Meet Ignacio

Born and raised in Santa Ana, Ignacio carries a deep love for the community that shaped him. Growing up in a supportive home with three older sisters who always looked out for him, he saw firsthand the power of family and belonging. He also watched friends drift away from that support, often searching for connection elsewhere. Those experiences planted the seeds for the work he does today.

Mental health and recovery became especially important to Ignacio. He understands how difficult it can be—particularly for men and people from communities where mental health is rarely discussed—to ask for help. His goal is simple: to be someone people can trust, talk to, and return to without judgment.

One participant’s journey captures why he continues to do this work. She first enrolled in treatment during Ignacio’s first year as a clinician, but relapsed and disappeared. She returned the following year, relapsed again, and disappeared once more. Three years later, she came back—this time ready to pursue residential treatment and committed to her recovery.

Although circumstances prevented her from completing residential treatment, she remained connected to recovery support, reconnected with her family, and ultimately graduated from the program. Along the way, she reunited with her son and regained full custody.

“I’m just so proud of her,” Ignacio says. “It proves how important it is to show up for people in a loving and caring way after they’ve made a mistake.”

For Ignacio, that is the heart of the work: showing up, even when someone stumbles, and reminding them that they can always come back.

His advice to anyone struggling with addiction or returning from incarceration is simple: “Just show up. Ask for support. Say, ‘I need help.’ We’ll help with the rest.”