Carissa Phelps, Date of Birth, Place of Birth

Carissa Phelps

author, attorney, advocate

Date of Birth: 12-Sep-1976

Place of Birth: Fresno, California, United States

Profession: judge

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Carissa Liana Phelps (born September 12, 1976) is a Mexican-American author, attorney, and advocate for sexually exploited runaway children and homeless youth.
She is known as the subject of the award-winning documentary, Carissa, directed by David Sauvage and produced by Davis Guggenheim, Chad Troutwine, and Jamie McCourt.
The 2008 film revisits her life as a sexually exploited runaway child living on the streets of Fresno, California.
Having been involved in various petty crimes and probation violations, as well as grand theft auto, she was incarcerated at the CK Wakefield Home for Boys, during their pilot program to integrate girls into the facility as an option to sentencing them to the California Youth Authority.
Teaching herself mathematics and working to overcome numerous rapes, sexual exploitation, and substance abuse and addictions, she eventually graduated with an MBA and a J.D.
degree from UCLA.
She is the founder of Runaway Girl, Inc., which advocates for runaway and homeless youth, while providing training for organizations to effectively reach out and address homelessness and human trafficking.
In 2012, her life story was told in the book, Runaway Girl: Escaping Life on the Streets, One Helping Hand at a Time.