Journey to Recovery
Marcus Ybarra, Recovery Mentor at OCH
Meet Marcus Ybarra
Marcus Ybarra's story at One Community Health (OCH) is one of remarkable resilience. Having been in substance use recovery for seven years, Marcus knows firsthand the power of addiction and the support needed to remain sober. He shares that each person has their own individual reason to recover. When he was finally ready, he came to OCH for help and he says that he never felt judged. Many people do not seek help because of the stigma that surrounds addiction. Once Marcus was sober, he was inspired to help others in similar situations. He trained to become a Peer Support Specialist, and now supports patients in our Integrated Medication Assisted Treatment (IMAT) program to change their lives. His lived experience makes him a fantastic peer mentor for others in recovery.
How You Can Help
Marcus meets with IMAT patients who are seeing our providers for medical treatment and therapy related to addiction; he also hosts peer support groups at OCH and in the community. He knows that helping people feel less alone and sharing his story can encourage others to change. You can often find Marcus outside of the clinic, connecting with patients or others who may be considering treatment and meeting with partners.
Marcus serves on the Board of the Columbia Gorge Resolution Center and is a Drug and Mental Health Court team member for both Wasco and Hood River Counties. In 2022, Marcus began partnering with the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facility (NORCOR), recognizing that incarceration provides an opportunity to connect those struggling with addiction to care.
Your Help Matters
Recovery from addiction can be challenging, especially when a person may not have the right support in place. Many of our patients are at the intersection of addiction, housing, economic, mental and physical health issues. The opioid crisis is impacting our friends and family members here in the Gorge. Often, our patients struggle to find sober housing arrangements, adequate nutrition, or transportation, which can interfere with their progress toward recovery. When you contribute to OCH’s IMAT program, you're not just providing financial assistance, you're giving hope to those battling addiction.