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About Unshame California

Unshame California is a statewide campaign to reduce substance use disorder (SUD) stigma by telling the stories of people impacted by SUD. By sharing their stories, we learn that SUD can affect anyone: our family, our neighbors, our coworkers, our friends, and ourselves. Unshame California invites you to treat people without judgment, because no one should face challenges alone.

Shatterproof Team

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Program Coordinator

David Castillo | he, him, his

David is a creative, empathetic, and ambitious leader who believes in the importance of change through storytelling, advocacy, and human connection. Before joining Shatterproof, David was the Program Coordinator for VeniceArts where he helped young adults, especially those in marginalized communities, find entry level jobs and internships in the film and entertainment industries. He has also been a part of various research studies including the Mexican Migrant Field Research Program, where he focused on exploring different traumas and challenges that migrants faced at the border. David lives in Los Angeles where he loves to spend time with friends and family, create and consume art, and try new foods. He is also a soccer coach!
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Senior Digital Content Coordinator

Dayanna Céspedes | she, her, hers

Dayanna is originally from Lima, Peru. She has a variety of experiences in different areas of her field, including digital marketing, press and digital communication, media editing, product and brand design, visual design, and web development. Dayanna is also very passionate about serving both the Latinx and LGBTQ+ communities and uses digital arts to help connect these communities to the services and resources that they need. In her free time, Dayanna enjoys spending time with her family and friends and her pups, Aspen and Peach. She is a Peruvian-food enthusiast and has been forced to become a Duke sports fan thanks to her wife.
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Senior Program Manager

Leslie Alfaro | she, her, hers

Leslie is a lifelong advocate for a more equitable society where everyone has access to opportunities to succeed. Prior to joining Shatterproof, Leslie worked with the Bay Area Council where she focused on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and workforce policy advocacy. Leslie also worked with families in East Oakland for Children’s Home Society of California and served as a VISTA Volunteer for the City of San Antonio’s Head Start program. Leslie lives in Corona, California. In her free time, she enjoys watching live music and playing pickleball.
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Senior Digital Manager

Isabella Boer | she, her, hers

Bella is a huge consumer of culture and is obsessed with the power of content creation. Prior to joining Shatterproof, she was Head of Operations at the worldwide Marketing Agency Samy Alliance. She is experienced at translating data into trends and creating compelling brand narratives. Bella is originally from Brazil and is fluent in Portuguese. A mindful leader, she believes kindness is the power which can transcend and transform anything it touches. An avid reader, she will definitely find a quick break during her busy week to read something that interests her. She lives in Flowery Branch, Georgia, with her husband Geo and their dog, Mojo.
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Influencer Marketing Coordinator

Sam Simmons | she, her, hers

Sam is passionate about increasing diversity and representation within social media and uses her role within marketing to help amplify the content of underrepresented demographics. In her current role, Sam assists in the development of influencer marketing strategies to increase awareness and engagement for community-based stigma reduction campaigns. Prior to joining Shatterproof, Sam worked on a variety of influencer marketing teams for different companies like CASETiFY, PrettyLittleThing, and AvantStay. Sam lives in Los Angeles and loves cooking, visiting her local farmers markets, and all things health and wellness.
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Senior Director of Community Engagement

Saskia VandeKamp | she, her, hers

Saskia is committed to fostering a more vibrant community through meaningful, transparent work. The best part of her work with Unshame CA is having the opportunity to hear people's stories and share their messages of hope and resiliency with other Californians. Prior to joining Shatterproof, Saskia worked at the San Andreas Regional Center, part of the State of California's network system that supports people with developmental disabilities. In her role at San Andreas, she oversaw strategy, partner relationships, contracts, audits, and emergency response departments. Saskia loves to travel, especially when traveling for food. She lives in Salinas, California with her partner and three pups.
Our Mission
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California Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS) has partnered with Shatterproof to launch a substance use disorder stigma reduction campaign.

The Unshame California campaign engages community partners to contribute to campaign strategy, refer individuals who have lived experiences to share their stories, and promote social media content. DHCS launched the Unshame California campaign in Spring 2023.

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Shatterproof is a national nonprofit that believes that our society should treat addiction with science and compassion, the way we treat other medical conditions. Shatterproof provides trusted guidance to communities, removes systemic and social barriers to recovery, and mobilizes the country to advocate for change and to end addiction stigma.

  • What is the goal of the Unshame California campaign?
    The Unshame California campaign is working to reduce stigma around substance use disorder in California. When people with substance use disorders feel welcomed and accepted, they are more likely to maintain connections and seek support and treatment.
  • What does it mean to join the coalition? What are the commitments? What are the benefits?
    Coalition members are vital to Unshame California's success. They serve as experts, providing insight into their community's needs, and help build relationships with local communities. Committed to deepening their understanding of substance use and stigma, they promote the campaign through education, advocacy, and by amplifying its message on social media. Coalition members also connect the Unshame California team with potential members, share stories, and participate in webinars. Their involvement helps shape how the campaign engages with the community, fostering a judgment-free environment where people feel safe to seek help, use life-saving medications, and connect with trusted individuals.
  • How do I become a Coalition member?
    It’s as easy as completing an intake form: Join the Community.
  • How can individuals get involved?
    Join our online community and get the word out! Share posts and stories from the @unshameca Facebook and Instagram or the @somosunshameca Facebook and Instagram which are our Spanish language channels.
  • Where can I get access to treatment?
    If you're looking for addiction treatment, Atlas by Shatterproof is an online platform that may be able to help you find treatment options in your area. Atlas offers a reliable and user-friendly solution for finding addiction treatment, providing confidential guidance on the most suitable treatment options based on your needs and preferences. Take Assessment.

“The Unshame CA campaign is informed by community members. Through their stories, the campaign strives to inspire hope and compassion, remove barriers to care, and decrease the number of preventable deaths due to substance use."

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- Courtney McKeon , Senior Vice President

Shatterproof National Stigma Initiative

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