By Caleb Young
August 2021: We attended the first annual Sound of Mind mental health resource fair by Working Dogs for Warriors. A nonprofit organization dedicated to training service dogs for military warriors/first responders in Fontana, California. Luckily we were invited again for next year!
July 2022: I attended the Bi-monthly meeting with You Matter Not Alone. A mental health nonprofit committed to reducing suicide, advocating for wellness, and promoting mental health awareness for all active service members, veterans, military sexual trauma survivors, and their families. In addition to providing mental health treatment, peer support, and education to ensure they have access and support to begin their healing journey and well-being. Donna asked who would like to attend the “Sound of Mind” event. I gladly volunteered. If you know me, two of my passions are dogs and supporting those who put their lives on the line to save others day in/day out, be it military or first responders…
August 20, 2022: Alarm going off at 05:15 AM. I get up and get through my morning routine (I love waking up early; the stillness in the air is peaceful). Donna offers to pick me up, and we carpool to Fontana, roughly two hours away. In no time, we get to Fontana’s Veterans Park. This year, we are closer to puppies and the cars, which makes it a hell of a lot easier to unload the gear! As I unpack the supplies, Donna takes orders for Starbucks, and it’s just Jaclyn and I setting up until the Fontana Cadet Program volunteers offer to help. Within ten minutes, we are ready for the day. I start to make the rounds of introductions to the nearby booths. Some are from last year some are new. I introduced myself (Hi, my name is Caleb, what is this!?) to our neighboring booth, Victorious Mindset by Elizabeth Barajas, aka Mrs. Liz. She gladly explains what the booth is about. Next is a succulent station with beautiful plants for sale and wicked vases. I stop by a couple more booths before the announcements.
Afterward, the band starts to play, and the community walks around the booths. Meanwhile, I admire all of the handlers and their pups. There were so many different breeds of dogs, and even some were up for adoption. This time around, I introduced myself to Daisy and Michael (founders of the WDFW) and let them know my goal for the Climb for Heroes event. They are down-to-earth people; if you get a chance to say hi, do it! By the end of the day, You Matter Not Alone was given a plaque for the Wellness Warrior award. After packing up, in addition to saying our goodbyes, Donna and I stopped to grab food and headed home just in time for the one-year party of My Yoga Canyon Country.
Mental health is so important. There is a massive stigma about it, although it’s getting better; I’ll keep it short and sweet. Speak to someone. Anyone. Everybody has a story; everyone has been through something that has changed them. Never judge a person by the chapter you walked in on. To hear the stories is a blessing in itself…You are the author. Your story is still ongoing.
As always, do what you love and do it often! Till the next adventure…
About
Caleb Young graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a BA in Psychology, envisioning becoming a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) working with active duty military/families/veterans. Caleb has volunteered with various mental health nonprofits, including You Matter Not Alone, Working Dogs For Warriors, and the Heroes Project. He enjoys reading/writing, Jiu-Jitsu, and exploring the great outdoors. Follow Caleb on Instagram and Facebook.