Jonathan Otero

Interim Director of Recuperative Care

Jonathan Otero, born and raised in El Monte, CA, is a dedicated Christian known for his kind-hearted and humorous nature. His personal journey from overcoming addiction to becoming a Substance Use Counselor has profoundly shaped his professional path and commitment to helping others.

Jonathan holds an associate degree in Substance Use Disorder Counseling and Business Administration. With over 16 years of experience in alcohol and other drugs (AOD) prevention and treatment, he has successfully implemented comprehensive initiatives to address AOD issues in various communities while providing essential clinical services. His extensive work with the homeless population underscores his dedication to improving community quality of life through a continuum of prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery services for vulnerable populations.

Throughout his career, Jonathan has developed and implemented partnerships between community-based organizations and government agencies, providing permanent supportive housing and services to homeless, chronically homeless, and disabled individuals. His integrated services approach, utilizing low threshold/harm reduction strategies, has proven effective in long-term housing retention for individuals with mental illness, substance use, co-occurring disorders, HIV/AIDS, and chronic illnesses.

Currently, Jonathan serves as the Interim Director of Recuperative Care for WPCC. He brings extensive knowledge from his five years of experience in recuperative care settings across Los Angeles County, Orange County, and the Inland Empire. His firsthand experience with the cyclical nature of substance abuse, treatment, and relapse has driven him to identify resources and strategies to address the root causes of substance-related problems and violence.

Jonathan's current interests include developing and advancing pro-health social, cultural, and economic policies, as well as fostering community conditions that reduce the risks associated with alcohol and other drug problems. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Counseling and Community Psychology.

In addition to his professional achievements, Jonathan is a skilled handyman, having learned plumbing during his time incarcerated. His passion for problem-solving extends beyond his professional work, making him an asset both at home and in the community.