01/04/2026
Grateful not Regretful By Rachel M. Cometa Estuar (NAMI Whittier Operations Manager)
"This season is often a time for reflection. It’s a good practice to institute into one’s personal life, and important to instill as a family tradition.
But I wonder whether we also remember to reflect on what we are grateful for at our places of work, when we’re among people we serve, or when we meet a stranger/foreigner or simply “someone different” than “our people”?
It’s been about 150 days since I started as Operations Manager for NAMI Whittier. As I reflect on the diverse group of people I have met who each have unique stories and challenges to share, I realized that I couldn’t have ever imagined the impact their kindness and openness would have on me.
I have had my own personal struggles this last few months, but I have spoken with several people whose stories have left me in tears. Not because of how it broke them but how it built up their hope and resilience.
There were mothers who hardly got any sleep as their minds couldn’t rest because of fear, worry, restlessness, etc. There was a husband constantly concerned about his wife whose energy is spent day in and day out advocating for support to get medical help for their family member. They each yearn for respite. And they often found it when they came to a NAMI support group or talked with a trusted friend.
I feel blessed that I am in a mindspace that allows me to be grateful not regretful. I am surrounded by the light that I see in the eyes and hearts of people who have served the communities and supported the people in and around Whittier. I also feel the connection we have to keep moving forward and upwards to build a better future for our underserved communities.
NAMI Whittier serves 10 distinct cities in southeast Los Angeles County: Montebello, Los Nietos, Pico Rivera, greater Whittier area, parts of East LA, Santa Fe Springs, Commerce, parts of La Mirada & La Habra, and now Norwalk.
As we continue to build upon what dedicated volunteers and NAMI GLAC staff started many years ago, I hope that you will see my commitment to support, amplify, and co-lead with community partners. Our team will work hard to remain accountable and flexible. We need to work and walk hand-in-hand in these next few months so that we can stretch out NAMI programs into the other targeted cities.
I know you also want to be part of this time of growth and creativity. I am looking forward to our productive collaborations in the not-so-distant future. Please reach out to me at restuar@namiglac.org."
