Social Model Recovery Systems (SMRS) is proud to celebrate Joanna Gomez, Program Director at Pasadena Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (PCADD) AOD, on her recent graduation from Los Angeles Southwest College, where she earned her Associate of Arts in Sociology.
For Joanna, this achievement is more than a degree. It is a reminder of how far she has come and what is possible when someone chooses not to give up on themselves.
Her decision to return to school began with encouragement from Melanie Arellano during a conversation at Bimini. That conversation stayed with Joanna and helped give her the push she needed to enroll. Looking back, she shared that she never imagined she would make it this far, which makes this milestone even more meaningful.
Some days were not easy, but she stayed focused and kept going. Between work, school, and personal life, Joanna had a lot on her plate. Through it all, she leaned on her faith and trusted God to guide her.
Her journey also connects deeply with her work at PCADD. As a leader, Joanna understands the importance of compassion, encouragement, and support. She brings those values not only to the participants served through the program, but also to her team. For Joanna, supporting staff with compassion is just as important as supporting the individuals and families who come to PCADD for help.
Joanna is most proud of never giving up on herself. Walking across the stage became a powerful reminder that her journey is not over. Instead, it motivated her to continue her education and keep reaching for what comes next.
“Why stop now?” she shared.
To anyone thinking about going back to school, Joanna’s message is simple: just do it. Starting may be the hardest part, but the reward of continuing is something to be proud of.
Congratulations, Joanna, on this beautiful achievement. Your dedication, faith, compassion, and perseverance are an inspiration to your team, your colleagues, and the PCADD community.
