A Path to a Brighter Future

 Through the True-North Annual Intensive and year-round prevention programs, we equip foster and system-involved youth with the tools, mentorship, and support to lead drug-free, purpose-driven lives.

Our trauma-informed curriculum integrates prevention education, life-skills development, and mentorship that builds resilience, self-worth, and confidence.

By providing safe spaces, consistent guidance, and ongoing follow-through, True-North empowers youth to make strong choices, establish stability, and transition confidently into adulthood.

Our mission is rooted in hope — preventing substance use before it begins and creating pathways toward healthier futures.

 Dr. Bonnie Mitchell, DBH, LPCC, has dedicated her career to supporting individuals and families through mental health, addiction recovery, and integrated care. Since 2014, she has served in clinical and executive leadership roles—overseeing community health programs, directing multi-site treatment clinics, and expanding access to comprehensive behavioral health services. Now based in San Diego as Clinical Director of Healthy Life Recovery, Dr. Mitchell continues her commitment to building stronger communities. She is especially passionate about investing in youth, believing that with the right support, young people—particularly those overcoming adversity—can thrive as they transition into adulthood. During the annual intensive, Dr. Mitchell provides clinical leadership and oversight, ensuring a trauma-informed, safe, and supportive environment for all participants.  

Her work also integrates evidence-based prevention education and emotional-regulation strategies, helping youth strengthen coping skills and protective factors that reduce the risk of substance use.

 Dr. Tunde Bosu (he/him) is a board-certified physician in Addiction Medicine and Family Medicine. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California and his medical degree from Yale School of Medicine. With extensive experience in adolescent treatment settings, Dr. Bosu brings a trauma-informed, holistic approach that emphasizes self-acceptance, healing, and long-term wellness. He addresses the interplay of physical, emotional, and social health to support recovery and resilience. During the summer intensive, Dr. Bosu serves as Medical Advisor, helping ensure a safe, trauma-informed environment and clear protocols for health navigation, opioid awareness, and prevention education. 

 Toni Collins, LVN, is a trauma-informed nurse with 20+ years of experience in behavioral and mental health, substance-use recovery, pediatrics, and acute care. She has also served as a Compliance Director, aligning programs with DHCS, CDCR, and Joint Commission standards. A foster parent for most of her adult life, Toni combines deep clinical expertise with compassion for youth facing complex medical and behavioral needs. During the annual intensive, she provides round-the-clock on-site nursing leadership—overseeing safety checks, medication management and MAR documentation, first aid response, and protocol compliance.  

Toni also plays a key role in health education and prevention efforts, teaching youth the importance of self-care, wellness, and substance-free living.

 Lynnette Gonzalez, SUDRC,  is the Founder & CEO of True-North Initiative and serves as Program Director and youth mentor. Growing up in the foster care system, she experienced firsthand the challenges of stepping into adulthood without consistent guidance or support. Those early hardships shaped her conviction that every young person deserves a chance to rewrite their story. Today, Lynnette leads with purpose and clarity—building safe, structured spaces where youth strengthen life skills, connect with trusted adults, and chart next steps. During the summer intensive, she coordinates operations and mentoring to ensure every participant is seen, supported, and set up for follow-through. 

 Liana Campos is the owner and CEO of Parallel Fashion, a resilient entrepreneur who turned personal adversity into a thriving retail brand built on authenticity and innovation. As Lynnette’s sister, she brings a deeply personal connection to the mission of True-North Initiative.

During the Annual Intensive, Liana leads guided career conversations and branding workshops—showing youth how creativity, storytelling, and design can become tools for empowerment. Her mentorship emphasizes confidence, positive identity, and prevention through purpose, helping young people channel their experiences into healthy, productive outlets. Following the Intensive, Liana continues serving as a year-round mentor, providing ongoing guidance in entrepreneurship and personal development.

 Prince Rugira, SUDRC, brings strength, resilience, and a heart for service to his role as Youth Mentor & Residential Lead. Based in San Diego, he works as a behavioral health technician and sober-living house manager, where he leads by example and builds community.

Having overcome challenges of his own, Prince inspires youth with hope and steady encouragement. He leads the boys’ housing group with a nonjudgmental, connection-focused approach, making him a trusted mentor and positive role model for the young men he supports.

Prince also facilitates prevention-focused discussions and activities that emphasize confidence, emotional regulation, and drug-free living. Following the Annual Intensive, he continues as a year-round mentor, providing ongoing mentorship and prevention support to youth throughout San Diego County.

  Mike Boyd, FPC, brings more than 33 years of emergency-medical experience as a flight paramedic serving the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms. Known for perseverance and a servant-leader mindset, Mike is passionate about helping young people discover meaningful, mission-driven careers.

During the Annual Intensive, he offers a guided session on the EMT-to-flight-paramedic pathway—covering certifications, training timelines, and entry-level opportunities in emergency services. His approachable leadership and personal story of resilience model healthy coping, discipline, and prevention through service. Mike continues to serve as a year-round mentor, offering structured follow-up and support to youth pursuing career goals or navigating life transitions.

 Oscar Reyes is a radiology and cardiac scrub technician whose journey reflects resilience, hard work, and the power of community support. The first in his family to attend college, he knows that progress is built with guidance, grit, and opportunity.

During the Annual Intensive, Oscar leads guided career conversations and demos on healthcare pathways—covering certifications, on-the-job learning, and education options. His mentorship encourages prevention through purpose, helping youth see how stability, structure, and service can open doors to independence and healthy living. Following the Intensive, Oscar continues as a part-time mentor, offering follow-up support for participants exploring healthcare or vocational pathways.

 Charles Beal, SUDRC, overcame significant challenges early in life, shaping the resilience and empathy he brings to youth work. With more than 14 years in recovery, he holds a Peer Support Specialist certification and is pursuing his CADC-I credential.

At True-North Initiative, Charles offers steady mentorship grounded in lived experience and accountability. During the Annual Intensive, he coordinates logistics, supports safety routines, and helps maintain a calm, structured environment. His leadership reinforces prevention education and positive role-modeling, guiding youth to build consistency, respect, and hope. Charles also continues as a year-round mentor, providing ongoing check-ins and coaching that strengthen each participant’s long-term success.