Ricardo Ortega

Alumnus

School

Cal State Dominguez Hill

Graduation Year

2019

Employer

Children’s Law Center / LA County Board of Supervisors

Bio

Ricardo Ortega Martinez Jr. is a Peer Advocate with the Children’s Law Center of California. He is currently the inaugural Los Angeles County Youth Commissioner, representing over 2.2 million young people, and a board member for California Youth Connection. Ricardo has also served as a member of the Mental Health Board for Transitional Age Youth in the State of California. He holds the distinction of being the youngest commissioner to serve on both the Civil Service Commission in the city of Huntington Park and the Immigration Commission under Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson in the 65th District of the State of California. On December 2nd, 2017, he was recognized as a Young Senator by State Senator Ricardo Lara for completing the 33rd Senate District Young Senators Program. As a former foster youth, Ricardo worked on AB 2247-Place to Call Home at the age of 17, creating stability for foster youth placements across California. At 20, he worked on AB 46-California Youth Empowerment Commission, promoting civic engagement for California’s youth. Ricardo served as President for the Los Angeles chapter of California Youth Connection, joined their Legislative and Policy Committee, and gained work experience with the Chamber of Commerce in Florence-Firestone, Walnut Park, and Lynwood.