At age 20, Selena found herself facing challenges. As a child, she had lost a family member to suicide, was depressed, bullied and had trouble socializing due to a physical disability.
Then she found Pacific Clinics’ TAY Tunnel in Oxnard, a drop-in center that empowers youth ages 15-25 to take an active role in creating positive lifestyle changes within a supportive, safe and understanding environment.
In the center’s welcoming environment, she began meeting with a peer partner, who understood Selena’s challenges having been through the same program themself, making them less intimidating than a therapist. Her peer partner helped her strengthen her relationships and socialization skills, offered her other supports and connected Selena to health care and, eventually, a therapist. “They were there for me every step of the way,” Selena recalls.
With locations in San Jose, Irwindale and Oxnard, the Hope Drop-In Centers and TAY Tunnel provides support with everything from health care and housing to mental health services and job placement. These centers are places where youth can be themselves, be social and find acceptance. They also allow youth to handle needs as simple as doing laundry or taking a shower.
“It’s really important that they come to a place where there’s no judgment,” says Corporate Director of Community Integration Services Herman Corteza.
Selena is proof that these supports can be life-changing. Five years after first walking into the center, she is now helping other youth as a peer partner – her first job.
“It’s emotional, but at the same time, it is very uplifting,” Selena says of her work. “I really want to do something for someone else.”
Selena combines her own lived experience with a sense of empathy to connect with youth at the center. Now two years into working at TAY Tunnel, she wants to continue assisting other youth, providing them the aid and support she once received.
“I’ve always wanted to help people,” she said. “I love the hands-on experience of sharing my wellness journey and helping others find theirs.”
Watch Selena’s full story:
