​Position: Wellness Coach for the LA CrUE team

What led you to your current position? I began my career in a field-based intensive mental health program centered around children in foster care. After five years of working closely with these youth, I realized there was an immense need for support within school systems. Seneca has presented me with the opportunity to provide students with support, consistency, and the necessary tools to build the life they deserve.

 What inspires you to do this work? I am forever inspired by the students and children I work with. I have the privilege of witnessing their resilience, curiosity, intelligence, and kindness. Additionally, being surrounded by other professionals who choose to lead with love and curiosity inspires me to show up authentically and meet students where they are at.

What is a recent highlight you’ve experienced in the work or an important lesson you’ve learned in this role? A highlight that I have experienced is seeing students overcome personal situations that felt impossible for them, seeing them build healthier connections, and seeing them invest in themselves and their future.

Share your life motto or something unique about yourself. A quote I often refer back to is "Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach". I find this helpful both in professional and personal situations, as it helps me stay true to myself.

Position: School Psychologist

What led you to your current position? After working as an MHC, I knew I wanted to support students in the school setting and advocate for the most vulnerable students with specific needs. After shadowing my cousin who is also a school psychologist, I knew this role was perfect for me!

What inspires you to do this work? The relationships I create with students and families through the psychoeducation and advocacy I provide inspires me to do this work.

What is a recent highlight you’ve experienced in the work or an important lesson you’ve learned in this role? A recent highlight I've experienced in my work is being invited by a student to his school soccer game after improving his behavior and finally earning a spot on the team! Go Cobras!

Share your life motto or something unique about yourself. My favorite quote that I have adopted as my life motto is "Everything negative -- pressure, challenges -- is all an opportunity for me to rise."- Kobe Bryant

What led you to your current position? I began my journey with Seneca as a Mental Health Counselor at a CEC while completing my master’s program. As I approached my internship year, my supervisor, Julie Kim at the time, supported me in finding an internship placement at New School in San Francisco. After completing my hours and obtaining my associate number, I transitioned into my current clinician role. Prior to joining Seneca, I worked as an ABA therapist for three years, which deepened my commitment to supporting children and families.

What inspires you to do this work? Middle school was a major transitional period in my life. My Mom faced many challenges navigating a new environment, especially since she primarily spoke Spanish, and there was little support available. I remember feeling safe with one of my teachers, but beyond academics, I didn’t have anyone to talk to. Later, in college, I met a counselor who profoundly impacted my journey. His guidance helped me stay in school and transfer to a four-year university. That experience showed me the power of meaningful support, and it’s what drives my passion for school-based mental health work today.

What is a recent highlight or lesson you’ve learned in this role? A recent highlight has been launching Mental Health Mondays; an idea I developed last year that came to life this school year. It’s been inspiring to see how well it’s been received by students and staff. I love that it promotes mental wellness across the entire school community, creating space for conversations and care that reach beyond individual sessions.
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Share your life motto or something unique about yourself. My life motto is: “Everything happens for you, not to you.” Embracing this perspective has allowed me to grow through challenges and view each experience as an opportunity for learning and transformation.

Position: Bilingual Outpatient Clinician for Pathways and Rooted to Rise 

What led you to your current position? After graduating from University of San Francisco’s Marriage and Family Therapy program I learned about Seneca through word of mouth due to their social justice reputation. This position felt aligned with my values and allowed me to work with youth and like-minded professionals.

What inspires you to do this work? I think my inner child feels alive through this work, which is a beautiful thing. I strongly value equitable care for all and getting to work with an agency that supports that, inspires me.

What is a recent highlight you’ve experienced in the work or an important lesson you’ve learned in this role? I feel like I am constantly learning so much from the young people I work with. Recently, a client of mine came into session glowing and saying she was “finally feeling herself,” and it was such a magical thing to see her confidence and spark come back. It was truly palpable.

Share your life motto or something unique about yourself. My life motto is based in a quote by F. Scott Fitzgerald that reads, “I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.” 

 ​Position: I am currently working as a  Therapeutic Case Management (TCM) counselor in Summit Olympus High School.  

