For the month of April 2026 our Wellness Center South Team selected Nicole David. Nicole enrolled at WCS on September 28, 2021. Nicole stated that she never thought they would find such a safe and supportive community like WCS. Explaining that this center has been a training ground for them to rebuild her life from rock bottom up. As well has stated that she has healed so much since coming here because of the groups and the people. The way Nicole discovered Wellness Center South was from one of their counselors that found WCS online and brought her here for the very first time. She remembers walking into WCS and experiencing a very friendly welcoming and being offered a tour. On the tour she enjoyed seeing all the artwork on the walls and they also remembered their first group at WCS having very negative thoughts getting quiet and feeling peace and calm for once. This member expressed they have made many great memories at WCS from Karaoke with friends they made at WCS, singing Zombie by the Cranberries in the Music Room during the socialization group Music Jam. Nicole has reported that she has made a lot of lifelong friends at WCS that they can talk to about anything and just be themselves, real friends that care about her wellbeing and see her for her and not their issues or past. This member utilized WCS’s Supported Employment Services to get a job as a monster at Knott’s Scary Farm. They were so excited when they were casted and reported it to WCS’s Employment Specialist saying that they received a lot of support from the entire staff and community. Our member of the month started a new group at WCS called “Happy Feet”, it is a dance class that gives helpful and encouraging instruction to exercise using dance. This member is about to transfer to San Francisco State University to major in Dance. We have no doubt they will continue their success as they finish University. This member has left a lasting impression on us and we will always be supportive of all their endeavors.
For the month of March 2026 our Wellness Center South Team selected a member that enrolled at WCS in the Fall of 2020 after learning about our community of wellness from a friend during the pandemic. She signed up because she liked the virtual groups that WCS offered at the time. This member enjoys participating in Music Jam and Art groups at the center. This member has explained that because they were given a chance to co-facilitate groups they developed the skill that gave them the confidence to become a Medi-Cal Certified Peer Support Specialist. Since being empowered to pursue employment in human services they have achieved employment for four consecutive years at a reputable mental health service provider in Orange County and she has a future goal to earn a Masters degree and continue working in the healthcare field. Furthermore, this member has gone on to say “My experiences attending groups, interacting with staff and other members has been positive and instrumental in my personal growth and development. I also appreciate that you have an ‘Employment and Education Specialist’ onsite. I have been able to work with your current and previous Employment Specialist. They have helped me to prepare my resume for jobs and with mock interviews. This has led me to successfully obtain my current position.”
For the month of February 2026 our Wellness Center South Team selected Jose Araujo as our Member Success Story. Jose visited WCS on June 18, 2025 after learning about our community of wellness from his Therapist at the Orange County Health Care Agency’s Aliso Viejo Open Access Clinic. Prior to joining WCS Jose explained that he had no hope. Jose was looking for a community, some friends and place where he felt that he belonged, his Therapist encouraged him to try to attend some support groups at WCS. Jose expressed that he has enjoyed the connections that he has made at NAMI Connections on Wednesday evenings and in our AA Support Groups. Jose likes the sense of community most along with the groups, the resources, being able to use the computers, meditation, playing guitar, and how comforting the center is. Jose has really expressed his gratitude for the coping skills he has learned at WCS as well as practicing grounding techniques like taking a deep breath and meditation. Jose enrolled in WCS’s Supported Employment Services and started utilizing the Employment Specialist to search for jobs. Jose discovered a job that peaked his interest it was with a local Recovery Program. Jose prepared for his interview while at WCS searching for the steps to apply in the WCS Resource Room. With the Support of the WCS Employment Specialist and the encouragement he received from his Peers, Jose was offered a job as a driver. Jose was met with some pre-requisites to start employment that had fees attached to the orientation of his new position without a way to pay for these expenses. Through the WCS Supported Employment Services at WCS our program was able to eliminate this barrier and pay for the costs associated with starting his new job. Jose has expressed that he loves his new full-time job and is excited that he is earning an income, at a job with benefits. Overall Jose is a great young working professional that expresses that he is beyond grateful to Wellness Center South and to have made great safe recovery relationships and feels that WCS has positively changed his life.
