[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 179 (Tuesday, October 20, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E972]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING OSCARIN ORTEGA AS CONSTITUENT OF THE MONTH

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                            HON. MIKE LEVIN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 2020

  Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize 
Oscarin Ortega, Founder and Executive Director of Lived Experiences, a 
local youth outreach program, for my October Constituent of the Month. 
Born and raised in Oceanside, Oscarin launched Lived Experiences in 
2018 to provide critical support and resources for underserved kids and 
teenagers in my District.
  After studying the effects of early childhood trauma and 
understanding the hardships on a deeply personal level himself, Oscarin 
wanted to ensure others could be set on a life path of success by 
providing the proper resources and guidance to help them flourish. 
Through training and mentoring, Oscarin educated himself on various 
restorative and therapeutic practices that could help him and others 
overcome the damages of their past. With programs dedicated to healing 
and hope, Lived Experiences prides themselves on encouraging their 
amazing kids to embrace their brightest futures.
  Oscarin has also stepped up to support local youth during the COVID-
19 pandemic, which has exacerbated food insecurity, domestic abuse, and 
financial hardships. Seeing these strains particularly heightened among 
his youth and staff, Oscarin and Lived Experience set up food drives, 
school supply donations, fresh haircuts, community events, and much 
more to help alleviate the challenges of these unprecedented times. 
With the support of the community, the Lived Experiences team has so 
far distributed a total of 270,413 pounds of food to working families 
in Oceanside.
  I launched a Constituent of the Month program to recognize 
individuals who have gone above and beyond to make our region and our 
country a stronger place for everyone to live and thrive. Today, I am 
proud to recognize Mr. Ortega as my Constituent of the Month, and I 
thank him and his team at Lived Experiences for being incredible role 
models and positive examples for the youth in our community. I am 
honored to represent such an outstanding leader in my district.

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