When Delfina Castelan and her two children fled their home in 2019 to escape domestic violence, they became homeless. "We stayed in a shelter, and that experience became the turning point in my life," Castelan recalled. "I decided to continue my education and enrolled at Santa Ana College's School of Continuing Education, where I earned my GED within seven months."
Each morning, as she dropped her children off at daycare before heading to class, she fought back tears, hers and theirs. But she made herself a promise: their pain would not be in vain.
"At first, I was scared and doubted myself, but today I can say confidently that my experience was life-changing," she said. "The counselors there believed in me even before I believed in myself. Thanks to their encouragement and my determination, I was able to transition successfully into college and continue pursuing my dreams."
She commended Maria Hanson from the EOPS department at the time as a mentor supporting her every step of the way and helping her create her academic plan.
Over the years, Castelan has returned to Santa Ana College's Centennial Education Center as a guest speaker for the HiSET/GED program, inspiring prospective students with her story of perseverance. The High School Equivalency Certificate is a state-recognized equivalent to a high school diploma that students can earn after passing the GED or HiSET exams.
"My goal in sharing my story is to encourage others to believe in their own strength and to show that with perseverance and support, it is possible to overcome adversity and achieve their personal and academic goals," she said.
Serving Others to Heal and Grow
After earning her GED, Castelan continued her education at Santa Ana College, later transferring to California State University Fullerton, where she earned her bachelor's degree in human services. Now pursuing a master's degree in marriage and family therapy at Hope International University, Castelan emphasized that she is dedicated to building a better future for her children and helping others heal and grow through her work as a mental health professional.
Although her academic journey has meant long hours away from her children, she calls them her "greatest source of inspiration" and motivation to create a stable, meaningful life for her family. Once she completes her MFT program, Castelan plans to become a licensed mental health therapist with her own private practice.
"My goal is to create a safe and empathetic space where clients feel heard, validated and empowered to work toward personal growth and emotional well-being," she said.
She currently works at the Think Together nonprofit in the Santa Ana School District where she provides students with nationally recognized expanding learning opportunities that prepare them for college and their career ambitions.
As a previous practitioner at Advanced Behavioral Therapy, she cared for children, even having many refer to her as their best friend.
Castelan credits Santa Ana College's School of Continuing Education for laying the foundation of her success and giving her the support she needed to rebuild her life. "There is so much to learn in the world, and through education, we also learn about ourselves," said Castelan. "When we push past discomfort, we uncover our true strength and potential to succeed."