San Juan Capistrano CA—U.S. Representative Mike Levin (D-CA) announced that Oscarin Ortega, Founder and Executive Director of Lived Experiences, is the Constituent of the Month. A born and raised resident of Oceanside in California’s 49th Congressional District, Oscarin Ortega created Lived Experiences to provide support and guidance to underrepresented youth whose challenges he understood firsthand.
See below for Rep. Levin’s statement recognizing Oscarin Ortega in the Congressional Record:
“Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Oscarin Ortega, Founder and Executive Director of Lived Experiences, a local youth outreach program, for my October Constituent of the Month. Born and raised in Oceanside, Oscarin launched Lived Experiences in 2018 to provide critical support and resources for underserved kids and teenagers in my District.
“After studying the effects of early childhood trauma and understanding the hardships on a deeply personal level himself, Oscarin wanted to ensure others could be set on a life path of success by providing the proper resources and guidance to help them flourish. Through training and mentoring, Oscarin educated himself on various restorative and therapeutic practices that could help him and others overcome the damages of their past. With programs dedicated to healing and hope, Lived Experiences prides themselves on encouraging their amazing kids to embrace their brightest futures.
“Oscarin has also stepped up to support local youth during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has exacerbated food insecurity, domestic abuse, and financial hardships. Seeing these strains particularly heightened among his youth and staff, Oscarin and Lived Experience set up food drives, school supply donations, fresh haircuts, community events, and much more to help alleviate the challenges of these unprecedented times. With the support of the community, the Lived Experiences team has so far distributed a total of 270,413 pounds of food to working families in Oceanside.
“I launched a Constituent of the Month program to recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond to make our region and our country a stronger place for everyone to live and thrive. Today, I am proud to recognize Mr. Ortega as my Constituent of the Month, and I thank him and his team at Lived Experiences for being incredible role models and positive examples for the youth in our community. I am honored to represent such an outstanding leader in my district.”
Representative Levin’s Constituent of the Month program recognizes outstanding North County San Diego and South Orange County Residents who have gone above and beyond to help their neighbors, give back to their community, and make the country stronger. Levin’s Constituent of the Month for September was Michelle Harvey founder of the San Diego Face Mask Sewing Group, a Facebook community page dedicated to sewing face masks for donation. His August was Darnell “DeeJay” Johnson, a community leader, racial justice activist and local high school football coach.
To nominate a resident of the 49th District to be the Constituent of the Month, fill out this nomination form.