🌍 Why We Are Here
Every year, thousands of young people across California face the difficult transition to adulthood without consistent support systems.
True-North envisions a future where every foster and system-involved young person enters adulthood with life skills, stability, purpose, and the support needed to thrive.
We exist to guide youth toward healthier pathways where prevention, purpose, and hope meet opportunity.
🍃 Mission & Vision Statement
The mission of True-North Initiative is to equip foster and system-involved youth with prevention education, mentorship, safety, and life-skills support that promote healthy decision-making, resilience, and long-term stability.
Guided by this mission, our vision is a future in which youth are supported beyond the system and into independent, empowered lives—where they have the tools, relationships, and confidence to thrive, overcome risk factors, and pursue drug-free, purpose-driven futures rooted in hope and lasting well-being.
ABOUT OUR FOUNDER
LYNNETTE GONZALEZ
Lynnette Gonzalez, Founder of True-North Initiative, is a former foster youth whose life experience gives her deep insight into the realities of homelessness, addiction, incarceration, and domestic violence. Having aged out of the foster care system without a support network, she understands firsthand the barriers and vulnerabilities many young people face during this critical transition.
Through faith, mentorship, and perseverance, Lynnette rebuilt her life—transforming pain into purpose. Today, she leads True-North Initiative with compassion, conviction, and a clear vision for change, empowering foster and at-risk youth to build purpose-driven, drug-free lives with the guidance and support she once needed herself.
Meet Our Team
Founder & CEO
Clinical Director
Clinical Director
Lynnette Gonzalez, SUDRC, is the Founder and CEO of True-North Initiative, where she also serves as Program Director and youth mentor. Having grown up in the foster care system, Lynnette brings lived experience and professional insight to her work with system-involved and at-risk youth.
Her early experiences navigating adulthood without c
Lynnette Gonzalez, SUDRC, is the Founder and CEO of True-North Initiative, where she also serves as Program Director and youth mentor. Having grown up in the foster care system, Lynnette brings lived experience and professional insight to her work with system-involved and at-risk youth.
Her early experiences navigating adulthood without consistent guidance shaped a deep conviction that no young person should have to face life alone. That belief became the foundation of True-North Initiative and continues to guide its mission and programs.
Today, Lynnette leads with purpose and clarity, overseeing prevention-focused programming rooted in structure, accountability, and personal growth. She is actively involved in curriculum development, youth engagement, staff oversight, and community partnerships to ensure programs are both impactful and sustainable.
Clinical Director
Clinical Director
Clinical Director
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 comprehe
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.
Medical Director
Clinical Director
Medical Director
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 approac
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.
On-Site LVN
Workshop Presenter & Youth Mentor
Workshop Presenter & Youth Mentor
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 clin
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.
Workshop Presenter & Youth Mentor
Workshop Presenter & Youth Mentor
Workshop Presenter & Youth Mentor
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 conver
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.
Youth-Mentor & Male Cabin Lead
Workshop Presenter & Youth Mentor
Youth-Mentor & Male Cabin Lead
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
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.
Workshop Presenter & Youth Mentor
Workshop Presenter & Youth Mentor
Workshop Presenter & Youth Mentor
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, h
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.
Workshop Presenter & Youth Mentor
Workshop Presenter & Youth Mentor
Workshop Presenter & Youth Mentor
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 healthca
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.
Operations & Youth Mentor
Workshop Presenter & Youth Mentor
Operations & Youth Mentor
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
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.
How We Will Do It
Where It All Begins
Life Skills & Career Exploration
Life Skills & Career Exploration
True-North Initiative launches with a clear purpose: to prevent substance use and system involvement among foster youth and at-risk teens by building protective factors through connection, structure, and purpose.
Our first Annual Intensive takes place in August 2026 at Buckhorn Camp in the San Bernardino Mountains. Over five days, trained trauma-informed staff and mentors guide 14 youth through a prevention-based curriculum centered on safety, belonging, life skills, and purpose-driven goal setting.
This retreat marks only the beginning. Each participant continues in a year-long support cycle with consistent mentorship, prevention workshops, and structured check-ins to promote healthy, purpose-driven, drug-free living.
Life Skills & Career Exploration
Life Skills & Career Exploration
Life Skills & Career Exploration
The Annual Intensive integrates real-world prevention education with practical life skills and career discovery. Youth develop readiness through guided sessions in budgeting, interviewing, communication, and teamwork—all essential protective skills proven to reduce risk behaviors.
Career exposure comes through mentorship with entrepreneurs, medical professionals, and first responders who model discipline, resilience, and service. These experiences empower youth to envision a future grounded in confidence and healthy decision-making.
Purpose & Personal Development
Life Skills & Career Exploration
Relationship Building with Community Mentors
Prevention starts from within. Through self-reflection, communication, and emotional-regulation activities, youth learn to understand their identity, manage stress, and set meaningful goals.
Workshops address conflict resolution, healthy boundaries, coping strategies, and self-worth—core elements of prevention education that strengthen resilience and support long-term wellness.
Relationship Building with Community Mentors
Long-Term Vision: Transitional Housing & Empowered Independence
Relationship Building with Community Mentors
A strong support network can change the trajectory of a young person’s life.
Our mentorship network connects participants with caring adults—including professionals, educators, and first responders—who serve as living examples of recovery, responsibility, and hope.
These relationships provide the ongoing encouragement and accountability youth need to remain engaged in education, employment, and positive community activities throughout the year.
Continued Connections
Long-Term Vision: Transitional Housing & Empowered Independence
Long-Term Vision: Transitional Housing & Empowered Independence
Our commitment doesn’t end when the Intensive concludes—it grows from there.
Throughout the year, True-North Initiative provides structured follow-up through prevention-education workshops, case management, and mentor check-ins.
We assist with education, employment readiness, benefits navigation, and life-planning so that each participant has a clear path forward and a trusted network beside them.
Long-Term Vision: Transitional Housing & Empowered Independence
Long-Term Vision: Transitional Housing & Empowered Independence
Long-Term Vision: Transitional Housing & Empowered Independence
Looking ahead, True-North Initiative aims to establish a Community-Centered Apartment Program—a small, drug-free, trauma-informed living space for foster and system-involved youth stabilizing after the Intensive.
This environment will offer daily mentoring, practical skill-building, and structured prevention support. The goal is to create a controlled, substance-free bridge between dependence and independence, helping young adults secure education, employment, and permanent housing while maintaining stability and purpose.
True-North Initiative is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. EIN: 39-3782952. A donation receipt will be emailed to you after submitting a contribution or completing a registry purchase. Please retain this receipt for your tax records.