“My philosophy is to always begin with the end in mind because that’s what is going to push to achieve your goals.”
This is a life motto that Basic Needs Program Coordinator Megela Ohare lives by. She shares her wisdom and knowledge with any student in need of a helping hand. It is in her nature to give back, from community work to simply being a good, willing listener.
Raised in the Bay Area, Ohare worked as a youth worker at Los Medanos College in her younger years, “I started as a receptionist in the Financial Aid office in what was also the EOPS office at the time.”
Ohare was a part of a youth employment program, which she recalled as being, “Many, many, many years ago.” She also took classes at LMC while in high school, and with support from those around her, she decided to apply to college.
“The employees [at LMC] that I worked with were very supportive and encouraged me to push through the challenges I faced, including moving away from home at a young age to pursue my dreams,” she said.
After applying to colleges, she enrolled at San Jose State University. Although she knew she wanted to help others, she initially majored in advertising. “I knew I was creative and I knew I had a good business sense so I just thought about advertising,” Ohare said. She recalls always being the type of person to help others.
While in college she worked with the food pantry and provided tutoring for parents whose first language was not English, “I took care of the children while they [Parents] would go to school. I think I still know the words “De Colores,” Ohare said.
Even after doing so much in her community at such an early age, it took time for her to realize it was her passion. “It took me a while to realize that my passion to help others to better themselves could also be my career,” she said.
Three years into her college journey, she changed her major to communications and social work. “I realized, although I was creative, that was not the type of work I wanted to do. I really wanted to help people” she said.
Ohare went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work and communications and later a master’s degree in education and counseling.
During her time in college, she volunteered extensively and worked with several community organizations, “I worked at YMCA, I worked with Campfire Boys and Girls, I worked with the neighborhood food pantry.” She also worked in schools throughout San Jose adding, “I wasn’t quite sure what population I wanted to work with, so I worked as a middle school, high school, college and group home counselor. But then my last job of 17 years was at the San Jose Job Corps.” She began as a counselor for eight years before advancing to a senior administrator role.
Despite her time in San Jose, Ohare still lived here, in Pittsburg.
Eventually, she found an opportunity to return home to Los Medanos College, where her journey began. “I’m from here so it was really nice to come home,” Ohare said.
She officially started at LMC in fall 2022. When asked why she returned, she emphasized her desire to give back. “I thought I’m already doing this work. I would rather do it in the community that I came from that gave to me. I want to give back,” Ohare said.
While her work focuses on helping students, Ohare also has personal hobbies outside of campus. “I love games, outside of here that is my passion. I play bingo on a regular basis and have a huge collection of various games.” she said. One of her favorites is Monopoly, which she appreciates for its teaching element. “When I visited the birth home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I saw a monopoly board game from his youth. Like the game of Monopoly, Martin Luther King Jr.’s parents and my parents wanted to instill the importance of being financially responsible and owning your own property,” Ohare said.
Ohare also volunteers through her church and assists others in discovering purpose with many opting to serve in the compassion ministry that donates food items to the LMC Marketplace. “The same thing I do here is the same thing I do at church and what I’m doing at church is the same thing I do in my community.” she said.
For Ohare, everything comes full circle. Her passion for helping others has guided her. From her early days as a student worker and later taking classes at LMC, she found her way back. This was solely because of her gratification towards the passion and goals she has always had.
She hopes students feel comfortable coming to her when they need support, only when she’s not in a meeting of course. Her compassion and empathy continue to shape her work in the Basic Needs program and helping students at Los Medanos College. Sitting on her desk is the original name tag she received when she first began at LMC, a reminder of where she started and why she continues to give back.
