OUR MISSION
Our mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals struggling with substance use disorders. We accomplish this goal by providing comprehensive evidence-based curricula in our programs. Our Board of Directors is made up of dedicated, progressive, and committed professionals. With their leadership, La Vida Nueva encourages and cultivates a passionate team committed to making a difference for residents of Kern County.
OUR VISION
La Vida Nueva aspires to provide superior, culturally sensitive substance use disorder treatment services as an integral partner in a comprehensive continuum of care. We aim to deliver services within an environment which promotes the dignity, rights, and full participation of individuals and their families.
VALUES
The following values guide the programs and services provided by La Vida Nueva
- Respect, compassion, caring, loyalty, and safety for all community members
- Honesty, integrity, and professional ethics in all undertakings
- Social responsibility and dedication to equity and justice
- Acceptance and celebration of differences
- A commitment to innovation and creativity
HISTORY
We were established in 1984 as the Kern County Chicano Commission on Alcoholism, a California Corporation. On May 25,1988, we changed our name to “Kern County Hispanic Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services” to introduce a broader spectrum of SUD treatment services.
The original mission of the Kern County Hispanic Commission was to serve Hispanic women in our community by providing prevention and treatment programs in Spanish-speaking communities. However, over the last few decades, our leadership recognized the need for our services across Kern County. In 2016, we began providing services to all individuals regardless of gender.
In 2024, we recognized the need for a new identity that better reflected our vision for the future. There was a common misconception, due to our old name, that we were only able to help Hispanic clients. However, our doors are open to anyone who needs help with their substance use disorder. We are an inclusive outpatient recovery center able to work with individuals from all cultures. To clarify our mission while keeping in touch with our history, we changed our name to “La Vida Nueva,” (Spanish for “The New Life”), because that is exactly what we aim to give our clients.
OUR PEOPLE
Hannah Garber, MA
Executive Director
Lupe Juarez, CADC-I
Supervising Counselor
Sesiah Aguirre, APCC, AMFT
Therapist
Stephenie Carroll, AMFT
Therapist
Francisco Fuentes, LPCC, AMFT
Therapist
Andrés González, ASW
Therapist
Madlyn Scott, ASW
Therapist
Adriana Tapia Cuevas, ASW
Therapist
Frank Jimenez, CADC-II
SUD Counselor
Allysa Kennedy, CADC-I
SUD Counselor
Michael Kesselman, CATC-III
SUD Counselor
Salina Perez, CADC-I
SUD Counselor
Vanessa Sanchez, SUDCC
SUD Counselor
Maria Ceballos, RADT
SUD Counselor Trainee
Angie Urias, CMPSS, RADT
Peer Support Specialist
Ahmed Abdulla,
Support Staff
Sophia Ruano,
Support Staff
OUR BOARD
- Victor VeVea, President
- Randy Andrade, Secretary
- Gabriel Godinez, Treasurer
- Bill Slocumb, Member at Large
- Roger Lampkin, Member at Large
Thank you to our 2023 corporate sponsors:
