Memories Still Fresh on the 10th Anniversary of the Isla Vista Shooting

Mental Health Nonprofit is Founded as a Result of the Tragedy

A first-person account of a mom's response to the Isla Vista Shooting:

I remember the day like it was yesterday. It was 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 23, 2014. I rolled out of bed and headed to drop my daughter off at the softball fields to warm up for her tournament. I glanced at my phone and noticed multiple text messages and missed calls from family and friends on the East Coast which set me back.

The messages were related to my oldest son Brian, a freshman at UC Santa Barbara. Was he ok after shooting in Isla Vista? Thankfully, I had received a text message from him the night before saying he was going on a weekend camping trip with his fraternity (which might have saved his life)!

The irony of the timing of the shooting and my first and only manic episode is uncanny. These two life-changing events resulted in an incredible spiritual awakening. And when I learned that my son’s friend Veronika Weiss was a victim of the shooting, I felt certain that the universe was telling me to do something about children’s mental health. I also realized that the shooter could have been my middle son had he not been on medication, in therapy, and most importantly, had access to holistic healers. I have first-hand knowledge of what happens when a “darkness” takes over an individual. Our family was blessed to have connections and resources to help our son and wanted to pay it forward in some way.

In 2015, I founded the Extraordinary Lives Foundation (ELF), whose mission is to improve children’s mental health and emotional wellness. Every day, I am guided by our mission of serving children and families by providing social-emotional tools early in life.

Our HUGS for Life Healing Center provides holistic healing modalities to complement Western Medicine and effectively treat mental health challenges. In this complex world, our philosophy is that everyone deserves access to treatment and holistic healing modalities. These tools are not just for survival but help individuals thrive throughout their lives.

I created the Piggie Bear character and ELF mascot who brings love and light into children’s lives and helps to increase their emotional wellness. We donate Piggie Bear toolkits, which includes the Piggie Bear plush, power cards, The Power of Piggie Bear book, and Piggie Bear coloring book to at-risk children at children's hospitals, homeless shelters, foster children, and many others.

For more information, visit elfempowers.org and hugsforlife.org

Mara James is the Founder/CEO of the Orange County-based nonprofit Extraordinary Lives Foundation. She is a mental health thought leader and advocate to inspire, empower, and teach the world that healing is possible.

Author and Nonprofit Founder Mara James with the Piggie Bear Character she Created for Children's Mental Health ProgramsPhoto byExtraordinary Lives Foundation

Shooting Victim Veronika Weiss with Nonprofit Founder's Son Brian JamesPhoto byExtraordinary Lives Foundation