Inspiring Conversations with Jeanette Barreto and Cory Brosch of Villages of California

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeanette Barreto and Cory Brosch

Hi Jeanette and Cory, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
From the very beginning of our careers, we’ve both been passionate about serving youth and families. We actually met through our work and, over the years, found ourselves crossing paths in different organizations, supporting young people facing mental health challenges, families involved in child welfare and probation systems, individuals with substance use disorders, and those in acute behavioral health settings.

As our careers progressed, we each developed experience from different perspectives—clinical care, operations, program development, and organizational leadership. That combination gave us a unique lens. We saw not only the incredible work being done, but also the gaps that often prevented families from receiving timely, coordinated, and accessible support. We realized that exceptional clinical care alone wasn’t enough. Strong partnerships, responsive leadership, and sustainable systems were just as essential to creating meaningful outcomes.

Over time, it became clear that we shared the same vision. We wanted to build an organization that could respond quickly to community needs while delivering high-quality, compassionate care for youth and families. Just as importantly, we wanted to create a workplace where clinicians and staff felt supported, valued, and empowered to do their best work.

We didn’t start Villages because we wanted to build a company—we started it because we believed we could build a better way of serving children, families, and the communities that support them.

Starting Villages meant leaving established careers and stepping into the uncertainty of entrepreneurship without outside investors or a guaranteed path for growth. We believed that if we focused on building trust, delivering exceptional services, and becoming true partners to the communities we served, the opportunities would follow.

There were definitely moments where we wondered whether we’d made the right decision. Building an organization from the ground up comes with uncertainty, and there are days when the weight of that responsibility feels overwhelming. But every time we saw the impact our team was making in the lives of children and families, it reminded us exactly why we started. That purpose continues to guide every decision we make today.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like most entrepreneurs, we can honestly say the journey hasn’t been a smooth one—but we wouldn’t change it.

Launching a behavioral health organization in Orange County meant introducing ourselves to school districts, community organizations, and families who had never worked with us before. We had to earn our reputation one relationship at a time. Without years of organizational history or established outcomes to point to, our credibility depended on consistently showing up, following through, and delivering high-quality services.

One of the biggest challenges was balancing long-term vision with the realities of running a growing organization. Like many startups, we experienced financial pressures, operational growing pains, and the responsibility that comes with building something from the ground up. Many of those early conversations happened virtually, making it even more challenging to establish meaningful relationships and trust.

Rather than viewing those challenges as obstacles, we saw them as opportunities to prove who we were. Every program we launched, every partnership we built, and every family we served reinforced our commitment to quality, responsiveness, and collaboration.

Looking back, we’re especially grateful that many of the organizations who took a chance on us in those early years remain valued partners today. There’s no greater compliment than having partners continue to trust us because they’ve experienced the impact of our work firsthand.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Villages of California?
At Villages, our mission is to make high-quality behavioral health services accessible to youth, families, and schools through meaningful partnerships and responsive care. While we’re proud of the programs we’ve built, we’re even more proud of the relationships we’ve earned. Our school districts, community organizations, and families know they can rely on us because we’ve built our reputation on trust, consistency, and follow-through.

One of the things that sets us apart is that we don’t see ourselves simply as a service provider—we see ourselves as a partner. Every community has unique needs, and we work alongside our partners to develop solutions that are practical, sustainable, and centered on the well-being of children and families. Whether that’s expanding access to behavioral health services, creating new programs, or helping families connect with essential resources, our goal is always to respond thoughtfully, collaboratively, and with a long-term commitment to the communities we serve.

We’re also deeply committed to investing in our team. Because we’ve personally worked in the field, we understand both the rewards and the challenges of this profession. Creating an environment where clinicians and staff feel supported, respected, and able to grow professionally isn’t just important to us—it’s essential. We know that when our employees thrive, the children and families they serve benefit as well.

Collaboration has been one of the driving forces behind our growth. We’re grateful for partnerships with organizations like the Boys & Girls Club of Central Orange Coast, led by Robert Santana and Kristal Duran, who share our commitment to expanding access to mental health services for young people. Together, we’ve been able to provide support in environments that offer far more than counseling alone—places where youth have access to mentorship, recreation, STEM opportunities, and a genuine sense of belonging. Those partnerships reinforce our belief that supporting a child’s mental health means strengthening the entire community around them.

We’ve also learned that trust isn’t built through big moments alone—it’s earned in the small ones. It’s returning a phone call when someone needs help, responding quickly when a school district is facing a challenge, supporting a family beyond what was expected, and following through on every commitment we make. Those moments don’t always make headlines, but they’re the foundation of lasting partnerships and the reason so many of our partners continue to choose to work with us year after year.

Perhaps the biggest lesson we’ve learned is that lasting impact isn’t created by having all the answers—it’s created by listening well, showing up consistently, and never losing sight of the people we’re here to serve. Every child, every family, every school, and every community has a unique story, and we believe the best solutions begin by understanding those stories first.

Above all, we’ve never measured success simply by the number of programs we operate or the size of our organization. Success is measured by whether families feel supported, whether our partners trust us, and whether the work we’re doing creates meaningful, lasting change. If our communities are stronger because we were part of them, then we’ve accomplished what we set out to do.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
We don’t think of ourselves as people who take unnecessary risks, but we do believe that meaningful progress requires the courage to step into uncertainty.

Our approach has always been to take calculated risks. We spend a great deal of time thinking through potential challenges, asking difficult questions, and developing contingency plans before making major decisions. At the same time, we’ve learned that leadership often requires moving forward before every answer is available.

Starting Villages was certainly one of those moments. We knew there were no guarantees, but we also knew there was a real need for an organization that combined strong clinical care with responsive operations and authentic community partnerships. Rather than avoiding uncertainty, we focused on what we could control—providing exceptional services, building trust, and consistently delivering value.

As we’ve grown, our philosophy hasn’t changed. Every opportunity requires balancing mission, sustainability, and long-term impact. One of the best ways we’ve learned to manage uncertainty is by surrounding ourselves with talented people who bring different experiences and perspectives. Our leadership team isn’t afraid to challenge ideas, ask hard questions, and work collaboratively toward the best solution.

Ultimately, we believe the greatest risk isn’t thoughtful growth—it’s becoming complacent. The needs of youth, families, and schools continue to evolve, and we’re committed to evolving alongside them because the communities we serve deserve organizations that continue learning, adapting, and improving.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.villagesofca.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/villages_ca/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/92412718/admin/dashboard/

Image Credits
@ajoyfulrosephotography