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The Bible
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Jesus
Q: What community organizations and/or local nonprofits do you admire/support?
San Diego Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, Veterans Employment Committee of San Diego County, Mentoring Autistic Minds, Adjoin, STEP, Interfaith, WISE and the list goes on…..
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
At the district attorney’s office, we were doing a press conference for the Reentry Toolkit that we worked on for two years. I was being interviewed as the Chair of the Reentry Roundtable and I had white cards to hit the points of the project, and I was so nervous that I would forget what the cards said. Someone from the DA’s office said: Charlene you are so passionate about this, just speak from your heart. That was the best advise ever I give that same advice to others. I am no longer nervous with interviews on or off camera.
Q: What Neighborhood do you live in?
Southbay
What I love about my Neighborhood:
The growth and the fact that you actually know who your neighbors are.
Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend:
Breakfast or Brunch at one of the many incredible restaurants, going to Coronado then taking the Ferry over to the Harbor side and walking to Sea Port Village. Dinner in Little Italy and then back again for the Farmers market on Sunday and then ending up at one of our amazing beaches or off to Balboa Park. So much to do here and that’s why we are called “America’s Finest City”
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
San Diego, America’s Finest City and No Place like Home
