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SHARE! helped a Marine get back on her feet

After serving three years in the Marine Corps in Okinawa, Japan, Bel Ng faced her own battles, only this time with unemployment, addiction and struggles with mental health.

Upon her return to California, Bel secured a job in social work, serving autistic children. However, severe addiction and mental health struggles led to her losing her job. Feeling desperate, she checked into an in-patient treatment center to tackle her issues directly. She also attended self-help support groups where she found others who embraced her without judgment and supported her in sobriety.

A second chance

Having built a foundation of recovery, Bel struggled to overcome a long period of unemployment. Finally, a job recruiter connected her with an opportunity at SHARE!, where she became a peer specialist. For Bel, the chance to give back in recovery was more than a job. It was a lifeline. The support and newfound confidence gave her a fresh start in life.

Bel’s discipline and commitment soon helped her earn a promotion to program coordinator at SHARE! Recovery Retreat in Monterey Park. Bel oversees operations and manages staff to ensure the SHARE! Recovery Retreat meets its objectives, offering free, structured two-week sessions where people live as a family, supporting each other and developing the skills and resources to jumpstart their recovery. Under Bel’s stewardship, the Retreat serves more than 180 people a year.

Helping a fellow veteran

One respite guest who was experiencing homelessness touched Bel’s heart. The Army veteran was at a crossroads, having entered the Retreat focused on his own recovery. With SHARE!’s support, and under Bel’s mentorship, however, he began to envision a life that included reconnection with his estranged family. Recognizing progress, Bel reached out to his family, leading to a transformative reunion that set them on a path toward healing and reconnection.

Bel’s experiences in the military and with SHARE! have allowed her to deeply connect with those undergoing similar struggles. “The story of the homeless veteran is just one example of the positive impact we can have at SHARE! on people’s lives,” says Bel.

Breaking cultural barriers

Bel’s journey has also had a ripple effect, extending to her Chinese family and the broader community. In many Asian cultures, including the Chinese community, there is often a negative stigma surrounding addiction and mental health issues. Bel’s openness about her struggles and her work in recovery has helped to challenge these cultural taboos. “My family initially had a hard time accepting my journey, but seeing the positive impact I’ve had on myself and on others has changed their perspective,” Bel says. “It’s also opened up conversations within our Asian community, making it easier for others to seek help.

SHARE! empowers people, including veterans, to change their own lives and provides them a loving, safe, non-judgmental place where they can find community, information and support.

Support SHARE! programs that help veterans dealing with trauma, mental health issues, addiction, PTSD, and other issues.

• SHARE! Collaborative Housing
• SHARE! Recovery Retreat
• Volunteer-to-Job program
• Free Self-Help Support Groups – In-person & Zoom
  (See the Meeting Schedule)

SHARE! helped a Marine get back on her feet

After serving three years in the Marine Corps in Okinawa, Japan, Bel Ng faced her own battles, only this time with unemployment, addiction and struggles with mental health.

Upon her return to California, Bel secured a job in social work, serving autistic children. However, severe addiction and mental health struggles led to her losing her job. Feeling desperate, she checked into an in-patient treatment center to tackle her issues directly. She also attended self-help support groups where she found others who embraced her without judgment and supported her in sobriety.

A second chance

Having built a foundation of recovery, Bel struggled to overcome a long period of unemployment. Finally, a job recruiter connected her with an opportunity at SHARE!, where she became a peer specialist. For Bel, the chance to give back in recovery was more than a job. It was a lifeline. The support and newfound confidence gave her a fresh start in life.

Bel’s discipline and commitment soon helped her earn a promotion to program coordinator at SHARE! Recovery Retreat in Monterey Park. Bel oversees operations and manages staff to ensure the SHARE! Recovery Retreat meets its objectives, offering free, structured two-week sessions where people live as a family, supporting each other and developing the skills and resources to jumpstart their recovery. Under Bel’s stewardship, the Retreat serves more than 180 people a year.

Helping a fellow veteran

One respite guest who was experiencing homelessness touched Bel’s heart. The Army veteran was at a crossroads, having entered the Retreat focused on his own recovery. With SHARE!’s support, and under Bel’s mentorship, however, he began to envision a life that included reconnection with his estranged family. Recognizing progress, Bel reached out to his family, leading to a transformative reunion that set them on a path toward healing and reconnection.

Bel’s experiences in the military and with SHARE! have allowed her to deeply connect with those undergoing similar struggles. “The story of the homeless veteran is just one example of the positive impact we can have at SHARE! on people’s lives,” says Bel.

Breaking cultural barriers

Bel’s journey has also had a ripple effect, extending to her Chinese family and the broader community. In many Asian cultures, including the Chinese community, there is often a negative stigma surrounding addiction and mental health issues. Bel’s openness about her struggles and her work in recovery has helped to challenge these cultural taboos. “My family initially had a hard time accepting my journey, but seeing the positive impact I’ve had on myself and on others has changed their perspective,” Bel says. “It’s also opened up conversations within our Asian community, making it easier for others to seek help.

SHARE! empowers people, including veterans, to change their own lives and provides them a loving, safe, non-judgmental place where they can find community, information and support.

Support SHARE! programs that help veterans dealing with trauma, mental health issues, addiction, PTSD, and other issues.

• SHARE! Collaborative Housing
• SHARE! Recovery Retreat
• Volunteer-to-Job program
• Free Self-Help Support Groups – In-person & Zoom
  (See the Meeting Schedule)