Meet Dr. Monique Roach | DSW, MSW, LCSW – Chief Executive Officer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Monique Roach and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Monique, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind starting Ready 4 Change is both insightful and deeply rooted in addressing the systemic inequities that persist in the U.S. healthcare system, particularly within mental health services. Racism, as a structural determinant, undeniably plays a significant role in perpetuating the mental health disparities experienced by populations of color, including African Americans, Latinos, and American Indians. These communities face numerous obstacles, from stigma and implicit bias to limited access to health-promoting resources, all of which exacerbate inequalities and reinforce racial discrimination.

My decision to create Ready 4 Change is a direct response to these challenges. By offering customized mental health services specifically tailored to the unique needs of populations of color, we aim to close the gap in access to quality care and empower individuals within these communities to achieve optimal mental health outcomes. Our commitment to serving those who are often overlooked by traditional healthcare systems is commendable, and our goal of providing the necessary services and support to help them develop the tools and skills to maintain their mental health is a powerful and much-needed initiative.

This effort not only addresses the immediate mental health needs of these populations but also contributes to the broader movement toward health equity, ensuring that everyone, regardless of race or background, has the opportunity to lead a healthy, fulfilling life.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Ready 4 Change (R4C) is a licensed clinical social worker corporation that focuses on mental health disparities for populations of color. R4C is located at 25920 Iris Avenue Suite 13A Unit 209 Moreno Valley, California 92551.

Our competitive edge and new counseling techniques put R4C at the forefront of counseling and educational services. At this time, we are living in an age where new approaches to mental and health counseling are in great demand. Our clinical social work corporation will differ from the traditional counseling services because of our added personal touch. At R4C, we tailor services to meet clients’ unique needs instead of utilizing a one-size-fits-all approach that contributes to inconsistent client engagement.

I am most proud of my willingness to overcome fear and take the bold steps necessary to address a major public health issue. Creating a resource to meet the mental health needs of communities of color has been both challenging and rewarding, and I’m proud to have set a goal and worked diligently to bring it to life.

Fully engaging with the community and focusing on the development of new social workers, while simultaneously addressing mental health disparities, has been a powerful experience. It’s my hope that this work not only makes a difference now but also inspires others to take similar steps in their own communities. I truly believe that the impact of this work will resonate with future clinicians and the communities we serve, leaving a lasting legacy of positive change.

The journey to starting my business was anything but easy. It was fueled by hard work, a commitment to furthering my education, and a willingness to embrace every opportunity that came my way. Each experience—whether it was an internship, volunteering, or employment—served as a vital stepping stone, allowing me to learn different aspects of social work and the business side of things. These opportunities not only helped me build my business acumen but also gave me a deeper understanding of who the key players were and what challenges our communities face.

The challenges were very real, especially in the early stages when everything felt overwhelming. Starting a business can be incredibly daunting, and I had to navigate through the fear of failure. It took tremendous effort to silence the negative thoughts and push through those doubts. But by staying focused, leveraging every opportunity to enhance my skills and knowledge, and relying on my strong faith in God and the supportive village around me, I was able to overcome these obstacles.

Ultimately, it was a combination of support, hard work, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace each opportunity that brought me to where I am today. I also had to be open to embracing mistakes and failures along the way, all while being compassionate and forgiving toward myself. I never gave up and kept trying, which has landed me where I am today.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them to Temecula and take them on a winery tour. Later we would head out for a relaxing drive to San Diego to Coronado Island for food and fun.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to both Lynn Borders and Monique Palmer of the Kindred Center in Los Angeles California for the invaluable support you’ve provided me throughout my entrepreneurial journey. Your willingness to share your business knowledge, expertise, and encouragement has been instrumental in shaping the path for Ready for Change.

Your belief in my vision and constant reminders that my business will make a meaningful difference in the lives of our communities of color have been both inspiring and empowering. It’s one thing to have a dream, but it’s another to have the guidance and reassurance from seasoned professionals like yourselves that this dream is not only possible but necessary.

Thank you for your generosity, your wisdom, and for being such steadfast supporters. I am truly grateful for the impact you’ve had on me and my business. I look forward to continuing this journey, knowing I have both of you in my corner.

Website: https://WWW.Ready4Chnge.com

Instagram: Ready4Chnge