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We do Different
We're on a mission to shift the perspective of how we address social services through the language of mental health driven by our own human encounters
MEET THE FOUNDER
Oscarin Ortega, a native of Oceanside, CA, shares a deep connection with the challenges faced by local families. Having personally endured early childhood trauma, he intimately understands the hardships they undergo. Motivated by his own journey, Oscarin founded Lived Experiences, a platform committed to offering support to an underserved population in his community.
During his early years, Oscarin navigated a self-destructive path fueled by mental health difficulties, including anxiety disorders and depression, leading to drug addiction, homelessness, and incarceration stemmed from his trauma experiences. Through education, training, and mentorship, Oscarin immersed himself in various restorative and therapeutic practices, pivotal in his personal healing journey, enabling him to overcome the damage inflicted by his past.
Now an adult, Oscarin has dedicated his life to providing essential services to individuals facing similar struggles. His goal is to reshape the trajectory of their lives by creating avenues of self-expression, guiding them towards productive and prosperous futures.
BACKGROUND
Founded in 2019, Lived Experiences is a grassroots nonprofit in Oceanside, California, committed to assisting underserved families.
Utilizing data-proven methods, we advocate to create change by investing in individuals' microsystems, addressing the root causes of emotional and physical trauma.
This approach aims to generate meaningful and sustainable outcomes, producing positive transformations within their ecosystems, contributing to the long-term well-being and resilience of those we serve.
Our Journey
"We show value to individuals to create the social change that we want to see. We're sensitive about how we connect with people, then we move forward."
In 2019, we facilitated our first wraparound support group in a basement of a local church later, within the same facility, we rented space that operated as a youth service center.
In 2020, in response to our public health crisis we launched a mobile food program to date, we have distributed over one million pounds of produce to thousands of families.
In 2021, we launched our Loads of Dignity program by building a first of its kind mobile laundromat trailer in San Diego County.
In 2022, we hosted our first in-person mental health conference supported by 15 institutions, 12 speakers plus local leaders presented on the importance of trauma to a packed house of 300 attendees.
In 2023, we started our partnership with local school districts facilitationg boxing, soccer, student and parent programs.
In 2024, We achieved full self-reliance by investing in a truck, generators, and water tanks, enabling us to deliver our essential laundry services anywhere in San Diego County.
In 2025, we reached our greatest milestone by opening our own resource center—a hub for partnerships, free resources, and community engagement.