Ana Mejia is a 2005 alum of the original FACES program at Children’s Hospital Oakland (now called CHAMPS). She graduated from Holy Names University in 2009 with a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She then returned to Holy Names and graduated in 2013 with a Master’s in Counseling Psychology. She currently works as a Program Director for Lincoln Families: a non-profit organization dedicated to providing mental health services to youth and families.
During her time in FACES she had many interesting rotations. The one that stuck with her the most was her rotation with the Medical Social Department. Here she was able to find her passion of helping others and providing support within the mental health field. When asked about what FACES means to her she said, “it’s a place of support, a place where I found my passion and fell in love with the career I have now. If it wasn’t for FACES I wouldn’t be where I am. That rotation helped me find a career I love”. FACES showed her that it is possible for a second-generation Chicana to hold a position in the health field. She mentioned, ” FACES believed in me and my peers when nobody else could”. Now she hopes other students can see where she in her path and feel inspired to reach their dreams. She stated, “I want students of color to know that it is possible”.