For the month of January 2026, the WCS Team has selected a member that enrolled in Adult Peer Supportive Services 6 years ago. When he came across the Wellness Center South in October 2019, he was hoping to find a program that could help him relearn how to live life. He learned about the center through his recovery process while at a detox facility; the staff there introduced them to WCS. The member thought to himself it’s conveniently near his home and it’s a nice place. Since day one he has been an amazing person, very helpful, great listener and non-judgmental and always encouraging others. What the member likes about the center is the concept of support groups. He learned to share about himself in groups, and that he will not be judged. All members have a story to tell, and we all can learn from one another. Something he developed over time while at the center was his self-confidence and really trusting himself. He realized that he is stronger than he gave himself credit. He has also been more open to volunteering and accepting others with whom they are. He is proud to sit in groups with all the members. Wellness Center South was the missing puzzle piece in his mental health recovery. One of his goals is to travel more and spend more time with family, especially his kids.
For the month of December, the WCS staff selected a member that has been part of our community of wellness for the past 5 months, he is 56 years old. When he joined, he never thought he would find a program/community like WCS. He also goes to AA meetings but there isn’t much interaction there; you can share but there is no chance for feedback from the rest of the attendees. For the member WCS feels like a combination of both community and mentorship. How he discovered the WCS was by exploring for DBSA groups outside of Saint Joseph’s Hospital he was introduced to Wellness Center Central (WCC). At WCC he mainly attended art groups, but he wanted to expand his recovery resources, so he decided to explore other wellness centers and that’s when he came across WCS. He started to attend DBSA and other support groups that interested him and help him in his recovery. What he likes about WCS is it gives him a place to go and helps him get out of his head. He likes the groups and the people to socialize with. He feels like he gets something out of the center. He stated that “It feels good to be at the center and its free of charge.” He has made new connections with the members and staff. He really enjoys seeing everyone. He has been able to exchange phone numbers with some of the members to socialize outside the center like going out for tacos on Taco Tuesday. One of the things he has learned from WCS is being positive. Seeing others who have been through a lot and still maintain a positive attitude is inspiring. One of the people he looks up to is our Bilingual Peer Support Specialist. How she always has a positive attitude regardless of the things she has gone through with her sister, leaving family behind in her home country and continuing to go to school and work full time. He thought to himself “if she can be positive why not me.” He also has been able to enhance his life in terms of his mindset and mental attitude. He has been using coping skills and treating himself better. He takes himself out on dates, goes for walks on the beach, and does things that help with self-care. He learned a lot about that from group discussions on healthy relationships and positive thinking. His main goal is to continue working on himself and to find peace within himself. Life will always have challenges, but he wants to cope better and be happy even during difficult times. He wants to enjoy life more, be present, and be a more positive person. He also wants to be a better example to others by making healthier choices and using better ways to deal with his emotions.
For the month of November, the WCS staff selected a member that joined Wellness Center South in 2017. The team has seen an incredible amount of growth with this member over the last twelve months. They have been able to develop excellent coping skills during a time of uncertainty with their employment as well as dedicate time to learn how to type using the computers in our Resource Room. They found out about WCS from a Wellness Center Central staff member telling them about the Lake Forest location, so they became a member at WCS because it’s closer to their home. Soon after they became a member the WCS employment specialist at the time helped them find a job at Walmart, they have remained employed at the same location ever since. Things this member really enjoys doing while participating in activities at WCS are bowling outings on Wednesdays, when they can bowl against another member for some friendly competition. They also enjoy events like Member Appreciation Day when the hamburger food truck shows up. They especially love attending Women’s Talk. This member is currently learning how to use computers and improve their typing skills. They explained that they would like to develop more skills in case something changes at their current job at Walmart—even though they’ve had that job for 8 years now.
For the month of October, WCS staff decided to recognize a member that joined WCS 10 months ago. She was aware of the various types of programs that the county offered but was unaware of the center until she walked through our door. Her and her family were recovering from some traumatic events from February 2024. She and her husband were starting to piece their lives together. They first started by attending a DBSA meeting in community but realized it was too far, so she went online and discovered WCS which was much closer to where they lived. She thought the place was too good to be true; so she downloaded the application for herself, her husband and her mom and they joined that Saturday. A few of her favorite memories at being at WCS is being proven wrong about her skepticism about peer work after interacting with one of the peers by playing the Ungame, interacting with the Lead Peer Specialist and seeing her give grace to others and finally seeing her husband improve with simply playing a game with the Employment Specialist and then finding work when all hope seemed lost. After 10 months still learning how to be and stay happy and mentally healthy. She also made new connections with Goodwill E-works and many people that are members and staff of the WCS. What she likes about the center is that the people make it all happen. They are very organized yet comfortably informal program schedule of events. The caring taken with every interaction and the quality of the location. She has learned various things from the members and staff from the center: from staff she learned she isn’t alone, she can think positive even when times seem difficult, that peoples feelings matter; Everyone counts, it never hurts to check in with the person we are talking to, to see what they need from us, Being of service is as rewarding as receiving help. How to communicate with different people, how nature can help her mental health. What she learned from members was positive thinking and it power. How to learn from each other. Always start with love in the heart. It’s okay not to be okay and never give up. Some of her goals are to continue working on her response to others when she is stressed out. She would like to find time to take more WCS workshops during the week. She also wants to actively work on her physical health with various activities, and she also wants to help other find their happiness, serenity and skills like she received at the WCS.
