My journey hasn’t always been one of peace or stability. I spent many years battling addiction, domestic violence, and incarceration, leaving my children to face a justice system they didn’t even fully understand. For a long time, I felt lifeless, disconnected from my own potential and my purpose.

But everything changed when I encountered positive mentors—people who surrounded me with hope, love, and inspiration. They saw something in me when I couldn’t see it in myself, and they poured life into me when I had none to give. Through their support, I found the strength to turn my life around.

Today, I am honored to give back to the community I once took from. I am a proud mother and wife, a peer counselor, and a healing center practitioner, committed to helping others navigate their own journeys toward healing and empowerment. I’ve always been a leader, but now, I lead with compassion, guiding others toward a life of hope, strength, and renewal.

From the moment I changed my life, I knew I had a fire inside me to help others. I want to empower people to heal not just for themselves, but for their families and communities. I believe that healing isn’t a competition—it’s a collaboration. Our collective strength is in working together, not against each other. Together, we can heal the brokenness that has plagued our communities for far too long.

When I think about healing, I feel an excitement and passion that fuels the work I do—work that never truly ends. There is always more to be done, but every step we take toward healing is a victory. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this transformative journey, and I hope to continue inspiring others to find their own path to healing, just as I did.

I am a passionate and dedicated peer counselor, recently certified through the HCA Peer Support Program. My personal journey, overcoming years of verbal and physical abuse, has deeply shaped my desire to support others in their mental health journeys. I understand the emotional toll that mental health challenges can take, and I am committed to helping individuals navigate their own struggles.

Having faced a period of deep depression, I found strength in the support of my family and organizations like the one that helped me rise above my circumstances. I firmly believe that with the right support, healing is not just possible – it’s achievable.

With a combination of personal experience and formal education, I am confident in my ability to connect with and guide others in their healing process. Additionally, as a bilingual counselor, I am excited to offer support to a wider range of individuals, helping them break barriers and find hope on their path to recovery.

Hi there,​

My name is Jasmin Jimenez and I’m a certified peer support counselor here in Yakima. I’m here to offer support empowering individuals to reach their full potential. With a focus on personal growth and development, my coaching sessions are tailored to help clients define and achieve their goals. Through a blend of empathy, motivation, and goal-setting techniques, I guide individuals towards positive transformations in various aspects of their lives. Working with me, clients can expect unwavering support, valuable insights, and a personalized approach that paves the way for their success, making their journey of personal development easy and enjoyable. With a unique blend of empathy, motivation, goal-setting, and lightheartedness, I create a supportive and fun environment where clients can thrive effortlessly. Together, we’ll tackle challenges, set inspiring goals, and embark on a transformational journey filled with progress and laughter.

@Jimenez1991@live.com

My story starts with being raised by immigrant parents who worked tirelessly, but they only earned enough to provide the basics: food and shelter. With them rarely home due to long hours, I had to grow up quickly, figuring out how to survive on my own. The weight of that struggle led me to work at a warehouse just to make ends meet. Along the way, I found myself trapped in a cycle of drug addiction and even got involved in selling them to survive.

But life is a teacher, and it wasn’t until I lost close friends to drugs that I realized I had to break free. I knew I had to change my path—not just for myself, but for the generations that follow. That’s when I decided to turn my life around. I embraced the craft of cutting hair full-time, seeing it as not just a job, but a way to build a future I could be proud of.

At 26, I’m full of life and more determined than ever. I want to leave a legacy—not just of success, but of impact. A legacy that shows the next generation, especially the youth facing the same struggles we did, that they can rise above their circumstances. It’s not about where you come from, but where you’re willing to go.

I want to be a voice for those who feel unheard, and a beacon of hope for those fighting the battles many of us face just by being born Black or Brown. My mission is simple: help build the future, uplift the youth, and change the narrative.

Every day, I work not just to support my family, but to empower others to take control of their destiny, create a better life, and leave their own legacy of change.

A certified peer counselor who’s been through the hardest parts of life and come out stronger. As a single mom of three amazing boys, I made the difficult decision to leave an abusive relationship after years of struggle. I know what it’s like to feel scared, confused, and question whether you’re making the right choices. I’ve been there.

My experience goes beyond theory. I understand the late-night fears, the practical worries like “Where will we live?” or “How will I provide for my kids?” The constant second-guessing that comes with it all.

