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National Social Work Month
In honor of National Social Work Month, we want to celebrate the many ways social workers contribute to our communities and systems.
Facilitator Spotlight: Rebeca Chavez
Rebeca Chavez didn’t always see herself as a facilitator — but looking back, it’s hard to imagine her as anything else. From leading literacy circles for teen moms during college to facilitating restorative justice conversations with youth…
More Than a Mandate: How Youth Voice Shaped the Open Doors Curriculum
When the Open Doors training curriculum was first taking shape, the team faced a foundational question: Who belongs at the table? For Tia Cochran-Otis, Curriculum Development Lead, the answer was immediate: young people.
Community Spotlight: Jovenes, Inc.
On January 14, 2026, Open Doors expanded its reach into southeast Los Angeles County with a full-day Core Training alongside Jovenes, Inc. in Whittier, California. The gathering brought together nearly 40 staff members who work directly with youth experiencing homelessness, creating a rare opportunity for collective learning, reflection, and connection.
Youth Voice: Meet Coatlupe “Lupita” Martinez
Coatlupe “Lupita” Martinez (they/she) is a member of the Open Doors Youth Council, and that’s only one part of who they are. They’re an herbalist, a student, a youth organizer, an older sibling, and someone on their healing journey.
Community Spotlight: Waking the Village
In December of 2025, the Open Doors team partnered with Waking the Village in Sacramento for a care-centered training that brought together staff across creative programming, outreach, wellness, housing, and employment services.
Mentorship Spotlight: Alina & Donald
In this candid Q&A, Donald and his mentor Alina reflect on a relationship that grew naturally through shared work, honest check-ins, epic event flops, and hard-earned confidence.
Their story shows how belief, consistency, and simply showing up can help young people step into leadership and carry that confidence forward long after the mentor steps back.
Youth Voice: A Conversation with Axel Pecero
This past August, Open Doors Youth Council member Axel Pecero was detained by ICE while attending an Open Doors training and youth council meeting in Burbank, California.
Today, he is still forcibly held in an ICE facility while awaiting a decision from the judge on his fate.
Community Spotlight: Saddleback Community College
On November 7th, 2025, Open Doors facilitators Kat Besse and Francisco Valverde traveled to Southern California to train with staff members from Saddleback Community College in Mission Viejo. The group consisted of folks from many different departments throughout the college, from financial aid to counseling.
Microlearning: Self-Care as a Strategy
Self-care is often depicted through bubble baths, vacations, or “treating yourself.” In the youth-serving space, however, self-care has a deeper function. It is a grounding practice and a professional responsibility that directly shapes the safety, connection, and support we offer young people.