For September, the WCS Team has selected a member who has demonstrated tremendous growth here at our center. She has been a member since October 9, 2023. Prior to becoming a member, she had hopes of finding a place like WCS. In the time she has been attending the center she has developed her social skills and has learned to enhance her job skills by volunteering in WCS’s Work-Order Day as a Kitchen Assistant. She works under the supervision of the WCS Operations Manager making sure supplies are stocked in the kitchen. She is very open to hearing feedback about her performance from WCS staff. WCS staff is grateful for her contributions as a Work Order Day volunteer because she is very helpful placing other members lunches in the fridge and retrieving those lunches for our members when they are ready to enjoy the food they brought in. Some of the things she enjoys about the center is that it is a nurturing environment and that she has developed a lot of friendships. While being a part of the center she worked up the courage to be a part of the Member Advisory Board and eventually got nominated to become the MAB Vice President. She is very thankful that she was introduced to WCS by her case manager at Community Support Solutions. She looks forward to her future goals of finding part time employment, getting married and starting a family.
Wellness Center South staff have selected Jason Nevill who enrolled to join our community of wellness on July 24, 2025. He learned about the Wellness Center from a friend and wanted to attend the AA support group offered at WCS. This member explained that they were interested in expanding their recovery and that sobriety was most important to them in their personal journey of recovery. One of the goals he listed on his membership application was to find employment in the community. This member met with our Employment Specialist and designed an Individualized Employment Plan that started with creating a resume. This member accepted enrollment in WCS’s Supported Employment Services. We were very excited when this member reported that they were scheduled for an interview as a Cook at a healthcare facility and expressed gratitude to our Employment Specialist for assisting them with building their resume and supporting them in obtaining a Food Handler’s Card in preparation for their interview. They next spent time with our Employment Specialist preparing for their upcoming interview. After the interview was over our member stopped by WCS to report that they were offered the position on the spot and started working as Cook in the beginning of September. His favorite thing to cook at his new job are omelets, and he went on to mention how much he enjoys working with his new co-workers and his supervisor. He still comes to WCS to check-in and attends support groups on his days off. He is grateful for finding a sense of belonging and personal empowerment at WCS. He recently received his first paycheck and has new goals of saving up for a truck and moving out of his sister in-law’s home and renting a home with his husband of seven years. He lit up with a smile ear to ear explaining that this is his first real job with paid time-off and benefits.
For the month of July, Wellness Center South staff have selected a long-time member for Member of the Month. Lana has been a member here since 2016. In the past he has struggled with a mental health condition but has been stable for a long time now. He has been working for two years at his current job and is a good employee. Lana credits WCS staff for their support in his recovery and says that it’s here where he learned to not catastrophize. Groups he likes to attend include Art Groups, Cooking, Fun & Games, Karaoke, Improv Theater and Schizophrenia Alliance. Lana is a prolific artist, producing numerous drawings and handmade prints. A drawing he submitted to the MHSA Art Fair was the only WCS submission selected to be in the 2026 MHSA Art Calendar! Lana says he has made life-long friends here at WCS. He can often be found in the Art Room working on his art or socializing with other members throughout the Center. Lana enjoys attending all of the holiday events but especially likes Halloween when he always wears a great costume.
For the month of June 2025, the WCS Team is very excited to select a member who has been active since the end of 2024. He first came to Wellness Center Central in 2009 while they were still located in Santa Ana. This Member was diagnosed as bipolar at 20, but that did not stop him from working and going to school. He worked as a Peer for NAMI for over 10 years supporting Orange County. He recently became a Certified Peer Specialist as well. This Member actively participated in several groups at WCS like Grief Support, Healthy Relationships and many of our art activities. He also got a referral from WCS’ Employment Specialist this year to Goodwill E-Works. This led to a position in May as a Behavior Technician for Autistic Children. This Member also supports our community by participating in events such as Meetings of the Minds. He is very grateful for all of the support he has received at WCS. With his positive and calm demeanor, we are always happy when he pays a visit to WCS.
