About Us

Founders

Jose and Julie Moreno

Jose and Julie are the cofounders of Casa De Vida. In March 2005, Jose and his wife Julie founded Casa De Vida to help individuals and their families overcome the problems of chemical dependence.

Jose was a heroin addict for about 35 years. He was introduced to drugs and gangs at age 14 and was incarcerated for the first time at 15, in 1997.  Jose turned his life over to Christ and the transformation has led him to receive a certificate in Addictive Disorders Studies at Oxnard College. Throughout the years, he successfully helped many individuals overcome their struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction. Jose passed away in 2018 due to illness.

Julie is a retired elementary school teacher with a master’s degree in Education and taught for 34 years. She is a Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor and serves as the CEO of Casa De Vida.

Meet Our Board of Directors

Two of George’s biggest blessings are his daughters, Esmi (age 17) and Anavaeh (age 12). George is a single father, doing an excellent job raising his two daughters to be respectable Godly young women.

Besides fulfilling his responsibilities as a single Dad, he is happy to say he serves as a Casa de Vida (CDV) Board Chair. George also graciously serves at Ventura Missionary Church (VMC) where he and his daughters have attended since 2011. He started serving as an usher, and with his passion to minister to youth he became a youth group leader, along with these accomplishments he is also a VMC member and a Deacon at VMC. 

There have been some life-changing moments for him, and he owes it all to God first and foremost, and secondly to CDV. He had made some bad choices during his younger years, which led him on the wrong path in life. After hitting rock bottom, he found CDV and there he found God. His life changed drastically, he surrendered his life to Jesus, and from there on he was a changed man. He was now on the right path in life, walking with God, and he continues to trust, love, and have faith, 11 years later! 

George recently took a leap of faith and decided to go back to school full-time. He is now enrolled at Ventura Community College majoring in Psychology. He hopes to transfer to a university in 2023 to continue his education and receive his BS in Psychology in hopes of using his degree to give back to help those in need. He hopes to gear his work towards those struggling with substance dependency, family issues, and behavior problems.

Michelle Ming’s parents divorced when she was 12 years old. She went to live with her father and was often responsible for the care of her siblings. At 15, she began drinking. Soon she was married to a heroin addict, and it wasn’t long before she tried the drug herself and fell into addiction. What followed was years spent in and out of jail. As a result, she was forced to allow her mom and stepdad to raise her son.

In 2010, Michelle was facing an eight-year prison term, but she was mercifully given the option to enter a program instead. It was then that she ran into Jose Moreno of Casa De Vida Recovery Program. She asked him if he would accept her into this faith-based ministry so that she could avoid prison. Michelle entered Casa De Vida (which means “House of Life”); they brought her to Ventura Missionary Church, and things have never been the same since. Her dad had tried to get her to go to church over the years, and once in a while she would go, but this time Michelle says, “I was ready!”

Today Michelle’s life has come full circle. She lives with her dad, her son, and her 8- and 12-year-old grandkids. She didn’t get to raise her son, but through God’s goodness, she is now helping to raise her grandchildren. She also has a successful business as a “handywoman.” Michelle says, “Before when I would get angry, I would turn to drugs. Now, when I get angry, I talk to God.” When we are ready, God has an amazing way of restoring us. Sometimes He even gives us back some of the things that we lost. Michelle overflows with the love of Jesus because of what He has done for her…and she is eager to share that love. She says, “When I think of how things are now, it takes my breath away!” Michelle now serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Casa De Vida.

Cindy moved to Ventura County in 1990 with the single-minded purpose of overcoming her addiction to alcohol. She has maintained her sobriety since that time and credits the staff of Miracle Recovery Centers for her own recovery. She served as a staff member of MRC in 1991-1992 and joined their Board of Directors in 1993, where she served for 12 years.

Cindy has been involved with Casa De Vida since its inception, both as a Board Member and donor. She currently serves as Board Secretary. Additionally, Cindy fills the role of administrative assistant at Finding Something More, a non-profit, Christian-based organization for women in Orange County.

Professionally, Cindy’s career has taken her from Wall Street to the legal, insurance, and pharmaceutical industries. Retiring from Amgen in 2017, where she worked as Senior Executive Assistant in Translational Sciences, she now pursues her love of travel, gardening, and reading.

She will tell you that her life is blessed, that she was saved by the grace of God and the love of Jesus, and that her faith and sobriety are the basis of everything that is good in her life: a loving, close-knit family with two amazing sons and two beautiful granddaughters, two talented and fun-loving sisters, many wonderful nieces, nephews and cousins, a cherished aunt, as well as treasured friends.

JoAnn Perez – Treasurer

JoAnn Perez is an educator with Fillmore Unified School District and also serves as a respite provider with CISS (Channel Islands Social Services), supporting families and individuals in her community. Before entering the field of education, JoAnn spent 17 years working in Human Resources at Vitesse Semiconductor, where she developed strong skills in people support, organization, and advocacy.

As she approaches retirement, JoAnn continues to dedicate her time to service and community involvement. She also dedicates time caring for her sister who has Down Syndrome, an experience that has deepened her compassion and commitment to supporting others.  She is the proud mother of two sons and a loving grandmother to four grandchildren who bring great joy to her life.

Outside of work, JoAnn enjoys creative and relaxing hobbies including sewing, reading, gardening, and crocheting.

JoAnn has also been personally affected by the disease of alcoholism and drug addiction through loved ones in her life.  After many years of trying to help and “fix” those struggling with addiction, she found support and healing through Al-Anon family groups.  Through this experience, she gained valuable tools, understanding, and a supportive community that helped her learn the importance of setting healthy boundaries and focusing on her own well-being.

Because of these life experiences, JoAnn brings a compassionate and unique perspective to her role as a board member with Casa de Vida.  She hopes to contribute insight from the family side of addiction and to support others who are navigating similar challenges.  JoAnn is committed to helping strengthen resources, support systems, and hope for individuals and families affected by alcohol and drug addiction.

Founding Board Members

Darelene McGregor