About Us | Lived Experiences

MEET OUR

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Oscarin Ortega

Born and raised in Oceanside, CA, Oscarin Ortega created Lived Experiences to provide critical support for an undeserved population of local youth whose challenges he knew firsthand. Oscarin himself was a victim of early childhood trauma. At an early age, alongside his brothers who both are currently incarcerated, he found himself headed down a destructive path of drug addiction, severe poverty, homelessness, and incarceration. At 22, Oscarin began to learn about the effects of early childhood trauma and came to recognize that trauma is a common cause of youth disconnection in Oceanside. Through training and mentoring, he learned about various restorative and therapeutic practices and approaches that could help him overcome the damage of his past. As an adult, Oscarin made it his mission to provide young people who are suffering as he did with the essential services that can change the trajectory of their lives and lead them to productive futures.

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BACKGROUND

Lived Experiences

Is a grassroots 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2018 to help at-risk and disconnected youth in Oceanside, California overcome emotional and physical trauma so that they may live rewarding adult lives and build healthy, supportive communities. Our weekly groups utilize evidence-based approaches and wraparound support to provide youth participants with increased social connectivity; increased awareness and understanding of trauma and its effects in their lives; increased capacity to heal from trauma; enhanced emotional literacy and coping skills; and, ultimately, improved quality of life.

TEAM

MEMBERS

Directors & Partners

The Lived Experiences Board of Directors & advisors represents a variety of professional expertise that is highly relevant to the organization’s mission and planned growth, including financial and business strategy, community-based counseling, clinical psychology, Wraparound service provision, “Credible Mentorship,” mental health services for Latino populations, and community planning.