Founder’s Story

My name is Claudia, and I am the Executive Director and Founder of Mess 2 A Message. The organization began as a vision in 2018 and was fully incorporated as an independent 501(c)(3) in 2019. Based in Southern California, we serve Los Angeles and Riverside Counties with the goal of helping individuals move from hardship to healing.

My personal journey is at the heart of our mission. Childhood trauma led me down a path of drugs, alcohol, crime, and homelessness. While incarcerated at the California Institution for Women, preparing to be transferred to Puerta La Cruz Firecamp, the idea for Mess 2 A Message was born. Upon release, I entered a treatment program led by peers and mentors who had faced similar struggles. Their encouragement and resources changed my life. Since my sobriety date on October 5, 2015, I have dedicated myself to helping others find freedom and recovery, just as I did.

At Mess 2 A Message, our mission is to build trust with individuals facing mental health challenges, substance use issues, and barriers from incarceration. We provide the tools and support needed to make lasting changes and become active members of society. Our programs include counseling, career readiness training, job placement assistance, safe housing, and peer support. By modernizing outreach and creating welcoming environments outside of traditional office settings, we meet people where they are and help them move from dependence to independence.

The success of our work depends on collaboration. We partner with graduates, volunteers, service providers, and compassionate funders to create a network of hope and opportunity. We do not see ourselves in competition with other nonprofits but as part of a united effort against a shared crisis. Every life transformed is a victory — for families, for communities, and for humanity itself.