I specialize in supporting parents—especially those who are protecting their children while trying to protect themselves. The truth is, you do deserve better, and I’m here to help you find your way there. No judgment, no pressure—just honest conversation and practical advice.

I’ve rebuilt my life from scratch, and I can help you discover your strength to do the same. One step at a time, and I’ll be right there with you, every step of the way.

My name is Jasmin Verduzco, and I was born and raised on the west side of Yakima, Washington—a place marked by gangs, crime, and hardship. When my father went to prison, my mother was left to raise five children alone. Life wasn’t easy, but I learned early on that pain could either break you or build you. I chose to rise.

Determined to break generational cycles, I turned to education and hard work. In 2020, I took a leap of faith and started my own lash business. What began as a passion quickly became a thriving business—a symbol of resilience and proof that your past doesn’t define your future.

Today, I use my platform to empower women, especially Latinas in Yakima. My lash chair is more than a service—it’s a space for healing, encouragement, and real conversation. I mentor, uplift, and remind women that they are strong, capable, and deserving of success.

I’m committed to being a voice for women in my community and inspiring the next generation to rise above their circumstances. Life will test you, but you are stronger than your struggles—and you always have the power to rise again.

I grew up in a home of eight children, where we witnessed the painful realities of alcoholism and domestic violence. In a household where violence was the norm, some of my siblings chose to allow addiction and trauma to continue affecting their lives. However, half of us made the conscious decision to break the cycle and not let this trauma define us.

For over 35 years, I’ve dedicated my life to working within the community, helping individuals and families overcome the struggles that many of us still face today.

As a peer-certified counselor and a healing center practitioner, I focus on empowering women and children, guiding them through their own journeys of recovery and resilience. I am deeply committed to supporting those who are fighting the same battles my family once did, helping them find healing and strength to move forward.

I come from a place of struggle, but it doesn’t define me—it’s part of my story, not the end. Born as the seventh child to a single mother battling addiction, I learned early on what it means to fight for survival. Poverty was my constant companion, and the world felt like a place where fear and uncertainty were my only friends. I was a little girl who wore hand-me-downs from the garbage, begging neighbors for food just to make it through the day. Growing up in the “hood” taught me to mask my pain, to survive. But in that survival, I lost sight of my self-worth. It took me years to understand that my past did not have to dictate my future. I became a mother at a young age, forced to grow up faster than most. I fell into many of the same cycles I saw around me, yet deep inside, I knew I wanted something different for myself and my children.

Through all the struggles, I made a promise to myself: no longer would I hurt myself or let the pain define who I was. Every day, I work on becoming the best version of myself, not just for me, but for my family and my community. My past does not have to limit my future.

Now, as a Certified Peer Counselor, I use my story to help others. I know firsthand how difficult it can be to overcome trauma and hardship, and I approach my work with a deep sense of empathy, compassion, and understanding. I believe in creating spaces where people feel safe, heard, and empowered to heal. Life’s challenges do not define us—they shape us, but they do not have to be the end of our story.

I’ve learned that we are all capable of growth, of blooming, even after we’ve been through the hardest seasons of life. My mission is to help others realize that no matter where they’ve been or what they’ve been through, they have the power to create a new future. Together, we can nourish our lives, heal from our wounds, and grow into the people we are meant to be.

As a Certified Peer Counselor and founder of Fresh Start Barbershop, I’ve dedicated my life to uplifting my community and helping others transform their lives. Growing up in the eastside of Yakima, Washington, I faced challenges such as gun violence, poverty, and gang influences. But, despite these obstacles, I found solace and strength at the YMCA, where my passion for basketball flourished. While many of my peers got involved with gangs, the YMCA became my refuge and my outlet for growth and positive change.

After spending 15 years working in youth outreach at the YMCA, I worked with thousands of at-risk youth, coordinating after-school programs, sports events, and late-night activities. I developed a deep understanding of their struggles and strengths, sharing a common bond that helped me connect with and empathize with each person. These experiences have shaped my approach to my current profession—where empathy and understanding are at the core of everything I do.

My journey into barbering started at home, where haircuts were a luxury we couldn’t afford. Growing up in a household with five boys and a father, my family made do with at-home haircuts. What began as a necessity turned into a passion. I started by cutting my own hair, then moved on to cutting my brothers’ and friends’ hair, eventually offering free cuts to everyone in my neighborhood. In many ways, giving back to others with something as simple as a haircut became a central part of my identity and continues to shape my work today.

