Manny Rodriguez is the executive director of La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center, a treatment center providing inpatient drug rehab in Los Angeles, CA that offers an integrated approach to overcoming drug and alcohol addiction through clinical therapy, 12-step involvement, nutrition, fitness and community support.
Manny has been immersed in the Los Angeles recovery community for most of his adult life. What initially began as a personal road to wellness became a calling to help others battling addiction to reclaim their own lives.
In 2005, Manny recognized there was an unmet need for affordable sober living and treatment in Hollywood. That same year, he co-founded La Fuente, A Sober Living Community. Manny tirelessly invested his time, energy and personal resources working on the front lines to help those who were new to recovery, as well as those continuing to struggle with addiction, to reclaim their lives and recognize that living sober is not only possible, but desirable. Over the years, Manny has worked hand-in-hand with clinicians, families and friends as well as the treatment programs from which many of La Fuente’s sober living residents have been referred. His hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge of working with individuals struggling with addiction has enabled him to author and implement continued care plans that have helped many residents of La Fuente stay on the path to long-term recovery.
Prior to working in treatment and wellness, Manny gained a wealth of management and operations experience. He developed several small businesses and served as a marketing executive for various companies, including a subsidiary of two major motion picture companies. He also served as a board member at the Hollywood Studio District Neighborhood Council and Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing.
Manny earned a BFA from the Juilliard School in New York City and toured the world extensively with Paul Taylor Dance Company, Ballet Hispanico of New York, Ballet Atlantique – Régine Chopinot and Nicholas Rodriguez’s DanceCompass. He lived and worked in Paris and Barcelona for several years, speaks French and is fluent in Spanish.
“Helping individuals recover from the disease of addiction while rewarding can be a daunting task, even after many years. I was lucky very early in life with a calling that provided passion and also demanded dedication, endurance and sacrifice. I’ve done several things in between, some successful and some not. However, none came close to the passion I had in my youth. La Fuente and what we are called to do each day is the only thing that has reignited what I felt in my formative years. My goal everyday is to stay connected to why I do this. There are time when I get doubtful, even exhausted; I may question “why am I doing this”. I do it because I want to help improve the life of every client we serve, create healing opportunities for their families, their loved ones and maybe even help elevate our community and it’s stakeholders. None of what I do is possible without “the team”, their efforts and experience are unmatched. The daily mantra: let’s aim at being better today than we were yesterday.” – Manny Rodriguez
Anil Patel is the Associate Executive Director and at La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center, a treatment center providing inpatient drug rehab in Los Angeles, CA that offers an integrated approach to overcoming drug and alcohol addiction through clinical therapy, 12-step involvement, nutrition, fitness, and community support.
He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Mr. Patel joined the management team at La Fuente in 2007 and is also an alumnus. His leadership and management skills are ideally applied to integrate the program systems requirements and personal needs of the clients. Mr. Patel also dedicates considerable personal time in the community sharing his personal story of recovery from addiction. Today, Mr. Patel is living a life that is filled with the healing that recovery has granted him.
“La Fuente provided me the tools necessary to start building a life beyond my wildest dreams. I am honored to be of part of the La Fuente team and to participate in assisting to create that opportunity for others.” – Anil Patel
Lauren is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who obtained her Master’s in Social Work at Barry University in South Florida. Originally from the Philadelphia area, she also received her Bachelor’s in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. While in Florida, she worked at Compass LGBTQ Community Center in Lake Worth as a Wellness Case Manager and completed her graduate school internship at South County Mental Health Crisis Stabilization Unit in Delray Beach. In Los Angeles, she acquired her clinical hours at Skid Row Housing Trust as a Resident Services Coordinator and later worked as a clinician for JWCH Institute Center for Community Health downtown and the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. Lauren received licensure in both California and Florida and maintains a part-time private practice in LA. She greatly enjoys incorporating the creative arts into therapy as an effective way to help clients grow and express themselves.
Rory is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Associate Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Rory earned his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. In addition to working at La Fuente, Rory is also a therapist at the Southern California Counselling Center, a low-cost community health site that provides mental health services to a large array of low-income individuals and families. Originally from the UK, Rory has been living in Los Angeles since 2015. Social justice and social advocacy for marginalized and discriminated groups is a passion of Rory’s and is the main focus of his clinical work.
Vivian Rubio is a Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor with the Addiction Counselor Certification Board of California CAADE. Vivian’s own Journey into recovery led her to study addiction at Pierce College in Woodland Hills California Addiction studies program in 2015. She graduated in May 2019 with honors.
Vivian is a passionate advocate for the LGBTQIA+ Community. She started out at La Fuente as a Recovery Technician. With the support of her La Fuente Family and completion of her education, Vivian worked her way up to Case Management/Counselor. She shows her passion for helping clients take care of their outside needs while in treatment so they can focus on their recovery. Vivian also leads several groups in the La Fuentes Program.
Vivian’s goal is to continue her education and further her career by becoming an L.M.F.T. and carry on helping the LGBTQIA+ Community at La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center.
Edwin Sanchez joined La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center in early 2017 and worked as a Recovery Technician. Edwin quickly demonstrated his commitment and compassion in working with LGBTQ clients seeking recovery. Aside from being part of the colorful community Edwin also has his own story of recovery and feels passionate about his work and ensuring that every person is treated with respect and dignity. Edwin is currently working to get his AA Degree in Human Services and plans to continue his education all while helping those in his community who seek recovery.
Owen McClintic moved to LA to pursue a deeper relationship with the LGBTQ+ community and recovery. Soon after his move, Owen joined the La Fuente team. He initially worked as a Recovery Tech and was soon promoted to his current role. Owen plays an intricate role in coordinating all admissions and treatment care for each client. Owen also takes great pride in his case management duties.
Owen has a passion for helping others find their true selves through recovery.