Empowering the Hispanic Community in Contra Costa County
Starting in July, Support4Recovery proudly inaugurates two dedicated homes in Contra Costa County—the first in the region to provide specialized substance abuse programs for Spanish-speaking men and women. Thanks to the Contra Costa County Measure X Innovation Fund, these homes will welcome six women and six men, offering free, culturally competent support and safe, sober housing where recovery is possible and dignity is restored.
What truly sets our program apart is our commitment to meeting the community’s mental health needs.
In our homes, residents will have direct access to licensed mental health therapists who speak Spanish—a resource that is extremely rare and urgently needed. Typically, Spanish-speaking clients must wait up to 90 days just for an appointment with a mental health specialist. Support4Recovery eliminates this barrier, providing compassionate, immediate, and culturally relevant care that is tailored to each individual.
Our journey began with a community study that exposed the profound challenges facing the Hispanic population in Contra Costa County—challenges that too often leave critical needs unmet. This research, together with the documentary “Finding Hope in America” (funded by John Muir and Shadow Power Productions), inspired Support4Recovery’s mission and the innovative Hispanic Outreach Project.
Backed by more than 141 housing grants from John Muir over the past five years and now by Measure X, we are leading the way to address the shortage of both treatment beds and Spanish-language mental health services—making meaningful recovery finally accessible.
Holistic Services at Our New Homes
Pablo Martinez is a tireless advocate for the Spanish-speaking recovery community and for improved access to alcohol and drug treatment. Born in Mexico, Pablo has not only experienced, but overcome the structural impediments Hispanics face when seeking addiction treatment, including personal, social, and structural barriers. Pablo was a counselor at Pueblos del Sol, the only Spanish-speaking detox and treatment center in Contra Costa County. He now leads the Support4Recovery effort to help drive the movement advocating for expanded treatment in the Hispanic community.
Pablo Martinez: Is a tireless advocate for the Spanish-speaking recovery community and for improved access to treatment. Born in Mexico, Pablo has not only lived, but overcomes the structural impediments Hispanics face in seeking treatment for addiction, including personal, social and structural barriers. Pablo is a former counselor at Pueblos del Sol, the only Spanish-speaking detox facility in Contra Costa County. He now leads Support4Recovery’s effort to help bolster the movement advocating for treatment expansion in the Hispanic community.
Ashley Lacey-Ontiveros is a dedicated Latin-American mother of two, who has been in recovery since 2022 and free from drugs and alcohol. Throughout her journey to sobriety, Ashley has achieved significant milestones, beginning with the closure of her CFS case in December 2023, leading to the reunification with her children full-time.
She is a graduate of “Restore,” a women and children aftercare program, and the S.P.I.R.IT. class of 2024. Ashley plays an active role in her community through her involvement with her home church, “New Hope Concord,” where she teaches a spiritual 12 steps program to women.
Dedicated to supporting others on their journey, she is leading the Hispanic Women’s Project with Support4Recovery. Through this initiative, she offers vital assistance by guiding women through residential treatment programs and translating group curriculums.
Her commitment extends to her role on the Child Abuse Prevention Spanish Speaking Council in Contra Costa County. Ashley is soon to begin workshops in jails specifically targeting Hispanic women, aiming to inspire hope through her lived experiences. Her passion remains steadfast in supporting and empowering Hispanic women, with a goal to create a positive impact and instill hope within her community.
Your support is invaluable. Whether through volunteering, contributing resources, or spreading the word, every effort bolsters our mission to empower and support the Hispanic community. Together, we can build a supportive network that enhances well-being and improves the recovery journey for many individuals in our community.
The Emergency Housing Fund is intended to support individuals who have not received assistance from other organizations. Applicants who have already received funding elsewhere are generally not eligible for this program.