The opening of Fresh Start Barbershop was inspired by my experiences, both with the YMCA and with my own journey of overcoming anxiety, depression, and the challenges of growing up in poverty. The name reflects my belief that everyone deserves a fresh start, and that’s exactly what my barbershop offers—a space for people from all walks of life to come together, support each other, and find a sense of community.

Healing is a journey that often begins before we fully understand the weight of our struggles. For me, trauma at a young age set me on a path of self-discovery and healing long before I was ready. Sexual trauma, depression, anxiety, and the consequences of fear-driven decisions taught me hard lessons about myself and the world around me. I’ve faced dark moments—self-harm, financial mistakes, and pushing people away—but I’ve always found strength in rebuilding. What I’ve learned through my challenges is this: we’re all capable of more than we think. The pain I’ve experienced hasn’t defined me; instead, it’s given me the tools to heal, grow, and show up for others in ways I never imagined. I’ve learned the power of empathy, vulnerability, and being open to transformation. Now, my mission is simple: to help others embrace their own growth, to break free from the stories of stagnancy and failure, and to find healing in community. Through my own experiences, I’ve learned that we can heal together, and there’s always a way forward. If you’re struggling, know this—there is always hope, and there are people who are here for you. We all have the power to take control of our healing and create the life we deserve.

I grew up in the Lower Valley, between Sunnyside and Granger, and faced many obstacles that shaped who I am today. At 16, I dropped out of school to care for my mother, who was battling terminal cancer. After her passing on my 19th birthday, I found myself struggling to keep afloat, turning to selling and dealing just to survive.

The challenges didn’t stop there I went to abusing drugs and alcohol, in and out of prison and losing my family my fiance and kids , and I carried my grief and mental health struggles in silence for years. But instead of letting my past define me, I used it to fuel my growth. Over time, I found the strength to break free from the cycle of hardship. Today, I am a counselor dedicated to helping others who have faced similar struggles.

I believe in the power of resilience and the hope that, no matter the obstacles, change is possible. My journey has taught me that it’s never too late to turn your life around and give back to the community that raised you. I am proud to be a living example of that change

Julio Romero is a certified peer counselor and Healing Centered Engagement Practitioner with a passion for mentorship, community support, and personal transformation. Drawing from his lived experiences-growing up without a father, overcoming personal loss, and rebuilding his life after a difficult period in 2022—Julio is dedicated to guiding others through grief, trauma, and life’s challenges. As a barber, henaturally fosters open conversations and provides informal counseling. creating a safe space for individuals to express themselves. His specialties include youth mentorship, fatherhood support, and community violence intervention. Julio has completed the Certified Peer Counselor Pre-requisite Training (December 15, 2024) and the Healing Centered Engagement Practitioner Certification (February 23, 2025), equipping him with the skills to facilitate healing and empowerment through a strength-based and real-life mentorship approach. He actively organizes peer

incorporating live music and food to create welcoming environments for open dialogue and connection. Julio’s approach centers on Healing Centered Engagement, ensuring individuals feel heard, valued, and encouraged to take charge of their growth. He offers both one-on-one and group support, balancing empathy with professionalism while maintaining strong boundaries. His goal is to help young men and fathers navigate challenges, rebuild their confidence, and develop positive coping strategies.

Good Day My People!

My journey has been shaped by significant challenges, beginning with witnessing domestic violence in my family and enduring the emotional impact of my parents’ divorce. During this time, I found myself drawn to the wrong crowd, using drugs and alcohol to cope with the pain. Growing up in a neighborhood surrounded by gangs, I became involved in criminal activities like breaking into homes, driven by financial struggles and the need to survive.

The emotional toll of my parents’ divorce was particularly heavy. I felt isolated, unable to talk to anyone about my feelings, and turned to my friends for emotional support, believing they would understand me. Humor became my coping mechanism, helping me connect with others, but beneath that mask, I was struggling deeply.

Through these difficult experiences, eventually found the strength to recover. Overcoming my challenges, including trauma and substance use, has been a long and ongoing process. This journey has taught me resilience, the importance of self-compassion, and the power of seeking help when needed. My personal recovery journey has deeply influenced my desire to become a certified peer counselor, as I want to help others who are facing similar struggles.

My lived experiences give me a unique perspective and the ability to offer empathy and understanding to others. I approach my counseling with a commitment to listening without judgment, creating a safe space for healing, and empowering those I work with to find their own path to recovery.