Tina Naidoo MSSW, LCSW
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, T.O.R.I.
MODERATOR
Tina Naidoo has served under the leadership of Bishop T.D. Jakes for over 25 years. Among her many other accolades, Ms. Naidoo has been recognized as a White House Champion of Change in 2016. In 2021, Ms. Naidoo was asked to testify to the Canadian Parliament on behalf of a Bill that was inspired by the T.O.R.I. program, and her tireless work to forward second chance legislation. Ms. Naidoo continues to lead T.O.R.I. with a culture that emphasizes the dignity and worth of every participant, employee, and partner by forwarding the vision of a reformed criminal justice system.
With an extensive background in social work, Ms. Naidoo developed a clinically designed, comprehensive 12-month
program that leads to self-sufficiency for returning citizens that are motivated to change. Through comprehensive program evaluations conducted by The Institute for Urban Planning and Development at the University of Texas at Dallas, T.O.R.I.’s model has been verified as a key component in combating
recidivism. In the 15+ years since inception, T.O.R.I. has witnessed the rehabilitation of over 30,000 returning
citizens and has impacted the criminal justice system indelibly.
Ms. Naidoo’s commitment to the returning citizens of Texas is apparent through her tireless advocacy and national accolades that T.O.R.I. has received. Since 2014, T.O.R.I. has been awarded three Second Chance Act grants by the Department of Justice, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). In addition, T.O.R.I. has been awarded funding for projects in partnership with The City of Dallas, the Community Council of Greater Dallas, and the Office of the Governor with Project Safe Neighborhoods, all of which aim to reduce recidivism and strengthen families in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Ms. Naidoo continues to lead T.O.R.I. with a culture that emphasizes the dignity and worth of every participant, employee and partner by forwarding the vision of a reformed criminal justice system. One in which those that have been hindered by their past can proudly change the narrative and proclaim, “I Am More.”
EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS