My involvement in this organization was born of the need to turn tragedy into purpose. I lost my 15-year-old daughter to suicide in August of 2020. It continues to be the living nightmare I can never escape. All I can do is my best. My best to continue in a life devoid of my firstborn while everyone else’s grow up. My best to ask for help when I need it. But above all, my best to take care of the people around me. We had done literally everything we could for Lila (as evidenced by the checklist the sheriff's deputies used in my living room the day we lost her), including ensuring she attended regular sessions of the nearly-impossible-to-schedule therapy, but one thing we knew was missing from her life, especially during quarantine, was meaningful connection to those outside of our household. She would text with acquaintances here and there, but she had struggled to find a place she belonged. Nearly a year after losing her, I was on a crisis line and was informed that there was exactly one grief support group in the Antelope Valley. It met at a church in Lancaster on Thursday mornings at 10:30, which was impossible for me, as I worked standard business hours in Palmdale during the week. In October of 2022, it was my honor to co-found Live Oak Mental Wellness Project together with Michelle Pendergast in our mutual effort to heal our own wounds as we worked to help others heal theirs. As Live Oak grows and matures, we are continually looking for stories like mine and Michelle’s: AV residents who have a need that is not yet being filled by the many amazing resources already in place. By collaborating with others in the mental health professional community to create new resources in person and in print, we hope to show more people than ever that they are not alone and that no matter what they’re going through, they can learn the skills to make their lives better.

I was drawn to the nonprofit sector because I have always had a deep desire to help people and strengthen communities. Over the past eight years, I have expanded my knowledge of development and operations with the goal of increasing the impact I can make. This past year, my journey led me into the mental health field through my role as Development Manager for the Antelope Valley with Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA). In this capacity, I proudly represent the organization at community events, lead donation drives, cultivate partnerships with local organizations, and take on diverse responsibilities that advance MHALA’s mission of expanding mental health resources and access. While my time in the mental health field is still relatively new, my passion for it runs deep. Living and working in the Antelope Valley, I see every day the urgent need for more resources and support. I believe that mental health touches every life in some way and that it cannot be separated from the social and economic conditions around us. Through my role at Live Oak, I hope to contribute not only my professional experience but also my commitment to ensuring individuals and families in our community receive the care, resources, and support they deserve.

I am honored to serve as a Member-at-Large on the Live Oak Board of Directors. I bring my passion for mental health and community healing to the forefront of my service by the inspiration of my own lived experiences and lifelong dedication in supporting others. Over the past decade, I have worked as a Reiki, Rose Healer, and now a Hypnotherapy practitioner to combine both a spiritual and metaphysical approach that fosters holistic well-being. I have also hosted and participated in various women community circles throughout Los Angeles, creating spaces of empowerment, connection, and healing. In addition to my work in the healing arts, I am an educator with a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Southern California (USC). Through my dual role as a healer and an educator, I am committed to building strong, compassionate communities while also assisting individuals find their true strength and power through adversity.

I (she/her) am the Treasurer of the Board of Directors. I am an IRS Enrolled Agent designee with an expansive tax career covering almost 2 decades, starting with boutique tax offices to tax strategist for performing artists and celebrities. My passion for educating and helping clients achieve their financial goals lead me to open her own business Murphy Tax Solutions in 2023, a member of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce. I am currently attending Southern New Hampshire University with a major in Accounting working towards the Certified Public Accountant certification. I enjoy being involved in my local community through neighborhood outreach events. I am currently a participant of my local roller derby league, a fan of anime and horror movies.

I am the Assistant Team Leader for Keller Williams in Palmdale and Ridgecrest and currently serve as First Vice President for the Women’s Council of Realtors. With a strong background in administration and leadership, I ampassionate about helping others grow and succeed. Mental health is deeply personal to me, I have family members who live with mental health challenges and am the child of a suicide survivor. I am honored to bring both my professional experience and personal perspective to support the work of the board.

As a Member at Large for the Live Oak Mental Wellness Project, I find deep meaning in supporting individuals impacted by substance use, unhoused, foster care, incarceration, and mental health challenges because I’ve seen how these struggles can affect families and entire communities. Having witnessed similar challenges in my own community and within my own journey, I understand how important it is to provide compassion, consistency, and culturally grounded support. Helping others find hope, stability, and belonging reminds me why this work matters and why healing must always begin with empathy and connection. Growing up in Pacoima, CA, and now raising my family in the Antelope Valley, I’ve witnessed how compassion, connection, and community can truly transform lives. My professional journey began when I joined the Home Visitor Apprenticeship Program, where I earned my Child Development Associate Teacher Permit. That experience opened doors for me to be selected and hired by the Child Care Resource Center as a Parent Educator, supporting families in their early childhood and parenting journeys. My passion for advocacy and outreach then led me to become the Outreach and Engagement Coordinator at the Maravilla Foundation, where I deepened my work in community engagement and resource connection. Today, I am the Program Manager for the Timelist Group, overseeing Family and Advocacy Services a role that allows me to bring all my experience together to help families heal, empower, and thrive. I bring lived experience, cultural awareness, and a deep passion for advocacy to everything I do. My Salvadoran and Guatemalan roots have instilled in me resilience, empathy, and the importance of showing up for others. Being a mother, partner, and community member shapes how I approach healing with love, patience, and understanding. Food has also been a powerful part of my healing journey. Cooking connects me to my roots and the family I’ve lost it’s how I honor their memory and remind myself that healing can be found in simple, heartfelt moments. Through food, I’ve learned the importance of self-care and now use that passion to empower others to nourish their bodies, minds, and spirits.

I’m honored to join the Live Oak Mental Wellness Project Board of Directors as a new Member-at-Large. My path here grew out of years spent behind the scenes—supporting leaders, coordinating programs, and finding ways to make large organizations feel more human. Over the past decade working in finance and business operations, I’ve learned that the smallest details can make the biggest difference: a clear plan, a thoughtful process, or simply showing up for someone when it matters most. That perspective naturally shaped my passion for mental health advocacy. I’ve seen firsthand how people thrive when they feel supported and included, and how early, preventive access to resources can change lives. Within my professional life, I’ve been active in several staff affinity groups focused on inclusion and wellbeing, and those experiences deepened my commitment to building communities where everyone feels they belong. Joining Live Oak feels like the next step in that commitment. I’m excited to collaborate with fellow board members, volunteers, and community partners to help expand outreach, connect people to the resources they need sooner, and make mental-wellness conversations feel less intimidating and more accessible. I believe that promoting mental health is about more than responding to crisis; it’s about creating everyday conditions where connection, respect, and hope can take root. I look forward to supporting programs that meet people where they are—so they know they’re not alone and can build skills to care for themselves and others. Thank you for welcoming me to this meaningful work. I’m eager to listen, learn, and help strengthen the impact Live Oak has across the Antelope Valley and beyond.

My name is Ja’elle Ekila Newman, and my goal is to speak up, raise awareness, and do whatever I can to support those around me. In my generation, mental health is often talked about, but not always taken seriously. I want to be a voice that helps change that and be a beacon of hope, reminding others that emotional well-being matters. I am a dedicated and motivated student at The Palmdale Aerospace Academy, set to graduate in 2026. I have established a strong foundation in communication, organization, and problem-solving through both academic studies and hands-on experiences. Since 2020, I have worked as a housekeeper with Davis Professional Service, where I developed my ability to organize and multitask effectively. Every June, I also gain retail and sales experience working at a local fireworks booth, and during the sports season, I work as a referee for a youth recreational league, which has taught me how to manage conflict and think quickly under pressure. Beyond work, I actively volunteer with several organizations, including my school’s yearbook team, Great Commission Community Solutions, and Live Oak Wellness events. I am also a student-athlete, competing in volleyball, basketball, and track, where I was honored with seven athletic awards at the 2024–2025 spring banquet. Academically, I have remained in the top 10% of my class and earned the Diamond Honor Roll every semester of high school, the highest academic recognition at my school. Through my academic achievements, sports, work, and volunteer activities, I have demonstrated my ability to balance all of these tasks. These opportunities have shaped me into a well-rounded student and leader. I look forward to continuing to grow both personally and professionally.

I am well versed within the realm of mental illness. I consider myself as starting the journey to mental wellness in 2000, when I hit a personal bottom. I was drinking far too much, and it was as difficult for me to see, as it was to admit. Several months later I was finally able to string some serious sobriety together. Nobody ever said it would be fun or easy. Dropped to my knees and prayed to God for help, which is precisely when the miracle happened for me. In fact, Live Oak Mental Wellness Project was made official, exactly three days after my 20th anniversary of sobriety. Being born into a long line of alcoholics and substance abusers, I was able to realize the correlation between mental illness and addiction. I tried to drink away my depression and anxiety for years, but it never seemed to work. Bipolarity, anxiety, depression and schizophrenia are but a few afflictions my loved ones have battled. I watched them suffer and struggle and they coped to the best of their abilities, but it always seemed to exacerbate continued addiction. After years of therapy, coaching and counseling I have learned there is a better way to deal with life’s obstacles. My need to help and give back is an undeniable one. I want to share the miracle of recovery. Helping IS healing