Our promotional spotlight employee for February 2025 is Diego Echaveste-Avila, Therapist – LGBTQIA+.
Diego Echaveste-Avila’s journey to Penny Lane Centers (PLC) is one of resilience, transformation, and passion for helping others. Before entering the field of social work, Diego spent years as a server and bartender, believing that hospitality would be his lifelong career. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered the restaurants, he worked at, he found himself at a crossroads. Rather than seeing this as a setback, Diego embraced the opportunity to pivot into social work—an unexpected but fitting transition, as his years of listening to people’s personal stories had already given him a strong foundation for the field. Drawn to PLC by its outstanding reputation and the unique opportunity of a paid internship through the MIP program, Diego quickly found a place where he could grow both personally and professionally.
Since joining PLC, Diego has navigated a steady and rewarding path, advancing from an intern to his current role as an LGBTQIA+ Therapist for the TSY program. He credits the agency’s supportive environment, mentorship programs, and commitment to employee growth as key factors in his journey. Diego’s story is a testament to the power of adaptability, perseverance, and the impact of a strong community. His deep appreciation for PLC stems not only from the opportunities it has provided him but also from the sense of belonging and connection that the agency fosters.
Prior to working in the field of social work. I was a career server and bartender. I thought That was going to be the work that I did for the rest of my life. And then COVID happened and the places that I worked at all closed, so I decided to pivot Into A social worker. Funny enough, I think. That career path gave me a strong foundation for what I'm doing today because I was listening to a lot of people share very personal stories. So, it was my unofficial training in the field.
There were two reasons that brought me to Penny Lane Centers: The first reason was that almost everyone that I spoke about the agency and working at the agency all gave Penny Lane rave reviews. It speaks a lot about the agency when the employees have great things to say.
The second reason is because of the MIP Internship program. And honestly, one of the main factors in me choosing Penny Lane Centers is because they pay their interns, which I think should be standard for all agencies. For those of you who have been through an MSW program, you know the struggle of having to essentially work for free while trying to keep yourself afloat and juggling school on top of that. A lot of my stress was relieved. Knowing that I was getting compensated for the time I put in.
My Favorite aspect about working at Penny Lane Centers Is the connection that is fostered from the top down. I can't think of another agency where the director makes sure to show up to the orientations and meet the new employees right as they are entering the agency. I also really love the heart-centered approach that has been adapted into the framework of the agency. More specifically, the mentorship program has been a HUGE help to me in the early months of my PLC career. Shout out to my previous mentor Priscilla and my current mentor Julia who have both been extremely helpful. Not many organizations have a mentorship program, and I have appreciated the space to be able to foster connections within the agency. I think it's been an important factor in what's kept me here.
The path to promotion was a steady climb. I began my PLC journey as an MIP intern at the TAY center in the AV during my second year of my MSW program. What stuck with me was the assurance during the interview process that PLC wanted to hire ALL their interns. I felt immediately supported from the get-go. During my time as an intern, I was able to see all the opportunities that this agency had to offer. I also had amazing guidance from my fellow coworkers at the TAY Center, supervisors, and mentors during this time. It was during this time that I was able to figure out what I wanted my PLC path to look like and started working towards that.
I graduated in May of 2024 with my MSW and shortly thereafter I was brought on as a LGBTQIA+ Peer navigator for the TSY Program while I awaited my BBS number. I was grateful for this because it allowed me to stay employed while I waited for that number. That was over in a flash as I switched to a Therapist in Training while I awaited the number. During this time, I was able to home in on all I learned in my graduate program and after a short time my BBS number arrived, and I moved into my current position as the LGBTQIA+ Therapist for the TSY program (so many acronyms)! I’m always grateful for a good journey and the PLC one delivered.
Well, I already mentioned the MIP program. That was a huge help in getting me to where I am today. Shoutout to Theresa for really planting the seed in all the interns because she was very adamant that Penny Lane wanted to hire all their interns upon completion of their internship and not a lot of agencies guarantee work afterwards. I also want to give a shout out to everyone at the Tay Center in the AV, who were instrumental in granting me the space to make mistakes and learn. Someone once told me that a lot of “life” tends to happen during a master's program, and it definitely did for me in those two years; Especially in the final year when I was interning at Penny Lane Centers. The agency was super flexible and supportive and so I'm grateful to them.
Having a paid internship really eased my anxiety when it came to the financial burden that a master’s program often brings. I have not yet seen another agency that is able to match all of the benefits that PLC offers, and it's really cool to see other folks take advantage of this.
I think for myself the most difficult part of my new role has just been the imposter syndrome that sometimes comes up. I still feel new to the field, so sometimes the inner voice in me creeps up and says I don't know what I'm doing. However, I'm grateful for the supervision opportunities that allow me to process a lot of these emotions and thoughts. I know that many people often feel this way when entering a new role and with time I’ll start to gain more confidence in the knowledge that I have and my life experience. As we often say in social work, you are the expert of your own life, and so I tried to remember that whenever I'm feeling like I don't know what I'm doing or like I don't belong in this space.
I’m an open book so I don’t come with a lot of surprises, but those of you who know me know that I LOVE live music and going to shows and this year will be my 16th Coachella!
In February of 2024 my father unfortunately lost his battle with colon cancer. For those of you who have had people close in your life battle any type of terminal disease, you know how painful it is to see someone slowly reach the end of life. What made this time even more difficult was that I had to process this while also being in the middle of my graduate program and juggling all the things that I had to do. For me, the time around his passing really felt like a fever dream. When I reflect back on this time, it felt like all time had stopped for me and my family but had kept going for everyone else.
Prior to his passing, I had not known grief on such a personal level. But now that I am going through it myself, I know that almost all of what I have heard is true, while also not being true. The reality of having to go through a loss like this is that life goes on, and so it's been a little difficult having to keep things going while also having that knot in your stomach. Amidst the rollercoaster of grief, I have also been able to learn a lot about what it's like to process such a loss, and I'm able to utilize a lot of my lived experience with my clients. I think the one piece of advice I can give folks is that grief will hit you when it wants to, not when it's convenient for you. The most important thing that I found for me is to just ride the wave of sadness and cherish the happy memories that I have. Also, utilize the social networks that you have, and allow people to help you. Again, I want to shout out all the PLC family for being super supportive and helpful during that time. This was also a large reason why I decided to continue working at PLC after my internship ended.
My first job was a retail job at the Topanga mall and my boss once told me to never burn any bridges in any workplace because you never know when you may need that network again. This has been so true as I often find myself relying on my previous networks for many things. I always make it a point to foster connections in any place I work for this reason.
I have seen time and time again how much the PLC family comes together not only for our clients, but for each other during difficult times. It makes me extremely grateful to be a part of this agency.
I am grateful for laughter, funny memes, all my homies, and Beyonce.
Congratulations Diego!