For the month of May 2025, the WCS Team is very pleased to select a member who has been active since April of 2022. She originally visited the center in 2015, but she became a member seven years later. As a longtime South Orange County resident, she went to college, worked and raised a family here. Her bipolar symptoms were often present in her life, but they did not become severe until she was an older adult. This led to a constant struggle in her personal life and with work. Since coming to WCS, she has found a welcoming community of friends and peers. The socialization groups have become very dear to her at WCS. She participates in the card playing games groups as well as sports talk. In 2023 she found a way to give back to WCS; she became a member of the centers’ Member Advisory Board. The WCS Team has also help this member with their job search culminating in her becoming a food attendant at a senior living center. Always a friendly and positive voice at WCS, our team is excited every time she visits us.
For April 2025, the WCS Team is excited to select a member who has been active at the center since November of 2021. This member has found an understanding and positive community at WCS these past 4 years. Raised in various areas of Orange County, he was diagnosed Autistic as a young child. He also deals with anxiety and depression symptoms. He began attending groups at Wellness Center Central in 2019. During the pandemic, he moved to South Orange County and was referred to WCS. The change of locations was a challenge at first, but through WCS Staff encouragement, he began to participate in several groups. A place like WCS allowed him the opportunity to talk with peers about his life, and his symptoms without judgment. DBSA is a very important group in his recovery. Our roleplaying game group became a huge part of his social life on Saturday afternoons too. He has also become extremely helpful setting up for WCS’s monthly events. With support from our Team, he began to take classes at Saddleback College in August of 2023. And finally, he became a member of WCS’ MAB in April of this year. This member is so happy that a place like WCS exists. Our Team has seen such a positive change these past few years in him!
For the month of March 2025, the WCS Team has selected a member who has been active since 2019. He has found a home and a community of wellness at WCS. Born and raised in South Orange County, this member was diagnosed as Autistic at an early age and bipolar at 29. His diagnoses led him to the realization that he needed more outlets for social activities in his 30s. He was searching for a place until a CSU social worker recommended, he visit WCS. This member immediately fit in with the positive culture at WCS. He facilitated groups and became an active participant during our weekly community meeting. He has also advocated for the creation of a sports talk group; because of his persistence, it has become one of the most popular groups at WCS. He made several good friends at WCS and spends time outside of the center with his fellow members. In addition, the WCS staff assisted him in finding a janitorial job that he has had for over 3 years. WCS has become an important part of his life, and he is grateful for our team. We always look forward to his weekly visits!
For February 2025, the WCS Team selected a member who has come a long way in his recovery the past year and a half. Raised in Orange County, this member had a distinguished career as a high school track athlete, and is a UCI graduate. After college, he began to struggle with bipolar disorder. This diagnosis made it difficult to find continued employment. In September of 2023, he was referred to WCS by his therapist. After taking a tour of the center with his fiancée, this member began to attend DBSA and actively participate in the group as cofacilitator. This member began to attend multiple groups and is especially fond of WCS’ art activities and social hour. In Addition, WCS’ Education and Employment Specialist was able to support this member with obtaining gainful employment. The member was hired as Peer Support staff by Goodwill E-Works in June of 2024. He loves his job helping others in their recovery journey. He is so grateful for the support offered to him by the WCS Team and our community of wellness!
For January 2025, the WCS Team has selected a member who has distinguished himself greatly at our center. Born and raised in Los Angles by a Holocaust survivor, this member has struggles with depression, anxiety and OCD for most of his life. After being released from incarceration, he became a member of WCS 3 years ago. Right away he brought a positive energy and a calm caring demeanor to the center. He cofacilitated groups, became DBSA Certified, and was Certified as a Med-Cal Peer Support Specialist. He has also been the president of the MAB since October 2023. He is a friend and mentor for many of WCS’ members. Several of them have mentioned numerous occasions he has offered words of encouragement and inspired hope. A recent foot surgery has not slowed down this member’s enthusiasm for advocating for people and serving the Orange County Mental Health Community. This member is forever grateful for the support he received at WCS, and our staff is grateful for him! To recognize this individual for their contributions WCS has nominated him for the Hope and Courage Award at the 2025 Mental Health Associations Community Service Awards Luncheon.