At Social Model Recovery Systems, we believe that personal stories and shared experiences are powerful tools for healing.
This month, we’re proud to welcome three new team members whose journeys reflect resilience, compassion, and a deep commitment to service.
Customer Service Representative
CARE Center
Manny Gonzalez is an Orange County native with a deep passion for music and community. He began his education at Fullerton College, where he majored in Music Education and minored in Psychology. During his time there, Manny was actively involved in both community organizations and various programs within the music department.
He later transferred to San Francisco State University, where he completed his studies and chose to make the Bay Area his home for the past ten years. During that time, the COVID-19 pandemic drastically altered the course of his life. This pivotal moment led him to transition into the field of public health, where he began working for the Human Services Agency as a Health Plan Enrollment Specialist.
In that role, Manny collaborated with Medi-Cal and Medicare to assist a diverse range of individuals, including immigrants, new residents, and those experiencing homelessness in accessing health coverage. His primary responsibilities included enrolling clients into health plans and helping them navigate their benefits.
Recently, Manny relocated back to Southern California to be closer to family. While job searching, he came across Social Model Recovery Systems (SMRS) through an online job posting. He felt a strong pull to apply due to his personal ties to recovery. Having witnessed several family members struggle with addiction, he understands firsthand the importance of recovery and the non-linear path it often takes.
This lived experience inspired Manny to join the team at SMRS, where he is now excited to support others just as his family was supported. In his personal time, Manny enjoys playing the flute, traveling with friends, and discovering new foods. He is thrilled to be part of the team and hopes to be not only an asset but also a positive role model for coworkers, residents, and participants.
Primary Aide
Royal Palms
Patrick Lerma is a San Fernando native whose personal journey through recovery has shaped his passion for helping others. His transformation began in August 2019 while incarcerated, when he made the life-changing decision to seek help and break free from a cycle of substance use and repeated incarceration. That decision led him to become a resident at Social Model Recovery Systems, where he began the deep work of understanding the roots of his addiction and embracing the tools necessary for lasting change.
During his time in treatment, Patrick committed himself fully to the recovery process. Inspired by the progress he made, he set a clear goal: to become an Alcohol and Drug Counselor and support others on their own paths to healing.
After completing the program in 2019, Patrick went on to work as a carpenter until 2022. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic brought personal grief, as he lost several close friends to addiction. These painful losses only deepened his commitment to making a difference in the recovery community. Determined to pursue his calling, he enrolled in community college and later transferred to the Los Angeles Training Institute for Alcohol and Drug Counseling, where he is now one class away from completing his certification.
Motivated not only by his own journey but also by a promise he made to his late mother, Patrick is dedicated to helping others find hope, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Primary Aide
Royal Palms
Juan Guzman, a native of Los Angeles, is thrilled to join the SMRS team at the Royal Palms. He recalls walking into a 12-Step meeting there nearly a decade ago while struggling with his addiction. That moment would mark the beginning of his journey, which led him through periods of homelessness and incarceration, experiences that he described as being blessings in disguise, ultimately guiding him to treatment.
After several stints in rehab and a renewed commitment to his recovery, Juan is proud to celebrate nearly two years of sobriety, the longest he’s ever maintained. He’s deeply committed to giving back to the recovery and LGBTQ+ communities that supported him in building a solid foundation for his sobriety.
Juan is currently working as a sponsor with two sponsees and regularly volunteers in 12-Step meetings. He’s eager to apply the principles of his recovery to a career in drug and alcohol treatment. Recently, he completed his RAD-T certification and is excited to continue his education. He plans to return to UCLA to finish the Sociology degree he began 20 years ago, a goal he’s determined to complete by 2026.
In his free time, Juan enjoys playing tennis, hiking, trying new restaurants, and is a season ticket holder for the Angel City Football Club.
