Finding Light After Darkness: Izzy’s Journey with Oakland Family Services

At just 17 years old, Izzy has already faced more than many do in a lifetime. From a turbulent home environment marked by addiction and instability to a courageous path of healing and hope, Izzy’s journey is a powerful reminder of the resilience that lives in all of us—and the critical role that support systems like Oakland Family Services can play.

“I’ve pretty much always had anxiety,” Izzy shared. “I was on edge all the time from being with my family.” When she was young, Izzy lived with her mother, her uncle, and her grandparents. The adults in her life struggled with substance use.

Izzy described her childhood home as mentally abusive. “Growing up, my nickname was ‘Little Brat.’ I was called ungrateful all the time. Looking back at it, I think I had the right to be a little ungrateful because of the way they treated me.”

Unfortunately, the home also became physically abusive when her uncle went on a violent rampage. As he was beating multiple family members, eight-year-old Izzy called 911. “It was very, very scary. I think about it a lot.” She then went to live with her aunt.

With little support, Izzy’s mental health did not improve, which impacted her academic performance. “I was not a good student. I was in school attendance-wise, but mentally I was just somewhere else.” Her social life was also affected. “I was so jumpy and scared all the time that it kind of led to me not having many friends because I was ‘weird.’”

Things escalated to the point where Izzy started to self-harm. “There was a time when I was self-harming every day for a whole month, and I did not think that was going to change.” At age 13, Izzy attempted suicide. “I almost succeeded. It was really horrible,” she shared. Emergency room nurses told her she needed professional help for her mental health.

With the help of her mom, Izzy researched therapy for children. That is when they learned about Specialized Services for Youth at Oakland Family Services, a program designed for families with a child or adolescent suffering from emotional, behavioral, or psychological stress.

Izzy was paired with Genevieve, a home-based therapist who provides trauma counseling. “I absolutely love her. She’s super honest and she’s so funny,” Izzy said with a smile. “I didn’t expect I would bond with a therapist over our sense of humor.”

Genevieve takes a well-rounded approach to therapy. Izzy finds it helpful when the two of them make crafts or spend time outside together.

Izzy also works with Dr. Gallardo for medication management. “She really listens to me. “She always picks me up if I’m having a bad day and tells me I’m doing well. Sometimes I just really need to hear that.”

Through treatment at Oakland Family Services, Izzy was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. The combination of therapy and psychiatric services has helped her symptoms improve.

“I have felt so much better. There are actually things I want to do. I leave the house every day. It’s such a good feeling when you are on the right dose of medication and think, ‘wow, this is what it feels like to be OK.’”

Izzy has made incredible strides in every aspect of her life. Once a student with a 0.3 GPA, she’s now a high school graduate. “I actually got moved up a whole grade level,” she said proudly. Izzy plans to take a gap year before pursuing a career in radiology.

Currently, she works as a cashier at a pharmacy, where she has formed friendships with her coworkers. “That’s the reason I want to go to work. Money is second. I just want to see my friends.”

Izzy is also learning to build boundaries and maintain healthy relationships. She’s made amends with her family and lives with her mom, who is now sober, her stepfather, and her beloved cat, Pearl.

Since coming to Oakland Family Services, Izzy hasn’t self-harmed in over a year. She credits the care she’s received with helping her reclaim her life.

“If I hadn’t found OFS, I don’t think I would have gotten any better. I think I would still be self-harming,” Izzy shared. “The staff here are very understanding. They are just super great people. I feel like I can consider Genevieve one of my friends. She's definitely one in a million.”