What led you to your current position? : I started as a social worker in 2019 in Tacoma, Washington during the pandemic supporting local unhoused folks and working to build networks of professionals to meet clients where they were at in the community. I enjoyed this work not only because I was able to advocate and elevate necessities for my clients but also because it gave me a sense of what being truly client centered was. This became key in all the work I did moving forward. After this opportunity I transitioned to working within a supportive housing complex as a case manager. I supported my clients and families in a variety of aspects including finding legal supports, filing paperwork, as well as supporting with day-to-day behavioral health needs. This eventually brought me to Seneca which was both a welcomed and sudden change of pace. Working at Seneca within TCM has allowed me opportunities to connect with my clients and families more consistently and with greater emotional depth. I also have learned to combine being client centered, with being strength based which has elevated the level of care I’m able to provide to my clients and families.  

What inspires you to do this work? I am inspired to do this work by the opportunity to be a part of my families’ and clients’ journeys towards the goals that they want to achieve. I also greatly enjoy empowering and advocating for those around me who do this work and the joy and empowerment I receive from being a part of Seneca.
 
What is a recent highlight you’ve experienced in the work or an important lesson you’ve learned in this role? A recent highlight from my work with TCM at Summit Olympus is the therapeutic connections I have experienced throughout this year. Specifically, through working with one of my kiddos on my caseload and seeing how hard they have worked to commit to their goals that they have co-created with me within TCM. This young person and their family have had a difficult time connecting with other providers and have frequently shared their difficult experiences within receiving mental health support. I have been truly honored and grateful for their trust and our ongoing therapeutic partnership. Through being connected to TCM, community resources, and working with school administration this student has been able to better their mental health and will be graduating with their diploma at the end of the year. I am extremely proud of their hard work and look forward to seeing them become the independent young adult they are striving to be.

​Share your life motto or something unique about yourself.: “Love is a combination of care, commitment, knowledge, responsibility, respect, and trust” & “love is an action never simply a feeling” – Belle Hooks 

Position: Classroom Counselor 

What led you to your current position? When I was growing up, I had the privilege of having a community that placed value on my mental health and prioritized my emotions. I saw the benefits of going to therapy or talking about my feeling but never saw that reflected in the classroom. I felt very supported at home and with my therapist, but it felt very isolating and taboo to talk about those things while at school. In college I started to work with youth from Continuation High Schools and fell in love with advocacy work and Restorative Justice. I knew I wanted to work with students but was not sure in what capacity. I continued to work with students in different capacities like being a literacy interventionist and an afterschool teacher. I was able to learn and see different ways to support students academically but always felt like their mental health and emotions were being ignored or not acknowledged enough.  I knew i wanted to work with youth and be able to support them with their emotions and behaviors. 
 
What inspires you to do this work? My two biggest inspirations are the clients we work with and the staff. I am always in awe of how hard our clients work every day to reach their goals. There are weeks that sometime feel never ending but seeing our clients' perseverance and dedication inspires me to push through and make it to the end of the week. In duality with the hard work of our students I am inspired by the continued efforts of staff to find new ways to engage and support our clients. I am inspired by seeing how staff advocate for our clients and are constantly trying to model the things we preach. 
 
What is a recent highlight you’ve experienced in the work or an important lesson you’ve learned in this role?      One of the most important lessons I have learned in this role is to have more patience. Understanding that growth is not linear, and we have to take things one step at a time. We cannot work harder than our clients and there will be times that we need to exercise that patience and work at the pace the client needs. 
 
Share your life motto or something unique about yourself. "Ya la bailada quien te lo quita", is one of my mottos. This roughly means, go for it, at the end of the day no one will be able to take that experience away from you so have fun and try things even if it is just once.  

Position: Resource Counselor at Lazear Charter Academy

What led you to your current position? I was in the Wraparound program for almost five years before I joined Light the Change. I became a mother a couple months before making this switch and needed something with a consistent schedule. I was working with two Wrap clients that attended Lazear and when I visited, I got to know the school and kids a bit more. When the position became available, I was a bit hesitant because I loved my work with Wraparound and dreaded the thought of leaving my kids. I can truly say that I am happy I took this opportunity and although I miss my Wraparound kids a lot, I am hopeful that our time together provided them some tools, love, and growth for them to be their best selves! I truly enjoy the work I do at Lazear and hope to continue providing these services to my community.

What inspires you to do this work? I grew up in Oakland and have always been interested in working with kids. I had challenges throughout my childhood and can relate to a lot of the experiences that my kids go through. I want to provide a safe space for them to express themselves, collaborate with parents, and create an environment where my kids can be heard and prosper in their lives. As I am growing as a mother and going through different stages of life, I am finding more empathy for parents and seeing the value of helping them heal themselves so they can get to a point of being that safe space for their children.

