Leading the Way for Inclusive Service at Social Model Recovery Systems
This year, Social Model Recovery Systems (SMRS) was proud to see one of our own take center stage at the CCAPP Annual Multicultural Conference in Fresno. Vanessa Ramos, Program Director at Royal Palms, was selected as a featured speaker, sharing her experience and expertise on the vital topic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in addiction treatment.
As a DEI panel speaker, Vanessa shared real-life tips and stories about making workplaces more welcoming for everyone. Her message was simple: creating truly inclusive organizations takes effort and a willingness to keep learning. People from all over California connected with her ideas and left inspired to better support participants or residents from every background.
Supporting Vanessa at the conference was Melanie Arellano, SMRS’ Los Angeles Regional Director. Melanie joined the event not only to cheer on Vanessa but also to gain new perspectives on advancing DEI within SMRS and beyond. Both leaders emphasized the need for continued learning and training to keep diversity, equity, and inclusion at the heart of service delivery.
The conference was full of energy, with lots of chances for people to connect, share ideas, and learn from each other. Besides the workshops and talks, everyone enjoyed a lively Drag Show and a Community Pow Wow, bringing people together to celebrate different cultures and the spirit of recovery.
Vanessa’s presence at the conference showed how much Social Model Recovery Systems cares about making everyone feel welcome. As people left Fresno feeling inspired and energized, Vanessa’s message stayed with them: when we include everyone, we help build stronger, more caring communities, one story and one step at a time.
