Today we’d like to introduce you to Hazel Ortega.
Hi Hazel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story is one of overcoming significant adversity and transforming my life through education, resilience, and the support of what I call my “Pushy Angels.” Growing up in the tough neighborhood of Echo Park in Los Angeles during the 1980s, I faced numerous challenges, including poverty, gang violence, and a lack of educational guidance. My parents were frequently involved with the criminal justice system, and I often found myself taking care of my younger siblings. Despite these hardships, I always hoped for a better future.
The turning point came when I met my first “Pushy Angel,” an LA County judge who was part of a youth program. This judge encouraged me to pursue education and planted the seeds of a vision for my future. With this support, I completed high school, earned a bachelor’s degree, and eventually obtained a master’s degree in educational psychology. I began my career in the Los Angeles court system as a legal secretary. After suffering a workplace injury, I realized the difficulties people face in navigating the system to get the help they need. This experience inspired me to help others, and I established the Ortega Counseling Center from my home garage. Through this center, I have assisted over 40,000 injured workers in finding new career paths, which has been incredibly fulfilling. Today, I continue to inspire and uplift others through my life by 2032 through education and various resources. My journey from “bounced checks to private jets” is a testament to the power of resilience, vision, and the support of those who believe in you.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story. Has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
No, my journey was not a smooth road. I faced numerous significant obstacles along the way. Growing up in Echo Park, Los Angeles, during the 1980s, I was surrounded by poverty and gang violence. My parents were frequently involved with the criminal justice system, which left me without proper guidance or role models. I often had to care for my younger siblings, and my family focused solely on survival. This environment made it difficult to envision a different life.
One of the major turning points was when a childhood friend and a cousin were killed, which only added to the trauma I was already experiencing. Despite these bleak prospects, I always hoped my life could be different. When I started working in the Los Angeles court system, a judge who became my first “Pushy Angel” encouraged me to pursue education. This support was crucial, but it was not easy. I had to overcome the challenges of balancing work, education, and personal life. Completing my high school diploma, associate degree, and later a master’s degree in educational psychology required immense perseverance and determination.
After sustaining a workplace injury, navigating the workers’ compensation system was another significant challenge. This experience opened my eyes to the need for better support for injured workers, especially those needing to improve their English. This led to the creation of the Ortega Counseling Center, which I started from my home garage. Building this center and helping over 40,000 injured workers find new career paths was a significant achievement but came with challenges, including ensuring the center’s sustainability and effectiveness. Throughout these experiences, the support of various “Pushy Angels” was critical in helping me overcome these obstacles and achieve my goals.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about OCC?
My organization, Ortega Counseling Center, provides comprehensive support for injured workers. We are known for our dedication to helping individuals navigate the often complex workers’ compensation voucher system and our commitment to empowering people to find new career paths after their injuries.
What we do at Ortega Counseling Center, we offer a range of services designed to assist injured workers in transitioning to new careers. This includes career counseling, job training, and educational programs tailored to each individual’s unique needs. We aim to provide the necessary tools and support to help our clients rebuild their lives and achieve long-term success. We specialize in providing personalized vocational counseling and support for injured workers. Our unique approach includes psychological support, practical job training, and educational opportunities. Our profound commitment to our client’s success sets us apart from other organizations. We don’t just focus on finding a job but on building a sustainable, fulfilling career path that considers the individual’s strengths, interests, and circumstances. Our “Pushy Angels” approach provides relentless follow-up, continuous support, and encouragement, ensuring our clients never feel alone.
We are most proud of our impact. Over the years, we have helped over 40,000 injured workers find new career paths and regain their sense of purpose. This impact is a testament to our practical strategies and unwavering commitment to our clients. Our brand is built on resilience, empowerment, and transformation. We want readers to know that we are here to support them through every step of their return to work process.
Our offerings include:
- Career Counseling: Personalized guidance to help individuals explore new career options.
- Job Training: Programs tailored to provide the skills needed for new job opportunities.
- Educational Support: Assistance with continuing education to enhance career prospects.
- Holistic Support: Emotional and psychological support to help clients overcome the mental barriers to recovery and success.
At Ortega Counseling Center, we believe in individuals’ potential to overcome adversity and build a brighter future. We provide the tools, support, and encouragement to make that future a reality.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Taking risks has played a crucial role in my journey and business development. Risk-taking is an essential component of growth and transformation. We limit our potential without taking risks and miss opportunities for significant change. Risk-taking is about stepping out of your comfort zone and venturing into the unknown to achieve something more significant. It involves weighing potential outcomes and deciding that the rewards outweigh the possible setbacks. It’s not about being reckless but about being courageous and strategic.
One of the major risks I’ve taken is pursuing education despite adversity. One of the significant risks I took was pursuing higher education despite my challenging background. Growing up in poverty with little to no guidance, the idea of completing high school, let alone earning a master’s degree, seemed far-fetched. This decision involved financial, emotional, and time-related risks. However, it ultimately paid off by providing me with the tools and confidence to build my career and business.
Launching my counseling center was another significant risk. After a workplace injury, I identified a need for better support for injured workers. However, starting a business from my home garage came with numerous risks, including financial instability and uncertainty about whether the business would succeed. Despite these challenges, I moved forward because I believed in the mission of helping others navigate their recovery and career transitions. Taking risks is necessary for achieving significant accomplishments.
My approach to risk involves:
- Assessing the potential impact: Evaluating the positive and negative outcomes of taking the risk.
- Being prepared: Making sure I have a plan in place to manage any potential setbacks.
- Learning from failure: Viewing failures not as the end, but as learning experiences that guide future decisions.
- Staying committed: I believe deeply in my vision and stay committed to it, even when the risks seem daunting.
My experiences taught me that the most significant rewards often come from the biggest risks. Each risk I’ve taken has brought valuable lessons and opened new opportunities. Whether the outcomes were successful, they contributed to my growth and resilience. Taking risks has been integral to my personal and professional development. By embracing risk, I’ve achieved things that once seemed impossible and helped others do the same.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ortegacounselingcenter.com
- Instagram: ortega_counseling
- Youtube: ortega counseling center
