BUS130 Conversation with Oscarin Ortega of Lived Experiences

Summary

In this video, Oscar Ortega, CEO of Lived Experiences, shares his journey and the mission of his charitable organization based in Oceanside. Founded on his own experiences and a desire to give back, Lived Experiences started as a youth mentoring program focusing on trauma and social-emotional skills. The organization has since expanded to address broader community needs, including establishing a food pantry and a mobile laundry service for the homeless and low-income families. Ortega discusses the challenges of securing funding and the systemic issues within the non-profit sector, emphasizing the importance of community organizing and the need for policy change.

Takeaways

• 😀 Oscarina Ortega is the CEO of Lived Experiences, a charitable organization based in Oceanside, focused on community development and support.
• 🏆 Oscarina was a former student who took Business 130 to help establish Lived Experiences, reflecting his commitment to education for community service.
• 🌟 The organization started with a youth mentoring program, emphasizing trauma discussion and social-emotional literacy, aiming to foster non-judgmental connections.
• 🔄 Lived Experiences has evolved to address systemic issues within nonprofits, seeking to provide support in a manner that respects the dignity and autonomy of those it serves.
• 🌱 The COVID-19 pandemic redirected the organization's efforts towards food distribution, highlighting the flexibility and responsiveness of Lived Experiences to community needs.
• 🍽️ A mobile laundry unit was created to serve both the homeless community and local families, underscoring the innovative solutions Lived Experiences develops to tackle everyday challenges.
• 🏙️ The organization's work is grounded in the community, with Oscarina living where he serves, which strengthens the connection and understanding of local needs.
• 💼 Oscarina's journey with Lived Experiences has been challenging, particularly in securing funding and navigating the bureaucratic hurdles often associated with non-profit work.
• 🤝 There's a call for volunteerism and community involvement, with Lived Experiences being open to students and others who wish to contribute to their cause.
• 💡 Oscarina encourages aspiring community leaders and entrepreneurs to stay true to their mission, even when faced with external pressures to conform to traditional methods of service delivery.

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