What is a recent highlight you’ve experienced in the work or an important lesson you’ve learned in this role? A recent highlight was seeing my TK student attend his PE class independently and sit with peers at lunch. I had been working with him for a couple months on building a relationship with his PE teacher and peers. He would sit alone in class, not eat lunch with anyone, and not play with others. Now, he is going to class without me having to support, he plays with his peers and calls some of them his friends and can tolerate sitting with people at lunch! Seeing this shift in him has been amazing! I could not have done it without the support of his teachers and appreciate their collaboration and openness to different interventions.
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Share your life motto or something unique about yourself. Remembering there are wounds we all carry, not taking things personally, and showing up for others. This work can be emotionally taxing, but seeing the smiles, hearing my name being called from across the school, receiving artwork for me to decorate my walls makes it worth it. I am excited for my son to receive that love from his teachers when he starts school here! 

Position: Bilingual Outpatient Therapist
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What led you to your current position? I’ve always had a passion for trying to understand human behavior and psychology. The adversities I’ve had to overcome, paired with the diverse identities I hold, encouraged me to want to help others. Representation is important to me, and I believe there’s value in witnessing a first generation, Mexican American, eldest daughter, bilingual woman in a position that has included a lengthy education, overcome obstacles and advocating for others’ rights. Additionally, I love working with and have a big heart for children. I learn from my clients so much every day; from how to incorporate humor and silliness into our lives, to how to be honest and direct with our needs and observations. This position is greatly fulfilling to me as a person who hoped to find a sliver of silver lining in using my lived experience to help others feel seen, heard and supported in ways that I wasn’t. 

What inspires you to do this work? Seeing gradual changes in my clients inspires me. I love to see clients having acceptance for themselves little by little, shifting their self-views and creating alternate stories that can shape their core beliefs about themselves and their world, into a version that can feel safer, more closely aligned with their values. It is a privilege to get to be let into my client’s family’s worlds. 

What is a recent highlight you’ve experienced in the work or an important lesson you’ve learned in this role? An important lesson is how many different perspectives and stories can coexist. I have made it a goal of mine to seek a bigger picture and gather perspectives not just from moms but from fathers as well, who so often, for many different reasons, get excluded from conversations about their children’s mental health. If we want men to acknowledge mental health and heal within society, they must be included. 

Share your life motto or something unique about yourself.  I don’t have a favorite life motto, but I can share one I highly dislike. Everything does not happen for a reason. Plenty of senseless, unexplainable things can and do happen in this life. Disproportionately. And even still, ongoing healing is possible. I wholeheartedly believe and am witness to that daily. 

Position: My current position with Seneca is of a Wellness Coach. 

What led you to your current position? Prior to starting at Seneca, I was a family community specialist at Long Beach Saint Mary’s Hospital helping with unhoused individuals. I oversaw community outreach for mothers that were unhoused and had a minor under their custody. While providing these services, I noticed that it was more beneficial for their overall outcome to start with supporting these families in obtaining an education. 

What inspires you to do this work? I was informed by a nurse about Seneca, and after doing intensive research, I felt called to apply and support students in continuing their education. My inspiration to do this work is believing that we all deserve to be educated and supported during that journey. My favorite quote comes from Cesar Chavez “Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot uneducated the person who has learned to read. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. We have seen the future, and the future is ours.” I firmly believe the future belongs to my students and my role is to make sure they spread their wings. 

What is a recent highlight you’ve experienced in the work or an important lesson you’ve learned in this role? One recent highlight for me comes from a young man that has no academic support at home and the love for his younger sister has motivated him to come to school daily. He is doing his best to not fall into gang violence and inspiring his younger sibling to choose a different path. I feel proud of him for making those crucial changes and for being conscious of how his actions can affect his family at a young age. Thanks to him, I have learned to support individuals find their own journey and inspiration for wanting an education. Not all struggles come from the same tree, but all tree’s come with struggles.

Share your life motto or something unique about yourself. I personally collect books that might be at risk of becoming censored, I have about 300 books that range from Dracula to Latin American in Spanish, and psychology. I love to be able to see the little happy moments with my students and be part of their small victories.  
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