Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Gonzalez.
Hi Angela, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Every passion begins somewhere, often not in light, but in the quiet shadows of adversity.
For me, it started in childhood. I knew pain far too early. I learned what it meant to feel small, unheard, unseen. The kind of trauma I faced didn’t just leave memories, it shaped the lens through which I saw the world. But in that pain, something powerful took root: empathy. A deep, unwavering compassion for others who suffer, especially children.
As I grew older, that heart for hurting children and families only intensified. As a family of 4, we decided to grow our family through adoption. We knew love was powerful, but we also knew love alone wasn’t always enough. We had to understand the stories behind the behaviors, the neuroscience behind the trauma, and the tools that could bring healing.
So I dove in. I became a student of trauma – its effects on the brain, its invisible fingerprints on a child’s life, and most importantly, how to bring safety and connection to those impacted by it. I studied, listened, learned, and kept learning. One thing is certain – there is always hope!
That journey transformed me.
Today, I’m passionate about creating spaces where children and families feel safe, seen, and heard; because I know what it feels like when they’re not. My past fuels me to do the work I do. It’s the reason I advocate, support, teach, and hold space for others.
Out of brokenness, a calling was born. And from that calling, a life of purpose continues to grow. I get to bring forth my purpose through The Nurture Place. The Nurture Place is what my family needed when I was a little girl, and the place I wish existed when our children were young. At the Nurture Place, we are a voice and a resource for those who have experienced adversity, helping to build pathways toward healing and hope.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have certainly been challenges along the way. Leading a team of passionate, highly trained professionals means we are constantly pushing to deliver high-quality services across our programs. The work is deeply rewarding, but it can also be hard and heavy at times.
What keeps us going is our community – our incredible team of therapists, facilitators, volunteers, and board members. During the toughest moments, we lift each other up. We remind ourselves why we do this work. And then there are the triumphs, the stories of children and families whose lives have changed for the better. Those moments of transformation and healing make every obstacle worth overcoming.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Nurture Place is an innovative mental wellness movement with a mission to bring accessibility of trauma-informed resources to every family. As a non-profit 501c3, we prioritize affordability by offering scholarships and low-cost services to children, individuals, and families.
We offer a range of services to meet the mental health needs of our community:
-Nurture Groups in local schools and in our offices,
-mental health resources for the Spanish speaking community,
-individual therapy for all ages and family therapy,
-trauma-informed trainings,
-support for adoptees and adoptive and foster families,
-and more.
I am proud of the diversity of our staff, the expertise of our therapists, and the impact we have on the community.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is my faith, my family, my community, and living out my purpose through the work I do. At the core of everything I do is a deep belief in the value of people. Being trauma-informed means I strive to meet others where they are with empathy, compassion, and without judgment.
As I step into the second half of life, my focus has sharpened: I want to make a meaningful impact in my community. I believe in the transformative power of love, in the importance of accepting people as they are, and in lifting up the next generation. Mentorship and empowerment are central to my purpose—helping others discover who they are, and how they too can create a positive ripple effect in the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thenurtureplace.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenurtureplace/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenurtureplaceorg/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nurture-place/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenurtureplace
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-gonzalez-3714901b7/
Image Credits
Brandon Kari Productions (just for photos 4, 5 and Angela’s photo)
